In honor of the first democratic constitution in Europe and second in the world only to the United States Constitution, Poles and Polonia all over the world celebrate Polish Constitution Day on or near May 3. Several musical activities that are open to the public are happening across the US. The festivities began on April 24 with a concert of Polish and Mexican Music presented by the Lira Singers and Cuerdas Clasicas String Ensemble in Downers Grove, Illinois. On May 1, the Łowiczanie Polish Folk Ensemble and the Polish-American Congress of No. California will also co-host a celebration at the Golden Gate Park Band Shell in San Francisco. The event will include performances by the Dancers of Łowiczanie Polish Folk Ensemble, Children of the John Paul II Polish Language School, Sokoly: A Łowiczanie Dance and Music Ensemble for Kids, and the Golden Gate Park Band, conducted by Michael Wirgler.

As part of the annual Constitution Day celebrations, the 125th annual Chicago Polish Constitution Day Parade will be held on May 7 along State Street, from Lake Street to Van Buren St. This annual tradition gathers thousands of people devoted to Polonia and Poland and expects to draw many more to the celebration via television broadcasts over various Polish TV stations. This year’s motto is 1050 Years of Poland and will honor Jan Krawiec as the 2016 Grand Marshall and Anna Maria Anders and Lucyna Migala as Vice-Marshalls. Following the parade, the Chicago Chopin Foundation will host a Polish Constitution Day Concert in the Chopin Garden in Grant Park, in which participants can enjoy raffles, a historical re-enactment in period costumes, and concerts by Jana Pavlovska and the rock band “Mastermind.”

Sunday, April 24, 2016 | 3:30 p.m.
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo and May 3rd Polish Constitution Day
Divine Savior Church
6700 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL
Tickets: Adults – $15 in advance; $20 at the door; children $5
Info: (630) 969-1532, ext. 121

Sunday, May 1, 2016 | 1:00 p.m.
Annual May 3rd Constitution Concert in Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park Band Shell, San Francisco, CA
Admission is FREE
Info: www.polishfolk.org

Saturday, May 7, 2016 | 11:30 a.m.
125th Annual Chicago Polish Constitution Day Parade

State St, Chicago, IL
Admission is FREE.
Info: may3parade.org

Saturday, May 7, 2016 | 2 p.m.
Grand Constitutional Concert

Chopin Garden, Grant Park, Chicago, IL
Admission is FREE
Info: chopingarden.com

[Source: press releases]