Polka memories
Litwin
it's time to "try one more time."
What is one, or two, or three, of your most memorable Polka Memories.
They can be serious, funny, stupid, crazy...but let's share what we
all have "lived" in polkas.
Yes, I'll start.
Having the Dave Seweryniak Trio, concertina, drums and sax, play for
"drinks" at the Dom Polski in North Tonawanda on Friday nights was
something that never made me realize just what type of "start" if was
for this concertina player. Those "practice" gigs....were so very
good.....because Scrubby "was" the whole band.
**************
Heavy Chicago...."establishing" the tradition of stopping at the
Litwin house before a Binghamton gig. I'm not sure of the year, but it
set the pace for many other such events. Belina, Maynard, Poudrier,
Kurr, Libera "knocking" on the door, made it a night to remember.
Maynard playing box in the kitchen was a highlight.
Later, Blaz and the Versatones, The Brass, The Boys, Chicago Push, and
others all kept this tradition alive for many years and we thank them
all.
*************
Oj Dig a Dig
Were you are Polkabration the year the Hrukus "bowed" to the shovel
(found on the beach) and continued the Oj Dig a Dig tradition in the
Pavilion.
**********
The first Polka Holiday in Elmira, NY....or rather "afterwards" when
we say in a motel room with dozens of other people and Eddie B told
"story upon story" of the "good old days." Damn...whey didn't I have
a tape recorder???
OK....I've done my best to "restart" this thread......it's up to you
to keep it going. We can ALL learn some polka history here.
Steve
Steve Litwin
Polka Editor/Associate Editor
Polish American Journal
polkazos
comes to mind was the last time I saw Marion Lush perform before he passed
away. There was a benefit dance for Don Jodlowski's wife at Polonia and
many bands donated their time. Marion came in, got on stage and sang his
little heart out. I will always treasure that moment.
When I think of more, I will add to these memories. Thanks Steve .......
this is a great thread.
"Litwin" <lit...@clarityconnect.com> wrote in message
news:3c61bdc9...@news.clarityconnect.com...
RACCMAN1
ACRES, DOVER, NJ. THE 70's
BUZI THIGHS!
Kevin Kurdziel
There are two particular events that come to mind when looking back on
polka history.
One of the places was Waldemeer Park in Erie, PA. mid 1980s. That was
truly a great polka fest. So many bands, so many people and so many
coolers. You couldn't make it half way around the hall without having
a couple of shots and a beer at somebody's table. Some very good jam
sessions too. Scott's Motel was the place for jams, drinking and fun.
Another event that was great was the Buffalo Polka Boosters annual
picnics, which in 1980s, featured just about every Buffalo Band. Hour
after hour of Buffalo bands belting out some great polkas.
I have many other great memories, but those two seem to stick out in
my mind as some of best memories I have of the business...
Litwin
wrote:
>One of the places was Waldemeer Park in Erie, PA. mid 1980s.
And the late 60s and the early 70s. (But then I'm a bit older than
you)
Did the El Patio become Scotts? The El Patio was "THE" place for jams
till the dawn's early light. Oh, those were the days.
>Another event that was great was the Buffalo Polka Boosters annual
>picnics, which in 1980s, featured just about every Buffalo Band. Hour
>after hour of Buffalo bands belting out some great polkas.
Ah yes and let's not forget the "Lawn Fetes." Now, they bring in
"out-of towners" but back in the golden years you had All Buff
bands...all day long, changing on the hour. You would see 10 bands in
a day, on a stage in the middle of the beer tent. Wish I could recall
which one....but there was that one where we danced in the MUD....at
the edge of the beer tent. I have pictures...just have to find them.
Mike Nowakowski was there. His Sister, Gino, and many others.
Ok, this is going well....let's see "more memories."
John Poturaj
Picnics @ Polanka in Dover...Busses filled the parking lot....Swimming in
the lake
(until I saw the snakes).....Snipe hunting in the woods
Mezmerized by Bernie @ Belmont Ballroom
The Twins @ Speedway (Irvington Polish Home)
Dynatones & Heavy Chicago on the deck overlooking the lake @ Mt. Snow
Elmira
Springs from '81'to date...
Just some of the memories of the past and (God Willing) to come
Honky John
Matt & Sandy Lewandowski
polka fans packed the Broadway Grill on Sunday afternoons to hear the
Dynatones play. Scrub, Larry, Nig, Al Al AL AL AL, Mike, Stas on
fiddle, Sonny, Robin, etc. etc. etc.... And the great "East Meets
West" gigs! The Hrukus Hellraisers and Michigan Rowdies.
Or one of my favorites, the Live Wire dance.
Eddie B at St. Gabriel's...
Lenny at Polish Villa II...
All the great picnics and festivals held around town...
Town Edge...that's where my husband and I met!
Sandy
KMachelski
Our first gigs with the Goral Boys, Ampol Days Tonawanda, Red Carpet in
Milwaukee for the IPA, Dover NJ Bay Way, Ocean Beach, New London, First gigs
with the Touch @ Misniks' many many more!
Singing with Marion Lush on Stage at the Heartstone Manor, receiving a photo
of us from the "Gold Dust Twins".
Greg Durski
first ever polka "event". OK Chicagoland (and anyone else across the country
who attended). How about Bel-Aire Days Friday night at Polonia Grove watching
the Famous and Fabulous Ampol Aires, Marion Lush and The White Eagles and Eddie
Blazonczyk's Versatones! This Friday Night lineup was a staple for Bel-Aire
Days for many years and was a "must attend" night for me and my pals for quite
a number of years!
Greg Durski
Kevin Kurdziel
After so many trips around the hall I'm surprised I remember
anything...lol.
There was also another motel not far from the El-Patio I remember
jammin at with Ray Jay, Gibala, and Pegg.
polkazos
Monday as a vacation day because I knew there was no way I was going to make
it to work. I remember seeing Wanda and Stephanie for the first time at
Polonia and I had my very first polka outing there. My Mom wanted to see
Lil' Wally and that's where she attempted to teach me how to dance the
polka.....she never thought I'd learn, but eventually I did.
Zos'
"Greg Durski" <box...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020209101632...@mb-fy.aol.com...
Litwin
wrote:
>There was also another motel not far from the El-Patio I remember
>jammin at with Ray Jay, Gibala, and Pegg.
Pennisula??? We stayed there many times. It was a one block walk from
the El Patio..
Steve
Litwin
Some great one, Kenny, and I can relate to many. The Goral Boys at
Third Warders for Halloween with some really funny "masks." (at least
I think they were masks?)
Goral Boys, Varitones, Buffalo Bells, the BIG fight at Chopins the one
night Big Steve was on stage, Krews, Polkatiers, Edwins on Saturday
mornings, Ben Lee Rest with Art at the mic, Dominoes with Hank on
tubs, the bus ride to Milawukee....and "what ever did happen to those
pillows?....Sunday "live" radio show at the Polish
Village,...Modernaires....Danny and his Father at the
Market....Richie's Royalaires....Rudas when Don would "play" the new
ones for you.....Dynatones on St. Stephen's Day..... Cyman "out cold"
on the couch...
Goral Boys picnic! I have photos...but where were we? Kissing
Bridge? Nope? Another one!!
Gold Dust Twins...at Erie....ah...those were some great memories.
Tooetom
KICKS, New Brass in NJ once a month FRI-Bayway,SAT-Irvington,SUN-Dover for six
hours of Polkas. Full houses every night. Dave Raccis hanging on the rails on
the Dover stage, and seeing Little Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) playing guitar and
Sax with the New Brass. Ah those Dover Days.
Dwtwn 009
history as everybody else, but these last few years have been quite
memorable....
My fondest memories though have to be of the Polka Jamboree at Corpus Christi
church in Buffalo every year... My grandfather, Art Zielinski, was in charge of
booking the bands...Who was this Scrubby guy that sang with Sunshine?? LOL...or
how about Big Steve (and the Belaires) when he used to lift me up and call me
Little Steve! What a thrill!! A bigger thrill had to be when I saw my cousin
Ray Barsukiewicz (now in Jerry Darlak & the Buffalo Touch) play with Mix N
Match...As a kid I thought nothing better than to see the crowd cheer so... And
to know that he's my cousin!! The smile on my grandfather's face seeing his
nephew up there!! But nothing at all can beat the sight of him dancing a waltz
with my grandma under a tent in the summer.. If anyone wonders why I love the
music so, that's where it all began.... Not a dance goes by when i don't think
of him introducing me to every polka star....great thread Steve...will write
more...
Steve Brown
Buffalo, NY
Jim Polaski
box...@aol.com (Greg Durski) wrote:
Never did go to Polonia except for the day they closed the Grove. Bomba
was playing on the bandstand in the Grove and a lot of the others were
there, like Steve Adamczyk. Bomba had all his original musicians that he
had from their start in 1945. It was sad though because so many folks
there were rueing the demise of the grove.
It's things like this that are missing today. I grew up in Hickory Hills
in the 50's. There were two picnic groves in or near the village. One
was on 95th street and that was where I met Bomba when I was about 15.
His band was hired to play the villages annual picnic.
But we don't seem to have places like that picnic grove here any more.
In past years, there also was Polka Dances at Caldwell Woods, another
grove on the NW side.
--
Regards,
Jim Polaski
"The measure of a man is what he will
do knowing that he will receive nothing in return."