Beautiful space, worthy of yor next event. I wasn't awareof this place and maybe you aren't either so check it out. oh and apparently they have concerts sometimes. read more

WOW oh man.........this fest was awesome! I didnt know what to expect from the Polski fest when we were heading up there, I just knew I wanted to go because the Polska people are awesome! Of course my liver was on life support from the previous 2 days of punding booze....BUT I had to hit that OKOCIM!!! Nothing like GAmBLING..............Yes I was gambling Out in the open with other polskis! an we were all drinking Okocim! and of course I have no clue how they do it but they got booze going till 10:45 pm!!! NO OTHER fest in the city does this! hell by 9pm there was a alot of drunk polskis running around! good times ohhh yesssss And the GAMBLING! unreal!!!! Polska people you are all awesome! Polski fest will be an annual thing for me! Jin kulla Kojam PIVO!!! read more

My favorite fest of the year by far. I may be jaded since I am polish but I think this fest is by far one of my favorites. The music is usually pretty good and there are usually lots of options. The food is the real reason to go and the polish combination plates are something that I can't live without. Today I ordered one combo plate devoured it then got a second one to take home for a later meal. The sausage, pierogi, potato pancake, and slaw make the perfect combination. I also enjoy going into the Copernicus center and either watching a cooking demonstration or a polish play. Usually we are going into the center to get cool but this year it was to get out of the wind. They don't have rides but do have carnival games and some stands selling polish items. I will never miss this fest. read more

Beautiful, beautiful theatre. Spectacular even...

Being an American mutt, but new to the neighborhood, I couldn't NOT go to the biggest fest in my area. Started on Friday night (which is when we went) and ended on Monday. Admission: "Suggested donation" of $6/each, kids under 12 (I think) were free. My hubby saw a sign in the ticket booth saying, "If someone hassles you about the admission, just give them a ticket." On our way out, the ticket taker / security guy asked if we were coming back tonight and I replied no, but maybe the next day. He replied, "Oh sorry, that's another $6." Thanks bud. Food: Good mix of Polish food, but as someone else mentioned, a little pricey. But hey, it is a festival. We spent about $15 for a combo plate and some extra pierogis, which fed the two of us, with a few bites taken by my finicky toddlers. Overall, really yummy stuff. Music: Lucky us, we were there on "Disco Polo" day, which we correctly assumed to be Polish Disco. Sat down at the only open table around to eat and we soon experienced the genre...at about jet-plane decibels. Quickly ate and wandered over to the "oompa band" - more traditional music that was a bit more palatable to our and our kids' ears. Topped off the evening by seeing an Elvis impersonator, complete with a trio of backup chick singers. My husband rolled his eyes, but I LOVE this stuff. Games / Booths: Variety of stuff, from lots of banks to colleges to the requisite phone service vendors. Plus tons of Polish t-shirts, flags, mugs, etc. Few carny games - we played one with our toddler and he won a little animal, the guy was really nice. Summary: Not sure it was worth $12 for us to experience about an hour of Polish music and walk through vendors to buy Polish food (when I can get it at half-dozen restaurants in the area.) BUT, I did get a flyer saying that early afternoons - noon to 3, I think, were free, and it seems like there were bands playing all day, so next year, that will be the plan. read more

Went to kadim al saher on Friday, theater in pretty but the acoustics were terrible and the seats were terrible. The extra star is for cleanliness and decor. Would definitely NOT go back! read more

I had my daughter's baptism party there. Great people to work with, everything came out beautiful. read more

The Copernicus Center - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good place for concerts and plays however security in the place is terrible. People leave their seats during the concert and go to the front of the stage and nobody stops them or ask them to go back to their seats. People jump on the stage and scare the performers. Something terrible is going to happen one of this days if they do not get more security. read more

I'm a little late in writing this, but I want to say Taste of Polonia is pure, 100% unaltered Chicago. I've gone several times over years (including this year), even though I have not a single drop of Polish blood in me. However, I always say that if you've lived in Chicago for a certain period of time you'll eventually have Polish friend or two. Or, as in my own case, enough to teach me how to swear, sing "Happy Birthday" and order food in Polish..... This year's Taste was fun. On Saturday I afternoon I went with friends (four of us were 100% Italian and only one was Polish) and we thoroughly enjoyed the Elvis impersonator and the following Polka band. The food was good, and I really liked being able to buy a refillable plastic stein, even though Okocim was not available this year (available was some off-brand European beer that was forgettable). Also, don't forget to stop by the gift stands and get the latest DJ Marski CD, or sign up to win free Chicago Fire tickets. read more

Absolutely fabulous cultural center and entertainment venue! This place hosts multiple festivals throughout the year, including Taste of Polonia and Ecuadorian fest. Additionally, they host concerts, movies and other entertainment in their 2000-seat historic (and gorgeous) auditorium. They even hosted President Obama a couple of years ago, when immigration issues were front and center. At one time, it was a palatial movie venue (The Gateway Theater): the most important theater in the neighborhood, and it's beautifully preserved. There are multiple, large rooms for rental here for parties and events of all kinds; all are decorated well with modern amenities, and they have several bars. They also have hosted events here to benefit the local community and surrounding areas. There's a large parking lot there, but it's located right next to the Jefferson Park Blue Line stop, the JP Metra stop, and multiple bus lines so it's extremely accessible. Many folks will reference this place as the 'linchpin' of Jefferson Park, due to its broad appeal, historic integrity, and famous facade, replicating the Royal Castle in Warsaw. read more

Apparently the Pierogi fest in Whiting, IN is better...Even if you can't take your beer outside of the bar area. And for some reason, it's always cold for this festival. Anyway, this is the place to be for all things Polish...Food, beer, people, music, etc... read more

They use Ticketfly as the only option to buy tickets (online, over the phone and at the door). Ticketfly charge ridiculous amount of service fee $17 for $50 ticket. This is twice more as your typical Ticketmaster fee.What a way to support your local venues! read more

very small venue seats are good no matter where you are. nice decor looks like a small church onky problem i had was the seats were SUPER small. I'm a fat person so i was basically touching the person next to me. chairs were the size of metal folding chairs and were right next to each other. went for a concert and sound was good. i even got good pictures and i sat in the balcony read more

This was a really great place to see a concert. The sound was great - the architecture was great to look at. I don't think there was a bad seat in the house. The workers/security were great too. I would definitely come here again. read more

I caught the Magic of Christmas dance and music concert here on my birthday and it was great family entertainment. The Polish community really comes together for these presentations and the Christmas performances were really well done. I was able to attend two other dance concerts here in 2010, one during the Taste of Polonia. The theater is well-maintained and I haven't found a bad seat in the house yet. read more

This has become my fave street fair in Chicago. Three stages, Okochim beer everywhere (not my favorite but better than the standard Bud), and food that is outta this world. You can see polka bands, polish jam bands, and modern rock cover bands all in one square block, and do it while downing some top-notch polish sausage, perogis, and blintzes. And make no mistake, this is still a predominantly Polish festival...you're gettin' the real deal here. read more

I saw my friend have his first MMA fight here and I have no complaints. I don't know if it was the right venue for MMA fighting, but it got the job done. It would make for a great concert venue. It is in much better shape than most Chicago venues. I don't know if they have any shows here that I'd be interested in seeing, but if they did I'd be here in a heartbeat. read more

I've been going to Taste of Polonia since I was a little kid and I've never had a bad time. Plus, Dezerter played a few years ago. DEZERTER! Sadly, I missed them, because I found out a week later, but still... legendary Polish hardcore band from the 1980s in Jefferson Park. I can get behind that. read more

Came here last night for the opening night of the polish film festival. It was my first time at this theater although I've been to this festival many times. The theater is gorgeous and rather large. I felt very classy. Also they serve famous traditional polish beer, okocim at the snack counter as well as other famous polish delicacy nachos with cheese! read more

Be transported to a street festival in Poland but won't leave Cook County. Don't miss Taste of Polonia. It's a great respite from the McFestivals that take place all over the north side. Venture to the northwest side and enjoy a place where English is a second language. Immerse yourself in great food and beer. read more

Just moved into neighborhood - and wanted to give it a try. $7 dollars in my opinion is a bit HIGH for a neighborhood fest - not knowing what you are going to get for your money. Also don't advertise the charge as a donation - if MUST pay the fee to enter. read more

Great place for a concert parking is an issue but that's at any,concert.. Do not park your car on cvs pharmacy next door they will told you they have people watching and the calling towing on you read more

The Copernicus Center is a little dated place, old and semi-comfortable seats, small lobby where all the people are squeezed in front of the gates to the theater. However, low price and free parking makes it a good place to see some Polish acts or concerts. In fact it is the only place in Chicago of that type. Just came back from one show and let me comment on the artists, sound and lights - great. I wasn't expecting much more for the price. Nice to hear something in my own language. Five stars for that. Let me comment the audience - a lot of Polish douchebags .. I am disappointed with some of them a lot. Drunk within 30 minutes, bringing more and more drinks throughout the entire show blocking the view and making noise. Loud nasty comments, using "Polish-Latin" "k" and "ch" words in each sentence, yelling to the artists and most of all not stopping their own "show" when asked politely by all people around to do so. In my own language we call them BURAKI or BYDLO. VERY DISAPPOINTED. You are good in raising dry walls guys and you ladies are good in cleaning toilets and please stick to that. Zero stars for you buraki. I hope you see this comment some day. Cheers! read more

I've come here a couple times for a friend's professional MMA events. I'd only known the Copernicus to be for concerts, dance, and art-related occasions, but I was wrong. From the outside, I was pretty skeptical of what the inside would be. To put in lamens terms, it looked sketchy to me. But I was proven wrong once I got inside. The auditorium space is very large and has beautiful structure. A huge balcony are with more seating overlooks the rear. The stage itself is fairly sized. The lobby area is pretty large too, with a bar area to order drinks, and a winding staircase behind it to enter the upper levels of the Copernicus; very nice. The event was great both times (and my friend won his bout both times) so I left with no complaints. read more

Great sound and visibility, and some of the most breathtakingly ugly art and interior design on planet Earth. Truly amazing and worth seeing. Wow. The Vatican of kitsch. read more

I wish they had a choice for no stars at all, because this place is absolutely filthy no Air condition, seats are very tight , no cup holder , not worth it at all !!!! read more

I have been here before several times for my niece's dance recitals. On Saturday night I went to see a concert, Beata Bajm with my girlfriend and I have to say the music was awesome and as the Copernicus Center is a small venue, every seat is a good seat and close to the stage. I would come back for a concert in the future!! read more

We finally made it up to chicago for the Taste of Polonia (Indy IN)...Being a "SKI" it was great! One of the best Fest's in the country in my opinion. Good beer, Good food, Good Music, Etc. The people were nice and we plan to go again next year! I lost track of how many Stawski's I had...lol! read more

I love the Taste of Polonia but really, really MISS THE BINGO! Why did they stop offering that? It was a great way for us to stay and spend MORE money, have a beer, eat some food. Even if they lost money on bingo, I know we spent a lot more on food and drinks when we had some fun, easy, sit-down entertainment. We will still be going to Taste of Polonia, but not staying as long as we did when bingo was part of the plan. (And, no, Nick's Big Casino is not a comparable option.) See you there for a couple hours this weekend! read more

Randy K. 9/3/2012 This event has become a Cash Cow instead of a Polish Fest. Parking is a Rip Off it Cost $20.00. Then when you enter to get into the Fest to buy Food they ask for $7.00 per person and you still have not had a Beer or a Pierogi yet. You have already spent $40 Save your Money next year and go to one of the many local Polish restuarants in the area and Dine for 1/2 as much !!!! OR Check out the Pierogi Festival in Whiting, Ind in July No Entry Fee 5X the Variety Parking is $5.00 read more

We were really excited to see this band at Copernicus Center and we purchased tickets 3 months in advance to get front row seating. Everything seemed fine till the band started playing. At that time everybody from the back came up to the stage and blocked us from seeing anything. My child was pushed and jumped on by uncontrolled fans. All exit areas were blocked. During the intermission we went to the security officer with a complaint but he couldn't do anything and admitted that he got yelled at by the management for going on stage and trying to control the crowd from claiming on the stage and throwing beer. We asked for the manager, we were told that her name is Anna and here we got even bigger shocker. She was rude, unpleasant and disrespectful. She had a big group of complaining and concerned people in a front of her and she couldn't care less. When I told her about the fire hazard and exits being blocked, she laughed and when I told her that in American theater this would never happen, she said that we don't have to come here, that we can go see American shows instead. This was a huge disappointment and believe me, this place lost a lot of clients that day. The band was great but the whole experience was absolutely awful because of neglect and bad management. That's how tradition dies. read more

Yesterday I attended a concert at copernicus for a polish star Maryla Rodowicz. It was by far the worst experience I ever had. They offered VIP tickets for 100 dollars each which included open bar, balcony seats and most importantly meeting and pictures with the star. First, open bar only consisted of beer and wine, drinks were extra which was not mentioned. Second, after the concert was over Maryla started giving autographs to people who were standing in line which were the people that paid 50 dollars for no special offers. The staff told us to wait in a seperate room till she is finished and she will come to the room and we will be able to hang out with her and take pictures. She finished autographing and disappeared after. We were then told that Maryla is tired and is unable to come out to see the VIP crowd and to come back tomorrow for an autograph and picture. Needless to say, we paid double for tickets and we didn't get a picture nor an autograph but yet the people who paid half as much got all of that. Copernicus was just in for the money I'm definately never going back there again for them to steal my money. Organization of events is absolutely terrible and they have no idea how to make an event successful. read more

Events are great, but there is no one to answer the phone and when you come in and ask questions, employees don't speak English because they are Polish(?). read more

My husband and I just got married this past weekend at the Copernicus Center Annex and it was a great experience. We initially worked with a young lady named Dominika, but she was promoted so we then started to work with Erick. Erick was very friendly, personable, professional, and always responded to my emails in a timely manner. He made this whole experience very pleasant, because planning a wedding is stressful enough. We communicated mainly via email and he answered every questioned I asked. I was unsure of what we were allowed to do in the Annex, such as hanging décor but he made everything very clear and was also accommodating. After our wedding, Erick called me to follow up. I highly recommend the Copernicus Center for any event and Erick is phenomenal to work with. read more

Still a pretty good festival for the waining days of Summer. Yet my biggest complaint was the fencing off of the Lipps & Ainslie entrance. And the strategy of walking uphill & entering to the other side. Gee, They're not very mindful. Especially if there would be some less agile patrons, Or God forbid some more severe handicap cases. Yet nevertheless, The fest is STILL a treat. read more

Here for a "Girls Night In" show with YouTubers. We paid for VIP tickets & were told to be here between 3:30-4. If we were late they wouldn't let us in. It is now 4:17pm and its raining and they won't let anyone in the building. THIS IS TGE LAST TINE I COME TO AN EVENT HERE!!! read more

Perhaps the best ethnic fest in the city. It has everything. Five stages, one inside a huge traditional theater (air conditioned if you need to beat the heat). Also inside a bar that takes cash instead of coupons, and a casino. Entertainment includes your usual tribute bands, ethnic Polish bands, Polish dancers, and even Polish videos. A large number of Polish food vendors, beer tents serving strong Polish beer, and a shot tent where you can get a cherry or honey liquor. Potent stuff. People talked about the refill cups this year but we did an ounce by ounce analysis of the cost and the refill cup is not a deal. To put it simpley the plastic cups hold a couple ounces more than the refill mug. You pay extra to get the mug and everytime you get a refill you're paying extra for that souvenir mug because you are getting less beer for the same price as a throw away cup. I guess the mug is greener. If you really want a mug just hang around towards the close of day and you should find some lost by the drunks. And speaking of drunks it can get a bit crazy or maybe its me. I had to deck a jerk who was getting a little out of hand. But after he got up he just laughed, apologized and bought me a shot and a beer. Yeah I was drunk too. read more