{"id":5611,"date":"2024-07-09T11:35:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T09:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/?p=5611"},"modified":"2024-07-09T11:35:11","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T09:35:11","slug":"a-rock-and-roll-place-with-soul-and-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/a-rock-and-roll-place-with-soul-and-tradition\/","title":{"rendered":"A rock and roll place with soul and tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An interview with Sebastian Fyda \u2013 the owner and Anna Chudzik \u2013 the manager of Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka Rock & Roll Cafe on\u00a0challenges related to running an iconic rock and blues club of over 40 years of tradition. The club brings together outstanding people: musicians, poets and artists. It is located in the middle of\u00a0the picturesque Silesian Park, located on the border of Chorz\u00f3w and Katowice and which is a biodiversity reserve. Sebastian Fyda has just obtained the title of the Leader by Vocation<\/em>, and Anna Chudzik was\u00a0nominated for the title\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Charismatic Woman.<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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Sebastian Fyda at Congress Lider z powo\u0142ania 2023, september, Muzeum Zamkowe w Pszczynie<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Sebastian, when did you become the owner of this magical place?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Sebastian Fyda:<\/strong> In June 2020. It is the only club on Silesian Trail of Blues that has survived for 40 years and, except for renovation times, has never been closed. Even before the pandemic, the club was in a\u00a0desperate situation, in debt and underfunded. Marcin B\u0105k took over the management of the club already in a\u00a0trying situation and despite his huge effort it was almost impossible to overcome the difficulties. Bringing this place to life, getting to the first league of clubs required a\u00a0lot of work and money. During the pandemic we didn\u2019t have much scope for improvement. We didn\u2019t receive a\u00a0penny, the shield programmes required proving financial losses that incurred in a\u00a0year, and as a\u00a0new company, founded to cut off the past, we hadn\u2019t operated for a\u00a0full year yet. The concerts were subject to absurd restrictions: it was possible to organise a\u00a0\u201cseated\u201d event on the premises, however \u201cnon-seated\u201d events allowed only 10 or a\u00a0dozen people to enter. A\u00a0music band performed at the stadium in Cz\u0119stochowa, they could let 200 people in, but two hours after their concert there was a\u00a0match and the stadium was half full, i.e. 1,500 people entered it! The same location, the same day, and completely different criteria. Nobody cared about the music industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you cope?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

SF:<\/strong> I\u00a0was and I\u00a0still am paying for it from my own pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You took over Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka at the beginning of the pandemic, did you organise any events then?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

SF:<\/strong> I\u00a0took it over just before the closure of the gastronomy. Between July and September we managed to orgsnise a\u00a0couple of shows. We are open from Thursday to Sunday \u2013 due to the location in the middle of the forest area and at a\u00a0considerable distance from the main park promenades, it is impossible to run the club any other way. We maintain rock vibes. Everyone can perform here, but disco polo and similar trends are not accepted, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are an IT specialist and a\u00a0musician, when did you become interested in music?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

SF: <\/strong>On a\u00a0daily basis, I\u00a0am a\u00a0computer systems architect specialising in cloud computing. I\u00a0cooperate with global Microsoft and its local branches. I\u00a0come from Wroc\u0142aw and during my school years there while I\u00a0was getting to know punk, rock and metal, I\u00a0learned to play the guitar. First, I\u00a0played in a\u00a0punk band, and then it was time for metal, but I\u00a0consider myself a\u00a0busker rather than a\u00a0musician. That\u2019s just how it is when it comes to honing my skills \u2013 having so many tasks to do\u00a0it\u2019s hard for me to find both time and motivation to achieve virtuosity. One of my hobbies is painting battle figures, I\u2019m decent at it, but I\u2019ll never excel. The same happens in my professional life \u2013 I\u00a0graduated from the Wroc\u0142aw University of Science and Technology, I\u00a0received tools, but you can find a\u00a0much better architect, programmer, and manager than me, but my strong point is the ability to combine many areas at a\u00a0sufficiently good level to achieve a\u00a0unique position in the job market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a\u00a0Foundation, can you raise funds for Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka\u2019s activities?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

SF: <\/strong>We established the foundation to be able to implement activities that cannot be implemented by the company. We want Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka to be not only a\u00a0place where people come for a\u00a0concert and to grab a\u00a0beer, but also to be a\u00a0place that pursues other goals. The main one is of course cultural activities, but we also promote knowledge and activities if favor of ecology, natural environment, animal protection and protection of the natural heritage. The \u201cTemu Misiu\u201d festival, during which we collect money for wildlife conservation, has already been held here six times. During the last one Ellisiv, Agnis, Rosegarden, Anja Orthodox, Moleskin and Dark Side Eons performed on our stage. We support and invite charities related to animal adoption and helping animal shelters and we combine all that with music. We have many ideas for social pro-ecological initiatives. However, we are just getting started in terms of raising funds and preparing documents, because we don\u2019t have enough processing capacity to handle everything at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paulina Pawlik, owner of the Balaton restaurant and Sebastian Fyda, Andrzej Domrza\u0142’s band in the background<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are your plans and dreams?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

SF:<\/strong> Get some sleep (laughter). I\u00a0really have a\u00a0lot of work to do. Several months ago, I\u00a0moved to Siemianowice \u015al\u0105skie, so it\u2019s a\u00a0bit easier now, earlier I\u00a0had to commute a\u00a0long way from Warsaw almost every weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do\u00a0you re-charge your batteries?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

SF: <\/strong>I\u00a0am an avid Warhammer player and I\u00a0collect wargaming miniatures, so \u201crelaxing model making\u201d is what gives me pleasure and satisfaction and a\u00a0bit of relaxation. But interestingly enough, after a\u00a0whole week of various meetings, coming to Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka for 13 hours of work on the premises or at a\u00a0grill also allows me to rest. Especially mentally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anna Chudzik in front of Les\u0301niczo\u0301wka<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Ania, were you born a\u00a0charismatic woman?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Anna Chudzik: <\/strong>I\u00a0don\u2019t know, the circumstances of my birth were definitely charismatic. My mother was on holiday in Bia\u0142a near P\u0142ock and gave birth in a\u00a0local convent, thanks to help of the nuns. I\u00a0was told that because of this I\u00a0will become a\u00a0nun or a\u00a0businesswoman, the latter has come true. I\u00a0live in Chorz\u00f3w, while my family, parents and grandparents, come from the Zakopane area. So I\u00a0had a\u00a0highlander upbringing at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When did you start \u201cfeeling\u201d music?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

AC:<\/strong> It was noticed already in the kindergarten that I\u00a0had musical talent. My mother signed me up for music school, my dream was to play the violin. It didn\u2019t work out, they enrolled me to piano classes, which unfortunately was not my passion at that time. It lasted a\u00a0year. The second adventure with music began in secondary school. At the age of 18 I\u00a0started Calladorn band with my boyfriend, who attended music school, played the electric guitar and composed music. He said that I\u00a0sang well and in a\u00a0couple of days he prepared me for the exam for the second-degree music school. I\u00a0started vocal studies. At that time, I\u00a0was singing rock. I\u00a0even had a\u00a0brush for this reason with the classical singing teacher, because different methods of singing and bright vocal tones were required at her classes. She could always recognise when I\u00a0was in rehearsal and said my voice is scratchy and of dark timbre. Calladorn existed for 10years. We played mainly at folk festivals, because it was folk metal \/ melodic metal, we even performed at Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka. We composed many songs, but, as my boyfriend constantly wanted to improve and try new things, they were never recorded. Maybe I\u00a0will use this material one day because I\u00a0am actually planning to return to singing.
After graduating I\u00a0went to the singing and ballet school in Gliwice. I\u00a0graduated in artistic education in the field of visual arts, graphics and painting in Cieszyn. I\u00a0paint more now, I\u00a0like to focus on vivid colours, I\u00a0am interested in surrealism. I\u00a0have recently graduated in graphic design and game design from G\u00f3rno\u015bl\u0105ska Wy\u017csza Szko\u0142a Przedsi\u0119biorczo\u015bci w\u00a0Chorzowie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you tell us about your professional career path?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

AC:<\/strong> Years ago, I\u00a0founded Passiflora \u2013 Art Studio, where I\u00a0renovated custom-made furniture, created visuals and artistic jewellery. I\u00a0cooperated with ELB Silk, for which I\u00a0painted scarves, room screens and paintings on silk. Then I\u00a0worked briefly as a\u00a0manager at the Variete Club in Katowice, but we didn\u2019t get along with the owner. Then, as a\u00a0graphic designer, I\u00a0worked for the Straszny Dw\u00f3r music club and the Rycerski Restaurant and Hotel. Finally, Rafa\u0142 Fortuna, the previous owner, invited me to work for Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have been the manager here for 10 years, what gave you the greatest satisfaction?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

AC: <\/strong>Working here gives me a\u00a0great pleasure because it brings many challenges. At the beginning, I\u00a0took care of everything, I\u00a0was the manager of the place, I\u00a0planned and organised artistic repertoire: concerts, stand-ups, burlesque shows and corporate events. When Sebastian became the owner, he helped me with many things. Now Igor is the manager of the premises, he is responsible for internal organisation and scheduling external workers and cleaning. Sebastian watches over finances, documents and operational things. I\u00a0prepare the artistic programmes, create the monthly repertoire.
I\u00a0contact artists and prepare offers for companies. We are mainly focused on artistic activities, but if a\u00a0company asks us to organise an event, we are happy to do\u00a0it, as well. We can organise parties for 100 people. We organise concerts for 180 people in the club room, for 350 people in the tent and 999 people in the outdoor premises. We organised a\u00a0series of open-air concerts last summer in connection with the 40th anniversary of Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka. My tasks also include promotion. We advertise mainly through social media, posters, the internet and radio. We bought several billboards and banners for the club\u2019s anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are you most proud of?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

AC:<\/strong> I\u00a0am most proud of the fact that I\u00a0had the pleasure of working at Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka with many wonderful artists and meeting amazing, passionate people \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your plans?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

AC:<\/strong> Obviously the New Years Eve party! At the beginning of 2024 we will host one of the WO\u015aP concerts and the third edition of the Slavic Culture Festival. Practically every weekend brings 2-3 gig. When it comes to my private life, I\u00a0am going to become a\u00a0mother soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Les\u0301niczowka, 1985<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Les\u0301niczo\u0301wka, 2022<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka. A\u00a0legendary place in Silesia<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka Rock\u2019n\u2019RollCafe\u00a0club in\u00a0Chorz\u00f3w celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are places in the world that are said to have a\u00a0soul. Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka, whose colorful history has been reverberating for almost 40 years, is certainly among them. But what is this spirit? Of course, it is not the building itself, hidden in the thicket of the Silesian Park. The true spirit of Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka are amazing, talented people. Great artists who transformed the neglected walls into an indisputable legend together. Exactly 40 years ago, the Silesian Jazz Club\u2019s Creative Work House was established and quickly became a\u00a0haven for the rebellious arts of various Muses. Quoting \u201cLe\u015bnicz\u00f3wka Blues\u201d by Andrzej Matysik, for some time Teatr Wizji i\u00a0Ruchu from Lublin had its home base here, Jerzy Bi\u0144czycki made his etude \u201eGo\u0142\u0119biarz\u201d here, and the club\u2019s interior and surroundings were used by Kazimierz Kutz and Janusz Kidawa and the authors of various music videos.
After dozens of hours of rehearsals and jam sessions, the sound and image of the legendary Young Power Orchestra was shaped. Throughout the 1980s, the club was a\u00a0kind of refuge for the unwanted at that time generations of musicians associated with the \u201cSilesian Sound\u201d. Only in Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka it was possible to listen to Roman \u201cPazur\u201d Wojciechowski, Irek Dudek, Leszek Winder, Jan Janowski,
Andrzej Urny, it was here that the legendary SBB honed its form. The album \u201cModlitwa bluesmana w\u00a0poci\u0105gu\u201d was recorded here. It was thanks to the Silesian blues-rock community that Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka came to life:
After Rawa Blues, we were announced to go on a\u00a0trip. Where? That\u2019s a\u00a0surprise. We are going to Chorz\u00f3w. The bus turns into a\u00a0narrow street leading deep into the famous park. We get off in front of a\u00a0crumbling small building with no doors or windows. But there\u2019s plenty of space inside and a\u00a0wonderful fireplace. Next year it will be the Silesian Jazz Association\u2019s Silesian Jazz Club\u2019s Creative Work House, the club and lots of blues. For now there is this shed and a\u00a0lot of willingness to work! That night an extraordinary trio played there: Leszek Winder \u2013 guitar, Irek Dudek and Ryszard Skibi\u0144ski on harmonicas\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Na Prze\u0142aj \u201cBlues na\u00a0trawie\u201d,
May 1983<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first day \u2013 a\u00a0group photo of musicans, May, 1983<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Was there only room for one genre of music in Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka? Of course not! Despite the name \u201cHouse of Creative Work of the Silesian Jazz Club Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka\u201d, there was no question of limiting it or stifling freedom. This is how Roman Kostrzewski and Irek Loth remembered this place:
Our first contact was outstanding. We played in various places, including Pa\u0142ac M\u0142odzie\u017cy. It was fun, just limited time to work. We came to rehearsal for 2 hours twice a\u00a0week. This is not enough to develop. Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka gave us this comfort. Come every day. Whenever you want. In the morning, at night, it doesn\u2019t matter when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Collage \u2013 Tent Stage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Decapitated \u2013 Summer Stage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Moyra \u2013 Summer Stage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Percival Schuttenbach \u2013 Summer Stage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tides From Nebula \u2013 Summer Stage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


We \u2013 basically metal music fans \u2013 with musicians such as Winder, Kawalec, Skrzek, Urny etc., learned about some of the secrets of playing blues. [\u2026] In this environment, I\u00a0quickly learned how to communicate. Music fellowship. This is something completely different than when a\u00a0star comes on stage and gives a\u00a0freaking show. You could feel that Silesian blues was the winner.\u201d
\u201cThere were amazing moments while playing music together\u2026 Everyone wished it had been recorded. Everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Today, despite the ups and downs, better and leaner years for rock\u2019n\u2019roll, Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka tries to continue the tradition, being the only club on the Silesian Trail of Blues that operates continuously (except for minor renovation breaks) from the beginning of its existence. It probably is the oldest rock club in Poland. It is changing just like the world around us. New artistic forms, such as stand-up and burlesque, appear, but good old jam sessions are still doing great.
Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka celebrated its 40th anniversary with a\u00a0bang. There was rock, both classical and progressive, there was also blues. There was a\u00a0lot of metal, folk music and a\u00a0lot for Punk Rock lovers, as well. All these events, from May 13th to June 24th, were unique and will remain in participants\u2019 memories for a\u00a0long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Today, Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka is mainly about its guests. Those who remember the old days, those who spent their youth here, skipping school, but also those who are discovering the legend of Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka and its atmosphere and will stay for many years to come. Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka is also big names that have been and still are at the club \u2013 Piotr Kupicha (Feel) started his career here. We hosted Male\u0144czuk, Skiba, Durczok, Jakubik. Bands Vader, Decapitated, Hunter, KSU, Deserter, Army, Closterkeller, FlapJack, ACID Drinkers, Turbo, Night Lover, Percival Schuttenbach, Lipali, KAT & Roman Kostrzewski, VooDoo, TSA, Proletaryat, Breakout, The Analogs, Another Pink Floyd and many, many others that simply cannot be mentioned at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka also gives opportunities to young artists and smaller performers today. There is Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka\u2019s Open Stage, where once every few weeks bands representing various trends of rock can perform and practise their skills completely free of charge. Of course, there is a\u00a0certain selection, but thanks to this, regular guests of the club, coming to a\u00a0concert of an unknown to them performers are guaranteed excellent quality, artistry of the band, and well-spent time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka has three stages \u2013 the club stage for 170 people, a\u00a0heated tent stage for 350 people and a\u00a0large summer stage, set up in front of the main building, which can accommodate 999 people. The club also organises wedding receptions, birthday parties, special and private events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The beer garden at the back of the club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The bar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The club\u2019s interior<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Unfortunately, despite the enormous effort put into revitalising this place, despite restoring it largely to its former glory and returning it to the \u201cfirst league\u201d of music clubs in this part of Poland, the owners\u2019 financial capabilities have been exhausted. The pandemic and inflation prevented the implementation of many planned tasks. The building still needs funding \u2013 for example, the roof needs renovating. The sewer system also needs rehandling. The needs are endless and it\u2019s sad when a\u00a0place like this has a\u00a0hard time getting necessary public funds, and huge amounts are wasted on a\u00a0daily basis by politicians and corporations. The club is looking for sponsors and media partners who, just like the owners, will do\u00a0their best to maintain Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka, this huge piece of history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The beer garden in front of the club<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dorota Kolano, Beata Seku\u0142a<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An interview with Sebastian Fyda \u2013 the owner and Anna Chudzik \u2013 the manager of Le\u015bnicz\u00f3wka Rock & Roll Cafe on\u00a0challenges related to running an iconic rock and blues club of over 40 years of tradition. The club brings together outstanding people: musicians, poets and artists. It is located in the middle of\u00a0the picturesque Silesian […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5636,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1114],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5611"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5611"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5611\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5643,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5611\/revisions\/5643"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}