Hello Texas Polka Fans!
We hope you are having a great 2020. I would personally like to thank everyone who came into Chicago on Jan. 18 and 19, to celebrate January as National Polka Month with the International Polka Association.
On Saturday, we had a wonderful time listening to the fabulous music by Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Lenny founding the Chicago Push, at a historical Polka venue, Polonia Banquets. People were able to visit the IPA Hall of Fame and enjoy the amazing food prepared by Sandy and company. Thank you to Lenny, Chicago Push, and the staff at Polonia Banquet for a great night.
On Sunday, the party continued in the early afternoon with 7 of Chicago's finest bands at Glendora Banquets, the current Chicago hot spot for polka music. Thank you Tony Blazonczyk & New Phaze, Music Company, Windy City Brass, FreezeDried, Tri-City Drive, IPA Tribute Band, and D-Street, for every year to make this event possible and a huge success. Thank you to Mary, Stas, their children and staff for allowing us to use their venue for this event throughout the years and preparing their great food.
To all of our local polka supporters, the polka fans that traveled into the “Windy City” from Canada, New York, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Indiana (sorry if I missed anyone) thank you so much for coming into town where the weather wasn’t the greatest, to support our events.
Last but definitely not the least, to all of the IPA Officers and Directors, thank you for all you do, not only at these events, but all of our events. I am very lucky to have wonderful people serving with me on this board. Thank you for always being there to help and always volunteering your time.
I would also like to thank Theresa Parker and Danny Zapletal for hosting their annual Polka Month Dance, Texas-size Celebration, celebrating January being National Polka Month on Sat., Jan. 18th. Thank you to Mark Halata & Texavia and Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs for providing excellent musical entertainment for this event, as well as the awesome staff of the Martinez Social Club in San Antonio. To all of the fans who attended the event, we greatly appreciate your support.
Please mark your calendars for two great events happening in March - the IPA Hall of Fame Benefit Dance on March 7th and 8th in Ludlow, MA. Also, the IPA and Let’s Polka USA Unity Dance on March 22, 2020 at Glendora Banquets. Please visit www.ipapolkas.com.
In January, the IPA Board voted to appoint Father Dennis A. Bogusz as the IPA Chaplain. Welcome to the Board, Father Dennis. You can read more about Father Dennis on our website at ipapolkas.com.
God Bless you all.