2022 music festivals in Southern California — who’s playing and how to get tickets

Pierogi Fest, A 115-year-old Tradition In Palos Park, Highlights Ukrainian Culture

For more than a century, Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church has celebrated its feast day with a festival featuring ethnic delicacies, particularly pierogi, and entertainment.

"Parishioners started it to celebrate Saints Peter and Paul. It would be their biggest fundraiser of the year," said the Rev. Vasyl Sendeha, priest at the church. "It's actually July 12, the saint day of Peter and Paul, so around that date they would have that festival on a Sunday."

The Ukrainian Pierogie Festival, begun 115 years ago – as long as the parish has been around – moved to the first Sunday in August after a pause of a few years during the pandemic. This year's event starts at noon Aug. 4 at the church, 8410 W 131 St. In Palos Park.

The event, which typically draws 600 to 700 people, has changed a bit over the years. "What I hear from the history of the parish, they would raffle off a car," Sendeha said. "I think that was in the 1960s. We don't do that."

One of the biggest changes is what happens with the money raised. Previously, it went toward parish activities, but after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, proceeds have been devoted to Ukrainian causes.

But even that focus has evolved.

"We used to send a lot of money to aid and cover the cost of shipping (supplies) to Ukraine. People would donate bandages, for instance," Sendeha explained. "Now we're focusing more on the people who are here. A lot of people have come, especially to Chicagoland. We're helping people here in terms of helping them with rent financially or if they need supplies. They come with just a suitcase sometimes or a backpack. They have nothing."

Volunteers wear colorful aprons during last year's Pierogie Festival at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Palos Park. Although food is sold at the event, admission, parking and child care are free. (Donna Nevels)

Building on their ties to Ukraine and their faith is an important component of the festival.

"As a priest, I do church tours where I show people the church and tell them the history of the parish. It's a very rich history," Sendeha shared. Although the church was officially incorporated in Illinois in 1909, it's been around even longer. "We have the records and saw they had been getting together to pray in the late 1800s."

Sendeha, who came to the parish 14 years ago, hails from the same place in Ukraine where the church's founders did – the western part of the country near the Polish border. But the church welcomes all Orthodox Christian followers.

"Even though we're Orthodox, we have a lot of ethnicities in our parish because we welcome everybody from all ethnic backgrounds: Belarus, Pakistani, people from Greece, Spain, Serbia, European countries. They're all Orthodox," he explained.

The festival also offers a chance to share the church's traditions. "It lets the neighboring community get to know us here – Ukrainians here. Not only food but also our culture, such as with dancing. And that we're Christians," he said. "People are pretty surprised. I've had Catholics be surprised. They thought an Orthodox church was not a Christian church. It gives us an opportunity to tell them who we are."

Sendeha's wife, Olena Levko-Sendeha, has been involved with the festival since shortly after they arrived in Palos Park. "I've been hands-on since we came in, so this is my 13th festival picnic," she said.

Her role includes organizing people to help run the different stations, as well as finding sponsors and leading the basket raffle. "That is one of the very big hits that we do every year," she said. "A lot of the stuff is donated because people are trying to help out the good cause of the church, especially the last few years with the war in Ukraine."

"The goal is to raise funds to help more families in need," she shared, adding that she works with an organization that helps refugees and anyone of Ukrainian descent with paperwork. "We help financially, help with the paperwork they need to legally work here and pay taxes and have kids in school, to register them, to find doctors so they can have their medical taken care of, their checkups and to register kids for the upcoming school year."

Olena Sendeha, co-chair of the Ukrainian Pierogie Festival, sells basket raffle tickets during last year's festival. The event's cash raffle is one of the biggest fundraisers, with proceeds helping people fleeing the war in Ukraine. (Donna Nevels)

Concession sales are a big part of the festival, including the potato, kraut and cheese pierogi, which Levko-Sendeha called the "hands down" favorite. "We have the best. They are homemade like your grandma used to make. We could never make enough."

There also will be pork shish kebabs (her favorite), stuffed cabbage, smoked sausage, hot dogs, corn on the cob and other delights.

A combo platter with a "little bit of everything" – pierogi, stuffed cabbage, sausage, sauerkraut and bread – costs $20. New this year is chicken chebureki, similar to an empanada. "It's the first year we're going to introduce it. It's as big as a 10-inch dinner plate folded over with meat and then it's fried," she explained.

Her husband said chebureki is "a treat that a lot of people my age and people who grew up in Ukraine eat because those would be sold from food trucks or carts – a quick treat to eat and it's delicious."

An event this big requires a lot of help. Levko-Sendeha estimated 30 to 40 people are needed to man shifts at stations during the festival. "After that they are able to enjoy and socialize with others," Levko-Sendeha said.

This year's festival includes over five hours of planned entertainment, followed by a live band that will sing. "It's packed. It's fun-filled," she said. "There is a lot of food, things to do, see, performers. … .It takes a lot of work, a lot of people to do that, but it's absolutely wonderful." A petting zoo, volleyball, children's games, jump house and other activities will take place.

Grilled pork shish kebab will be on the menu as well as pierogi and other food during the Pierogie Festival Aug. 4 at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Palos Park. (Olena Sendeha)

She praised her volunteers, including a group of teenagers and young adults that belong to the Junior Ukrainian Orthodox League." At any point of the festival, they are there helping. They are just great."

Her husband is a pivotal worker as well. "He is there sunup to sundown. He is the one who does all of the necessary supply shopping," she gushed. "You turn around and he is always there. He's not the one who is going to give himself any credit, but he's the best."

Those who want to buy pierogi but can't make it to the festival have options because the church hosts sales throughout the year, although it's become harder because the pandemic affected volunteers.

"After the pandemic, it went down. We also lost the pros – the older ladies who used to make the pierogi. They passed away. You have to have the skill to make them," Sendeha said. "Before the pandemic it was every first Thursday of the month. We're trying to get back to that."

But there is hope, he said. "Now we're getting the influx of immigrants. They are coming in the night. … We have a lot of newcomers who are willing to come out. It's socializing for them. They can come and talk in their language."

His wife hopes people attend the festival, not only to be entertained but to know more about her country. "The festival mission is to let people know Ukraine even though with the war these days it's different," she said. "But we are here, present, working hard to help others but at the same time want to have a good time and we're a strong nation."

Melinda Moore is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. 

Originally Published: July 31, 2024 at 12:14 p.M.

San Sebastian Film Festival

Two Netflix Originals and new movies from Mike Leigh, Joshua Oppenheimer, Gia Coppola and Edward Berger will vie for San Sebastian's top Golden Shell this September.

The festival features a main competition that is stronger than usual on both bigger-name directors and 'A' list stars, such as Tilda Swinton in Oppenheimer's "The End," Jamie Lee Curtis and Pamela Anderson in Gia Coppola's "The Last Showgirl" and the ensemble cast of Berger's "Conclave" that includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini.

Bound for Toronto and Telluride before San Sebastián, Oppenheimer's "The End" stars Swinton,  George MacKay and Michael Shannon in what is described as a post-apocalyptic "Golden Age" musical.

"Conclave," from "All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger," is a psychological thriller written by Peter Straughan, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.

Leigh's "Hard Truths" reunites the filmmaker with Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who received an Oscar nomination for his 1996 drama "Secrets & Lies."

"The Last Showgirl" is a mother-daughter drama starring Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kiernan Shipka, Billie Lourd, Dave Bautista, and Brenda Song, with Anderson at a career crossroads when her Las Vegas show closes after a 30-year run. 

The two Netflix Originals take in "El lugar de la otra," the debut fiction feature of two-time Chilean Oscar nominee Maite Alberdi ("The Eternal Memory" and "The Mole Agent"), produced by Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín's Fabula ("El Conde," "Spencer"), and "The Man Who Loved UFOs," a dramedy from Argentina's Diego Lerman, turning on a cock-and-bull alien visitation scam in the 1980s.

There is no ban on Netflix titles in competition at San Sebastian.  Director José Luis Rebordinos and his selection committee simply choose the most interesting they can.

In Latin America, Netflix quite regularly backs high-profile auteurs who have played in San Sebastián before – Lerman competed at the Spanish film festival in 2017 with "A Sort of Family," winning the festival's Jury Prize, and 2022 with "The Substitute."

The competition cut also takes in new films from legendary France-based director Costa Gavras, "The Last Breath," as well as Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Paris-set thriller "Serpent's Path" and François Ozon's "When Fall is Coming."  

The 72nd San Sebastian Festival runs Sept. 20 -28.

As it currently stands, more titles to come.

"Afternoons of Solitude," (Albert Serra, Spain)

Exploring the spiritual pain of bullfighting and its aesthetics, the creation of ephemeral beauty in a brutal clash between man and bull, seen from the POV of the matador. The latest, a doc feature, from the Spanish director of Cannes competition player "Pacifiction."

"Bound in Heaven," Huh Xin (China) or Xin Huo

The story of a terminally ill man and and a young girl trapped by violence as they set out on a race against the clock through different cities.

"Conclave," Edward Berger (U.K., U.S.)

A Focus Features thriller from Oscar winner Berger set in the Vatican as Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), tasked with organising the selection of a new Pope, finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of the Church. 

"The End," (Joshua Oppenheimer)

Produced by Neon, the first foray into fiction of acclaimed U.S. Documentarian Oppenheimer, director of The Act of Killing" and "The Look of Silence," both Academy Award nominated. It turns on one of the last families on earth, surviving in a luxurious compound deep underground. Final Cut for Real's produces; Wild Atlantic Pictures (Ireland), The Match Factory (Germany), Dorje Film (Italy), Moonspun Films (U.K.) and Anagram (Sweden) co-produce.

"Emmanuelle," Audrey Diwan (France)

Shot in Hong Kong, the film is adapted from Emmanuelle Arsan's novel of the same name. It casts a female gaze on the intimate quest of the woman whose name still evokes one of cinema's most provocative characters.

"Last Breath," Costa-Gavras (France)

Based on the book "Le Dernier Souffle" by Régis Debray and Claude Grange, this film investigates the world of palliative care through the interactions of a doctor and his patients. Sold by Playtime.

"I Am Nevenka," Iciar Bollaín, (Spain)

Written by Bollaín and Isa Campo ("Between Two Waters"), co-scribes on Bollain's 2021's breakout "Maixabel," a film inspired by a landmark sexual harassment case in Spain, taking place way back in 2001, weaving a narrative of power, gender discrimination, and the courage to stand alone. Sold by Film Factory.

"On Falling," Laura Carreira, (U.K.)  

Produced by Sixteen Films and Bro Cinema, sold by Goodfellas and directed by Carreira, based in Scotland, a Portuguese immigrant battles for human connection in a world dominated by an algorithm-driven gig economy. Another debut. 

"Glimmers," Pilar Palomero, (Spain)

A top-notch Spanish cast led by Patricia López Arnaíz and Antonio de la Torre drive the tale of a woman asked by her daughter to care for her father, the hospitalized ex-husband she has not seen for 15 years. Buried resentments well as she meets him again. After two multi-prized studies of female adolescence, Palomero's biggest movie to date and a "reflection on the marks left on us and which we leave, which make us who we are," Palomero has said.  

"Hard Truths," Mike Leigh, (U.K., Spain)

A film billed as a "tough but compassionate intimate study of family life." Leigh's label Thin Man Films and The Mediapro Studio co-produce, with Cornerstone Films handling international sales. 

"I, Addict," Javier Giner, Elena Trapé

An autobiographical story of how director Giner voluntarily entered a rehab center at 30 years old, suffering the darkest moments of his life, and came out a new person.

"The Last Showgirl," Gia Copolla (U.S.)

Uncertain about her professional future when her 30-year-old Las Vegas show closes, a dancer (Pamela Anderson) attempts to re-set her relationship with her daughter. The latest from Sofia Coppola and Roman Coppola's niece, director of "Palo Alto," "Mainstream" and "The Seven Faces of Jane."

"El lugar de la otra," Maite Alberdi (Chile)

A Netflix Original lensed by Sergio Armstrong ("Neruda") and inspired by author Alia Trabucco's "Las Homicidas" ("Women who Kill"), a film that focuses on the real-life case of novelist Maria Carolina Geel who killed her lover in front of stunned diners at the Hotel Crillón in the early '50s, Variety reports.

"The Man Who Loved UFOs," Diego Lerman (Argentina)

A second Netflix Original, from famed Argentinian auteur Lerman, a Locarno Silver Leopard winner for "Suddenly" and Cannes Directors' Fortnight director with "The Invisible Eye." In it, a journalist is invited to the Argentine countryside to pay testimony to a purported alien visitation. Leonardo Sbaraglia ("Wild Tales," "Pain and Glory") stars. Campo Cine and Bicho Films produce.

"Querer," Alauda Ruiz de Azúa (Spain)

In her TV debut Ruíz de Azua returns to an eye-opening intimate family drama set in her lush native Basque Country, a story which delivers once more some uncomfortable truths about women's role in traditional family structures. One of the banner fall series from Movistar Plus+, combining the force of another emerging female voice and the industrial power of the Telefonica pay-TV/SVOD player. 

"The Red Virgin," Paula Ortiz (U.S., Spain)

A big Spanish period production "Hildegart," starring Najwa Nimri ("Money Heist," "Locked Up") and Alba Planas ("Skam España"), the fact-based tale of the extraordinary and tragic life of Spain's Hildegart Rodríguez, born in 1914, a child prodigy raised by her mother to be a model for future women, who gave conferences on feminism and sexuality from the age of 11. Producers Avalon and Elastica Films, behind 2022 Berlin Golden Bear winner "Alcarràs," produce for Prime Video Spain.

"Serpent's Path," Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Japan, France)

"The Wailing," Pedro Martín Calero, (Spain, Argentina, France)

Lead produced by on-the-rise Madrid production house Caballo Films ("The Beasts," "La ruta"), a smart chiller about a presence that preys on young women and the feature debut of Martín Calero, whose work to date includes Weeknd pop video "Secrets," commercials – the vertigo-inducing Honda Civic –Up spot, for instance – or fiction vignettes, such as "Julius Cesar."

"When Fall is Coming," François Ozon (France)

Produced by Playtime, Ozon's follow-up to "The Crime Is Mine," starring Hélène Vincent ("The Specials"), Josiane Balasko ("Back to Mom's") and Ludivine Sagnier ("Lupin"). Knit by Ozon's hallmark irony, a take on autumnal life and a model grandmother whose blissful retirement is dashed when her grandson is left with her for summer vacation.

Preparing For Global Dance Festival 2024: Our 10 Most Anticipated Sets

Colorado's anticipated annual EDM festival is back this year with a lineup that electronic music fans from all over are absolutely stoked for. Global Dance Festival Colorado takes place at a new venue this year, a pleasant change from its previous location in the Empower Field parking lot since 2022 and its Red Rocks home prior to that. This year, the 2-day festival will take place on July 26 and 27 at the National Western Complex in Denver in order to make room for the massive headlining talents the festival plans to bring this year. Global Dance Festival is Colorado's premier EDM music festival, each year bringing a wide array of genre-bending electronic music, games, attractions, silent disco dancing and more. Here are the top ten artists 303 Magazine is beyond excited to check out this year.   

READ: Our Favorite Sets from Meow Wolf's Vortex Festival

The Chainsmokers

American electronic artists The Chainsmokers are headliners this year at the festival and are sure to bring out an epic heavy and melodic bass and pop-filled set. It's no secret Alex Pall and Drew Taggart have been running the EDM game since the early years of 2012, bringing a unique pop-infused EDM sound to the masses and inspiring major radio hits like "Closer" and "Don't Let Me Down." The duo has earned a huge fan base of music lovers of all shapes and sizes, so this one should be a moment where the entirety of those attending the festival will converge. Whether you like heavy, headbanging dubstep or poppier synth jams, these two really know how to bring the party no matter where they are, and we're stoked to see what they bring out this year.

Duke Dumont

English DJ and producer Adam Dyment has been running the global house and big-room music scene for quite a while now, bringing a unique and bubbly sound design that his fans know and love. He is best known for his singles "Need U" and "Ocean Drive," just to name a few. Duke Dumont brings a unique sound and an instant party which is quickly recognizable by his fans from all over the globe. House music lovers will love this one specifically. Dumont's music is laced with beauty through its combination of unique female vocalists and pretty house beats, creating a powerhouse combination of sound. Duke Dumont headlined the Red Rocks stage last year in October and packed out the venue with his Denver fans singing and dancing all night. We're stoked to see him bring another amazing set out to Colorado this year at the festival. 

Kaytranada

Louis Kevin Celestin, or Kaytranada, is a legend in the Canadian and American music scenes. His skills as a multi-faceted producer, songwriter, and rapper have propelled his career throughout the years as he's built a devoted and dedicated fanbase. Kaytranada is the epitome of what modern-day music lovers may refer to as the original Soundcloud DJ or rapper, in a way. Kaytranada truly rose to prominence back in 2010 after releasing a series of mixtapes and original music projects on Soundcloud under the then-alias "Kaytradamus", before changing the name to the now-known infamous Kaytranada. The 31-year-old musician has developed an incredibly unique sound over the years; some might call it "genre-bending," fusing elements of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic. This is a set not to miss this year no matter what genre you desire.

Champagne Drip

Oregon-born Samuel "Champagne Drip" Pool (who now resides in L.A.) has risen through the bass ranks in recent years with his huge bass-heavy sound design and an impressive array of production techniques. He has truly become a trailblazer in the bass scene not only in Denver but around the world and for good reason. In recent years, Champagne Drip has perfected his sound and really honed in on his musicality in his tracks. In doing so, he has grown into the likes and attention of record labels Wakaan, Mad Decent and Deadbeats, just to name a few. Pairing his sine-wave heavy sound with stunning female locals and loud, booming 808 drums, Champagne Drip is one not to miss this year if you're looking to headbang.

G Jones

Highly sought-after producer Amon Tobin or G Jones is hardly a DJ at all, but more so an Ableton mastermind and musical genius. Rolling Stone has coined this DJ and producer as a "studio wizard" in the past, bringing a truly insane and unique amalgamation of sound design and "trippy," TV-static-like noise patterns that seem to surpass time and sound. G. Jones' music is not so much music so much as it is a sonic experience. Get ready to get low, cry, headbang, and more all within the hour. Tobin has gained a fanbase of loyal followers all over the country since his beginnings and we are stoked to see what this talented young producer has in store for his Colorado set this year.

Kayzo

Hardstyle and hard dance music lovers rejoice: the King of Hardstyle is back in town and ready to crush it at this year's Global Dance Festival. Hayden Capuozzo or Kayzo is back and better than ever this year. Kayzo is a household name for hardstyle music lovers as he has been a prominent figure in bringing the heavy, gritty, European-based genre to the masses in the U.S. The artist has risen to fame in recent years after mastering his craft by attending school at Icon Collective in Los Angeles (home to other top producers and DJ's like Jauz, Nghtmre, and Slander) and then bringing his quick-witted knowledge to the dance music scene. Kayzo's fast-paced 150+BPM sound has influenced many of the dubstep artists playing today and will be bringing the sounds of hard bass, dubstep and dance music all into one hour-long set.

Said the Sky

Melodic bass lovers everywhere are ready to bring the tissues to this one (or perhaps just the pashminas will do). Said the Sky is a Colorado native (Trevor Christensen) and has largely gained a following of devoted melodic bass lovers all over the world. Rising to over 131,000 followers on Soundcloud, this legend plays all of his own instruments and produces sounds within his tracks that are reminiscent of the greats in beautiful bass music, such as Illenium (a close friend of his), Seven Lions, Dabin and more. Said The Sky has one of the most devoted fan bases out there, and for a good reason. Christiansen always brings a beautiful and tear-jerking set, and has gained a loyal Colorado fanbase in the process. We are stoked to cry-headbang to this one, and hope you will be, too.

Brondo

Local legend Tom "Brondo" O'Connell has blown up in recent years and for good reason. Brondo started out trying to make it in the local scene before really expanding his sound design and marketing and taking his project to the next level. Bassheads everywhere have admired Brondo for his unique, gritty synths and sound design comparable to some of the largest names in dubstep today. 

Mport

Continuing on the local legends track comes Mport, one of the most loved and inspirational locals in the state. Mark Mount is a born and raised local (born in Arvada, Colorado) with an impressive musical background and massive sound design to match. Mport has perfected his craft in recent years and has truly entered the dubstep Hall of Fame this year, with his tracks being played out by legends like Excision. Mount has been a well-versed instrumentalist and producer for the majority of his life. Expanding his musical talents into the bass music realm was a natural progression for this budding artist. His first Global Dance Festival was two years back in 2022 and each year's set gets better and better. We are really looking forward to seeing what Mount brings this year for his headlining set.

Wuki

The man, the myth, the legend; we couldn't have ended this list without mentioning the infamous Wuki. Pennsylvania-born Chris Barman, better known as Wuki, has been a huge influence on the electronic scene in general for over a decade, and Global Dance Festival is lucky to experience another epic set by him. Influenced by the sounds of Detroit's "ghetto-tech" style music and the Chicago house and footwork scenes, Wuki has risen to legendary status. From trap to dubstep to electronic-pop style sounds, Wuki is a musical mastermind and knows no limits when it comes to genre. From working with top artists Diplo, Skrillex, Steve Aoki, and more, Wuki has amassed a powerful sound that is instantly recognizable and has led a generation of electronic music lovers for years. 

This list is only a taste of the epic amalgamation of bass, house, and techno artists at this year's Global Dance Festival. Global Dance Festival is recognized each year for bringing out not only top talent in and around the state but also for creating epic, genre-bending experiences from the stage designs to the sound and beyond. We are truly stoked for another year of the epic and infamous Global Dance Festival!

Get tickets here!

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