Bohemian Princess Diary

Happy New Year! Hope it's off to a good start for you and yours. Looking at the ads and dance calendar, the month of January is packed with events. Two events that Gary and I will be very involved with are the Polka Month Dance on the 18th and the Texas Czech Genealogy Society program on the 25th.

As you can tell by our cover story we are pumped to promote a National Polka Month dance that features Czech and Mexican polka. Ever since Danny Zapletal was named a trustee to the International Polka Association representing Southwest US, he and I have talked about showcasing different cultures of polka in this part of the world.

When the TCGS asked Gary and I to speak on the 25th in Caldwell to talk about the history and current status of polka bands and dance halls, we suggested showing Erik McCowen's film Dance Hall Days. We are so glad they agreed, even though it's a little uncoventional for their quarterly programs. We hope to see y'all in San Antonio on the 18th and Caldwell on the 25th.

Right off the bat on the 4th, the South Texas Wheel Spinners and Crank Twisters start the year with their annual dance featuring Dujka Brothers in Schulenburg. The next day boasts the first battle dance of the year with Texas Sound Check and Red Ravens in Rosenberg.

On the 23rd of this month, America's fave polka band, SqueezeBox, featuring Mollie B and Ted Lange, will start its Texas Tour and play 10 shows! The one in Cyclone is already sold out, so better get your tickets!

Sunday, the 12th will offer you several dances to choose from - Lost Cause in Sealy at the PoLK of A meeting, Red Ravens at Schroeder Hall west of Victoria, and Litt'l Fishermen at Eagles Hall in New Braunfels. Whichever one you choose, it's guaranteed you'll have a good time.

Gary and I want to congratulate Willie and Michelle Pavlas on the one-year anniversary of reopening Pavlas Tavern in Moulton. They are doing it up big on the 11th with music by Mark Halata and Mike Stroup and probably a few of their friends.

In the "too cute I can't stand it" category are the Dachshund Races at Krause's Cafe on the 19th. For your dancing pleasure on the 19th, the Texas Heritage Music & Dance Club is hosting a public dance in Sealy with Al Sulak & Country Sounds providing the music.

The first church event of the year takes place on the 26th at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Penelope with Jodie Mikula Orchestra playing for the Polka Mass, then the dance after dinner.

Also on the 26th is the 33rd Annual El Campo Polka Fest in New Taiton with the Big 3 - Red Ravens, Fritz Hodde & Fab 6, and Leo Majek Orchestra. It will be okay to break your diet for the fried gizzards!

And save Feb. 1 to attend Mullins Prairie Store when they will debut the South Texas Czechs band featuring Garrett Neubauer (Texas Sound Check), Brian Svetlik, Brian Klekar (Czechaholics), David Wendle and Don Merta (The Horizons). Or go country with the Tony Booth Birthday Bash in Pearland.

If you resolved to exercise more this year, then you are set! Till next month, Polka On!