Funding for Ukraine
Having fun when there is a war going on in your homeland is always difficult to fathom. Should you be drinking and whooping it up when Russian missiles are hitting targets throughout Ukraine?
As a matter of self-preservation, everyone needs a break, even those on the frontlines. So, Chicago’s Ukrainian Community cannot be faulted for taking a night off to enjoy jazz, particularly because tonight’s event was a fundraiser for the aid to Ukraine.
When the owner of Le Piano, an eclectic jazz club in Chicago’s Rogers Park community asked what he could do to help the Ukrainian cause, the obvious answer was to hold a fundraiser at his club. Everyone who attended was treated to a night of excellent, straight-ahead jazz. Those who had not eaten before arriving, also had the opportunity to enjoy a dining experience that rose high above the typical “bar food” experience. I opted for the petite frenched New Zealand lamb chops, with golden fingerling potatoes ($25). Perfectly cooked.
As is typical, the Ukrainians made sure that several war veterans had the opportunity to enjoy the music while they were honored. Often, the veterans are undergoing medical treatment, paid for by the local community.
For me, the highlight of the evening was hearing Luba Shipovych, a defense technologies expert and co-founder of the Dignity Charity Fund (Dignitas), discuss how the Ukrainian military has advanced and mastered the art of drone warfare. She is one of the brains behind the program.
As for the Ukrainians, well I learned something about them tonight. Their country borders on Romania, where Count Dracula can be found lurking in the Carpathian Mountains. Like Count Dracula, the Ukrainians apparently have a strong preference for darkness. In all my years of photographing in jazz clubs, I have never encountered a darker room. Photography was virtually impossible, which explains why no one has a good photograph of Count Dracula.
[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]
Music in the Window of Le Piano
Enter for Some Great Jazz
Ready to Go
Tasty Fills
Thinking About What Comes Next
Chicago's Ukrainian Community Kicking Back at a Fundraiser
Getting His Signals Straight
Showing Her Appreciation for the Musicians
Another Pianist Taking the Keyboards
Getting Down to Business
A Straight Ahead Player
In a Dream-Like State
Painting a Masterpiece
Some Fancy Finger Work
Showing the Flag
Marta Farion of the Ukrainian Congress Committee (Illinois Division) Introducing Luba Shipovych, a Defense Technologies Expert and Co-founder of the Dignity Charity Fund (Dignitas)
Luba Shipovych, a Defense Technologies Expert and Co-founder of the Dignity Charity Fund (Dignitas), Discussing the Use of Drones in Ukraine
Listening
Lynne Jordan Making a Point
Through the Glass
Blowing the Russian Blues Away
Working the Keys
Dr. Mariya Dmytriv-Kapeniak, President of the UCCA Illinois Division, and Her Daughter Enjoying a Night Out
Culmen Reserve in the Light
Copyright 2025, Jack B. Siegel (except the first two images in the post, which are copyrighted 2024). All Rights Reserved. Do Not Alter, Copy, Display, Distribute, Download, Duplicate, or Reproduce Without the Prior Written Consent of the Copyright Holder.
