To be young and Polish on a summer evening

Lidia Sobierajski has possibly the coolest job held by any young professional in Milwaukee. At the tender age of 34, she’s Director of Polish Fest, the nation’s largest Polish cultural festival. That having been said, it’s among the smaller of the often-Titanic ethnic festivals that descend upon the Maier Grounds in the summer, drawing diverse crowds from all over the country. That’s a shame, because in addition to truly exposing our city’s proud Polish cultural traditions to those unfortunate enough to never have lived on the South or East sides, Polish Fest is not only a great time, but the first cultural festival of the summer. It also has the benefit of being a bit less crowded, for those of us who prefer traversing the park from end to end in less than two hours. At least that’s the case for now, unless Lidia has her way.

The daughter of Polish immigrants (her father came to the U.S. after WWII), Lidia Sobierajski grew up in Milwaukee immersed in both her parents’ native culture and her own American lifestyle. A classically trained musician with a degree in Mathematics and Piano Performance/Pedagogy from Alverno College, she and her sister approached Polish Fest’s organizers in 1998 to hold a Chopin youth piano competition. It’s been a great success, and in 2004 she realized her dream of overseeing the entire festival. “I felt like I had a million ideas,” she explains, “and thought that if I was just given the chance, I could help Polish Fest grow.”

And so, armed with a mission and leading an army of dedicated volunteers, Lidia is working day and night to craft a new image for Polish Fest.

Seated in the conference room of the Polish Heritage Alliance’s gorgeous new center in Franklin, Lidia looks more like an intern than an executive – but the resemblance is only skin deep. Dressed in black pants and a black t-shirt with POLISH FEST emblazoned in rhinestones across the chest, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed young woman bristles with energy and intelligence as she relates all Polish Fest has to offer. She’s the real deal, and under her guidance Polish Fest may just come into its own in its 26th year.

Musically, the fest is known mostly for polka, native folk music and cultural dance demonstrations. This is an important element of a genuine cultural festival, and Polish Fest will always remain true to its mission (unlike a few others that shall remain nameless). After all, it just wouldn’t be Polish Fest without Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra or the Polish Connection on the Non-Stop Polka Stage. And then there’s the often underrated (though actually quite delicious) food that will always be a mainstay. But Lidia has been slipping in new stuff, geared toward a younger crowd, as well as running vodka and spirit tastings through Stawski Imports that feature some of Eastern Europe’s finest offerings.

This year, Friday is the night for the young to come out, with the return of the Marszalek Chicago Band (8 p.m.) and Anya (6 p.m.) on the Miller Stage. Both acts are rousing good examples of true Euro-pop; not the stuff we hear on mainstream radio or have spoon-fed to us by American major labels. This is the genuine article, with fog machines, synthesizers and shouting, heartfelt original lyrics like “I’m a motorcycle girl just looking for a motorcycle boy!” and covers of lost classics like “Hopelessly Dezaled to You.” It’s 50-cent Friday until 5 p.m., where half a buck will get you in the door and leave more in your pocket for pierogi and czarnina. After 5 on Friday, entry is just $5, with one of those soon-to-be-legendary vodka tastings at 8 p.m., where just $10 puts the flavors of six amazing vodkas, meads and even a liqueur (Krupnik!) on your palette. Not the vodka type? A nice glass of wine and the obligatory Miller beers are also available in abundance. As the evening entertainment wraps, cozy in for the fireworks, always a lakefront summer treat.

The Chopin Youth Piano Competition will probably always be Lidia’s personal favorite thing about Polish Fest. “The Chopin competition is my baby,” she says, “and it’s been fun to see it grow.” It’s a fitting element to this well-rounded presentation of Polish culture, whose role in forming our city’s identity is worth embracing. After all, who else has brought us such diverse offerings as incredible classical composers and painters, kielbasa and the chicken dance? VS

The 26th annual Polish Fest celebration takes place Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24, 2007, at the Henry Maier Festival Grounds on Milwaukee’s lakefront. VITAL Source will give away tickets to the festival and the Stawski tastings through our eNews (subscribe at vitalsourcemag.com) and myspace (myspace.com/vitalsource). More information on the festival at polishfest.org.