The Michigan Beat 9-4-13
- PostEagle
- September 24, 2013
- Uncategorized
- 0 Comments
I have a lot to talk about this month, thanks to the many people promoting Polish / Polka events. To all the people informing me of these events, please keep the news coming. Please email information to rollingreporter@hotmail.com or send information to me at 258 Thornridge Ct. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. I am waiting to hear from you.
Let’s first talk about what is going on around the country, outside this writer’s home state of Michigan. Alex Meixner played in Minnesota on August 24th & 25th at the Minnesota State Fair. Following that, his music took him to the Cleveland Oktoberfest. Mike Schneider is reporting more Pintsize Polka Shows than ever before. The Lynn Marie Story, Wrap Your Heart Around It, played in Los Angeles at the Falcon Theater; getting very good reviews.
Once again, as they do each August, Frankenmuth, MI was host to many of the nation’s top polka bands at this year’s Summer Music Festival. The Michigan Beat was told that Mark Jansen and his crew did another great job this year.
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand Haven, Michigan held their parish festival in August. This is the parish where this writer attends church during the summer. It was a two day festival complete with all the activities that anyone could want, including live polka music from the Oldtimer’s Orchestra from Muskegon, MI and an area classic rock band.
The end of the month brought the Dozynki Polish Harvest Festival to this writer’s hometown, Grand Rapids, MI. This was a three day event with lots of activity. The Polish National Anthem was done live, followed by continuous live polka music. The bands performing were The Sonic’s, The Ray Watkoski Family Band, The Diddle Styx, The Stan Mroz Band, “Pan” Franek, Zosia & The Polka Towners, Gerry Kaminski’s Polka Network and Box On, (This is the Rick Vinecki Family. Rick is married to the daughter of one of the founding members of the Polka Family Band.) This was their first ever public performance, and they did a great job! Capping off this entire festival was all the Polish food that you can eat, a Polka jam session and the Polish Citizen of The Year. This award was given to a man that is most deserving of this award… Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz.