"The atmosphere is wonderful and the people are great. Since arriving, we have met more than 50 people," say Martyna Sidorowicz and Justyna Turek, BnB volunteers. This is their second time volunteering; two years ago, they helped organize the festival for the first time. "Everyone is polite and friendly. The instructors talk to us too. They come over, sit with us in the little office. It’s really great," Justyna adds. Volunteering is also a chance to make new acquaintances and lasting friendships. "Friendships from the workshops last longer. We have a friend whom we met two years ago. We visited him in Wrocław. He has also come to Bolesławiec this year," the girls explain.
It is clear that volunteering is not only enjoyable; it is also—sometimes hard—work. "We make a lot of coffee and a lot of tea. We carry equipment; the bass is the heaviest," say the friendly volunteers. As it turns out, however, even while carrying out their duties, the girls can count on the solidarity of festival participants. "When there is too much work and too few of us, everyone helps. The workshop participants make coffee for us," Martyna says with a smile. "But nothing will go missing here!" Justyna emphasizes. The volunteers have just found the handbag of a Dutch woman, one of the participants in the acoustic-guitar class.
"The workshops are very well organized. The conditions at the dormitory are also excellent," says Igor Smaruj, a 15-year-old guitarist from Zielona Góra. Igor began playing guitar when he was eight. He came to the blues workshops with his entire band—Uzanti. "Uzanti means language in Turkish," explains Jakub Dadyński, the band’s second guitarist. The group performs mainly in its hometown, though not exclusively. They play rock close to the work of bands such as Metallica and AC/DC. Their songs also contain elements of blues and funk. "We are still looking for our own style," Jakub admits.
Together with another resident of Zielona Góra, Dawid Gajewski, they are taking part in workshops in the electric-guitar class. Asked about his influences, Dawid replies: "There are many guitarists one admires: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Al di Meola." "But it is not only about speed or technique itself; it is also about the music. Bob Marley was great," Dawid diplomatically adds. "The instructors are great too," Igor adds—"They proved it at the jam session."
"It is good that this event has returned, because it is a real occasion," says guitarist Jacek Gmerek from Jelenia Góra. He is attending the BnB workshops for the second time. This time he came with his son, Piotr, who has been playing electric guitar for two years. "My friends will also come here to listen to the blues bands," Jacek Gmerek announces. "They do not play because they cannot, but they are blues enthusiasts," he adds.
"The workshop participants are happy. But I am practically never at home. My wife jokes that we will have to get divorced," laughs Łukasz Molak, treasurer of the Blues nad Bobrem Association and one of the festival organizers. The workshops are being held at the State Music School in Bolesławiec. "We must thank Krystyna Juszkiewicz, who gives us good advice and is like our good mother," the treasurer emphasizes. "Similar thanks are also due to the volunteers. They have done a great job," Łukasz Molak adds.
This year, because of a lack of interested participants, there will be no classes in the keyboard section. "We had doubts about the acoustic guitar, but some people transferred from electric guitar," Łukasz Molak says. The association is also considering organizing Hammond-organ workshops next year. It is still possible to register for the workshops. Of course, anyone who decides to join now will pay only for the classes they attend. Tickets for the final concert can also be purchased from today at the Perfekt Tourist and Artistic Services Office. The price has not changed—it is still only PLN 20.
Jam sessions take place every day at the Skafander club, sometimes lasting until as late as 3 a.m. "We liked it best when the instructors started playing and swapped instruments," Martyna Sidorowicz and Justyna Turek recall about Monday’s jam session. "In my opinion, the festival club works well," Łukasz Molak adds—"It is a large venue, and everyone can find a place for themselves." Jam sessions are not only great fun and an opportunity to listen to excellent music. They also provide a chance to talk with the biggest figures on Poland’s blues and jazz scene. As Łukasz Molak admits, great musicians are not given to stardom: "They do not put themselves above others; they simply come and help."
(GA information)