Saturday, February 21, 2009

Polka Dancing 2-22-09 with The Rhinelanders

February 15, 2009 Polka dancing Golden Colorado

John Stehl with the Alpine Polka Dots entertained the crowd to fasted paced high energy music on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the Polka Club in Golden, Colorado.

John has a family of talented musicians that play numerous instruments that add to the enjoyment of the afternoon. There were accordions including a button-box, saxophones, trumpet, trombone and dulcimer along with the entertaining key board. What a treat.


John Stehl with the Alpine Polka Dots



Eric Stehl playing the button box


Swing



Dancing the Polka

Doris Donahoe - 85th Birthday Celebration 2-14-09

Doris Donahoe and her son

Friends and family gathered for a fun evening to share an 85th Birthday Celebration with Doris Donahoe. Her son surprised her by picking her up in a limo.

Rich Borger and The Average German Band played through out the evening at the Kicker's Club in Golden, Colorado. Dancers were dressed in red to add to the celebration as this was Valentines Day.



Rick Borger

V
Stan and Joyce Kropewnicki dancing the Polka





Stan Kropewnicki Irena DiGaronimo Ida Johnson Rudy Okoren Lee Wellbrock


Dabbie B (Eva Ortiz's daughter) singing

Illinois Polkafest 2009 - A few more tunes

The Illinois Polkafest was a blast. We caught a plane on Monday back to Denver. The cab ride with American was only $43 now that the crowd had dwindled. The evening before we found the Holiday had a complimentary shuttle that took us downtown Naperville to Gordinos for the best Chicago pizza filled and topped. It was worth the wait.

When we come again we can certainly plan for a visit to this charming city.

The first weekend of February will be the next Illinoi Polkafest. It is worth the visit. Here is the information for 2010:

Illinois POlkafest Feb 5, 6, 7 2010 1-88 and Naper Blvd Chicago Illinois

Bob Doszak Phone 815 634 0907 bobd1108@aol.com
Hotel: Holiday Inn 630 505 4900 $86/night

Bands: Bob Doszak Kenny Brandt Eddie Rodick Karl Lukitsch
Eric Noltkamper Klancnik & Friends Canada's Polka King Walter Ostenek

Here are some more music from this year. Enjoy.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Illinois Polkafest 2009 - Sunday

The last day of the Illinois Polkafest culminated a fun filled weekend with musicians playing their best to the crowd.

Eddie Rodick






Susan and Pete Dunda dancing to Neil Zunker

Don Lipovac
This is amazing accordion playing. The is only one instrument with the interesting sound of several playing at the same time. This is from fingers on the keyboard not magic from programmed electronics.






Illinois Polkfest 2009 - Let's talk about the buttonbox

The dancing and band playing went on and on until our feet hurt and still we jumped up to danced around to the great music.

In the lobby and in one of the conference rooms the talent continued. People gathered to listen and other brought their instruments. One time when we peeked our head in the door we heard the most mellow sound of about 20 button box accordions, a couple of banjos and a trombone jamming.

It was such a treat. They all knew the music.

We meet a man from Minnsooota who was heading down the hall to join the jammers. The music they play is Slovenian tunes. They all know the music from heart. There on buttons on both the left and right hands. Each button provides the tone of a couple of notes as the bellows are opened up. As the bellows are pushed back in a new couple of notes are played. It is not the easiest instrument to learn, but this group of folks had it down pat.

Button Box Accordion Jamming - 20 accordions playing in a large circle all moving in and out together to the music







Button Box Jamming
Martin Mavec age 17 and Rock Churnovic age 13





Rock Churnovic - Age 13



By the second day a couple of young people joined. Martin Mavec was 17 and had been playing for 10 years. He was terrific. He had taken lessons for about 3 years and caught on so quickly he just started learning on his own. He really had command of this difficult instrument. Another youngster, Rick Churnovic, was age 13. He would need to grow into the size of this button box. His skills were amazing.

What a group of interesting talented people.

Here is a sampling of their jamming over the weekend.


Martin Mavec - Age 17

llinois Polkafest 2009 - Day 2

Bands warmed up and the crowd was hot. Musicians played and sang their hearts out showing the talents only anticipated in our dreams.

Here is a sampling of band snippits and some shots of the great dancers from the mid-west.


Kenny Brandt Band





Kenny Brandt - One great Saxaphone





Del Sinchak Band - Ohio


Saturday, February 7, 2009

2009 Illinois Polkafest - February 6 - 9

What an experience dancing to some of the best bands in the country for a long weekend in Chicago. Stan and I took a quick 2 hour flight from Denver to the windy city, grabbed a cab ride for $65 to Naperville about 20 miles from O'hare. The sun was shining and the temperatures were a brisk 30 degrees up from zero that had been posted the week before. Our cab driver was a friendly guy from Morocco. We had a chat about our visit there last fall talking about the colorful doors painted bright blue in the meandering pathways through the streets of Essaoura.

The Holiday Inn in Naperville didn't have the charm of the Riad in Fes, Morocco but the anticipated energy of the weekend blasted through to us as we were greeted in the lobby to an accordion playing a polka tune. We hurried to settle into our room so we be could join the fun.

There were two ballrooms for dancing and one room set up for jamming. There were seven bands playing throughout the next 3 days. This is the best buy at $40 per person for three days of entertainment and fun.

Ron "Austie" Austalosh playing the Mozart Polka




Eddie Rodick Band - Ripping it up



Great dancers

We had heard the Del Sinchak band in Las Vegas last February 2008. We loved them and bought one of their CDs which we played almost every week. They have the best accordion players (Ron "Austie" Austalosh) I have ever heard. We saw him checking out a new accordion at the Baldoni display right outside the ballroom. I mentioned that we loved his music and talent and commented that Mozart polka was my favorite. He said they hadn't played that one for a while. When they started playing, it was the second song they played. Stan and I danced our brains out around the floor stopping only briefly to take a quick video and cheer loudly.


Steve Meisner Band Wisconsin
Dancing


Kenny Brandt Band

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Sunday Dancing



Hal and Jean

Chuck and Linda

Dancing the Polka

Polka Festivals and Clubs

Colorado Springs Colorado

International Dance Club
Mardi Gras Polka Fest
2422 Busch Aveue
Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Friday, March 13, 2009 3:00 pm
Chandeller Ballroom (Upper)
3:30 - 5:30 Rhinelanders
5:30 - 7:30 Top Notchmen
7:30 - 9:30 Rhinelanders
9:30 - 11:30 Top Notchmen

Saturday, March 14, 2009 11:00 am
Chandeller Ballroom
11:30 - 3:30 Alan Polivka
3:30 - 5:30 Dick Zavodny
5:30 - 7:30 Top Notchmen
7:30 - 9:30 Dick Zavodny
9:30 - 11:30 Top Notchmen

Crystal Ballroom
6:00 - 10:00 Barefoot Becky

Sunday, March 15, 2009
9:00 Polka Mass 10:00 Protestant Service

12:00 - 4:00 Top Notchmen

3 day pass $35 or One day pas at the door Fri: $14 Sat $19 Sun $9

Contact: Kathy Weber
1243 Soaring Eagle Dr.
Colo Springs, CO 80915
719 596 7921
Email: kathyweb@q.com
www.Internationaldanceclub.org


Hays Kansas

Polkafest
Fanchon Ballroom - Eash Highway 40 - Hays, Kansas

Saturday - March 28, 2009
Noon to 2:00 Wes Windholz
2:00 to 4:00 Jim Busta
4:00 to 6:00 Wes Windholz
6:00 to 8:00 Jim Busta
8:00 to 10:00 Country Dutchmen
10:00 to 11:00 Jim Busta

Sunday March 29, 2009
10:30 to 11:30 Polka Mass by Country Dutchmen
Noon to 2:00 Jim Busta
2:00 to 4:00 Country Dutchmen
4:00 to 5:00 Jim Busta

Tickets: $18 for two day in advance
Saturday $12 at the door
Sunday $ 8 at the door

Contact: 785 625 6653 785 625 7031 785 735 2230
Cancer council of Ellis County
114 W 7th
Hays, Kansas 67601


Adolph Lesser Memorial Scholarship Polkafest
June 5 -7 2009

T.E.V Edelweiss Club of Denver
6495 Monaco Street
Commerce City, CO 80022

Bands
Stan Blut Orchestra - California
Herb Eberle Band - Missouri
Chuck Berger - Oregon
Karl and the Coutnry Dutchmen - Wisconsin
Rick Borger and the Average German Band - Colorado
Rich Dechant and Die Alpenrose - Colorado

Tickets: 3 day pass $50
Daily adminssion: $20

Friday, June 5, 2009 4:00 pm to midnight
Saturday, June 6, 2009 Noon to Midnight
Sunday, June 7, 2009 Noon to 8:00 pm

Contact: Cyndi Babish 303 883 5283
Email: babishc@q.com



2009
South Dakota State
Polka & Music Fes
Ramdota Exhibit Hall - (Best Western Hotel)
3200 W. Maple St (i-29, Exit 81)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Friday June 12, 2009 11:30 am to 12:30 am
Stage 1
Julie Lee (Fargo ND)- 11:30 to 12:45 / 4:30 to 5;45 / 9:30 to 10:15
Johnny Koenig (Cleveland, OH) 12:45 to 2:00 / 5:45 to 7:00 / 10:15 to 11:00
Barry Boyce (Omaha NE) - 2:00 to 3:15 / 7:00 to 8:15 / 11:00 to 11:45
Ethnic Jazz (Cleveland, OH) 3:15 to 4:30 / 8:15 to 9:30 / 11:45 to 12:30

Stage 2
Larry Olson (Lake Benton, MN) 11:15 to 12;45 / 5:15 to 6:15 / 9:15 to 10:00
Twin Cities Soundz (Hugo, MN) 12:45 to 2:15 / 6:15 to 7:15 / 10:00 to 10:45
FreezDried (Chicago, IL) 2:15 to 3:45 / 7;15 to 8:15 / 10:45 to 11:30
Top Notchman (Chippewa Falls, WI)3:45 to 5:15 / 8:15 to 9:15 / 11:30 to 12/15

Saturday June 13, 2009 11:30 am to 12:30 am
Stage 1
Johnny Koenig (Cleveland, OH) 11:30 to 12:45 / 4:30 to 5:45 / 9:30 to 10:15
FreezeDried (Chicago, IL) 12:45 to 2:00 / 5:45 to 7:00 / 10:15 to 11:00
Eddie Blozonczyk (Chicago, IL) 2:00 to 3:15 / 7:00 to 8:15 / 11:00 to 11:45
Barry Boyce 3:15 to 4:30 / 8:15 to 9:30 / 11:45 to 12:30

Stage 2
Twin Cities Soundz (Hugo, MN) 11:15 to 12:45 / 5:15 to 6:15 / 9:15 to 10:00
Top Notchman (Chippewa Fls WI) 12:45 to 2:15 / 6:15 to 7:15 / 10:00 to 10:45
Julie Lee (Fargo ND) 2:15 to 3:45 / 7:15 to 8:15 / 10:45 to 11:30
Ethnic Jazz 3:45 to 5:15 / 8:15 to 9:15 / 11:30 to 12:15

Sunday June 14, 2009 10:30 am to 9:30 pm

Julie Lee
Eddie Blazonczyk
Twin Cities Soundz
Top Motchmen

Tickets: 3 day pass $38 on Friday at door
Friday only $20, Saturday only $20, Sunday Only $10

Contact: Jay Davie 605 376 8220
Email: polkajay@aol.com
www.daviedance.com

2009 Schedule of Bands for Denver Polka Dancing

Po.L.K.of A. Dances
Denver Kickers Sports Club
16776 W. 50th Ave., Golden, Colorado
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Admission: $4 members - $6 Non-Members
*Special Dances $10

January 4, 2009 Rhinelanders

January 13, 2009 Polka Nuts / Mike Gashler

January 20, 2009 Julie Lee *

January 27, 2009 Dick Zavadny


February 1, 2009 Jim Ehrlich

February 8, 2009 Steve Winholtz

February 14, 2009 Rick Borger (Denver Kickers Saturday 7 pm to 11 pm)

February 15, 2009 John Stehle with the Alpine Polka Dots

February 22, 2009 Rhinelanders


March 1, 2009 Rich DeChant

March 8, 2009 Polka Nuts / Mike Gashler

March 15, 2009 Barefoot Becky *

March 22, 2009 Rick Borger

March 29, 2009 Jim Ehrlich


April 5, 2009 Dick Zavodny

April 12, 2009 Easter - No dance

April 19, 2009 John Stehle

April 26, 2009 John Fritzler


May 3, 2009 Rick Borger

May 10, 2009 Dick Zavodny / Mothers Day Wear a hat

May 17, 2009 Polka Nuts / Mike Gashler

May 24, 2009 Memorial Day - No dance

May 31, 2009 Rich DeChant


June 7, 2009 Pete Dunda * / Club's 30th Anniversary

June 14, 2009 Jim Ehrich

June 21, 2009 John Stehle / Fathers Day Wear a tie

June 28, 2009 Rick Borger


July 5, 2009 Indendence weekend - No dance

July 12, 2009 Dick Zavodny

July 19, 2009 Pete Dunda *

July 26, 2009 Rhinelanders


August 2, 2009 Jim Ehrilich

August 9, 2009 John Stehle / Picnic

August 16, 2009 Steve Windholz

August 23, 2009 Polka Nuts / Mike Gashler

August 30, 2009 Pete Dunda *


September 6, 2009 Labor Day - No Dance

September 13, 2009 Rick Borger

September 20, 2009 Dick Zavadny / Octoberfest

September 27, 2009 Pete Dunda *


October 4, 2009 Rhinelanders

October 11, 2009 Jim Ehrlich

October 18, 2009 Steve Windholz

October 25, 2009 Polka Nuts / Mike Gashler


November 1, 2009 Julie Lee *

November 8, 2009 Rick Borger

November 15, 2009 Dick Zavadny

November 22, 2009 John Stehle

November 29, 2009 Thanksgiving / No Dance


December 6, 2009 Rhinelanders / Christmas Party

December 13, 2009 No Dance / Kickers Christmas

December 20, 2009 Rich DeChant

December 27, 2009 No Dance

December 31, 2009 Rich Borger / New Years Eve

Sunday Polka Dancing with Jim Ehrlich

Sunday afternoons people enjoy dancing Polkas, Waltzes, Fox Trots and the Schottish.


Bill and Sylvia Nelson



Stan Dancing the Schottish