The Boulder Junction Pubic Library presents Greg Slomka, performing Polish songs by Staszek Staszewski on Tuesday, September 17, 7:00 pm, at the Boulder Junction Community Center.

Greg began playing in public when he was at the university but he had a long break. It was two summers ago that he got talked into singing at an open mic at Little Brown Jug in Minocqua and he liked it.

Greg is a citizen of Poland and the U.S. He’s been here for the past 23 years and this is his third summer in Boulder Junction.

Greg will sing songs by Staszek Staszewski and will say a little about what each song is about because translations don’t give them justice.

Greg got interested in playing the guitar during a campfire party at his uncle’s house. There was a girl playing and singing and he liked them both – the girl and the music – So he asked her to show him some chords. The girl is long gone from his life but music never left.

Greg likes to play all kinds of songs, pop, rock, country and even disco but Staszek’s songs have been with him since high school. Greg has had many jobs and currently he tends bar at Smokey’s in Manitowish Waters.

Staszek Staszewski (1925-1973) was a Polish architect, poet, and bard. He is the author of many songs and ballads. Virtually unknown during his lifetime, Staszewski’s songs became popular in late 1970s and 1980s thanks to Jacek Kaczmarski, who performed a number of them during his concerts. Staszewski’s son, Kazik, and his rock band, Kult, published two records (Tata Kazika and Tata 2) with his father’s songs in new arrangements.

This program is free and open to all. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call the library at 715-385-2050.