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The Michigan Beat (Week of November 5, 2014)

Another month has gone by with lots of polka happenings, so let’s get right to all the news. Always remember though, if you have anything that you would like the Michigan Beat to report on, let me know about it. That can be done by emailing the information to me at rollingreporter@hotmail.com . I can’t wait to report the events/happenings that you have going on.

The first full weekend in October was Pulaski Weekend in Grand Rapids, MI – the home town of this writer Ryan Krygier. This is a four day weekend with all of Grand Rapids’ fourteen Polish halls open; many with live polka bands and Polish food. This is really a full week celebration with the flag raising of the Polish & American flags on Sunday. During the week, there are also some Polish related contests at a few of the Polish halls. Thursday, which is called Thirsty Thursday, is the day that the first polka dance is held, and on Saturday morning, a parade is held through the   streets of Grand Rapids, MI. The writer of The Michigan Beat is in this parade every year with the school that I work at, Sacred Heart Academy.

The Michigan Beat also headed to Traverse City, MI to attend a benefit for polka follower Lori Boone at Streeters Hall. She is suffering from cancer. This event featured several polka bands, all donating their time. The bands included: Ray Watkoski Family Band, Larry & The Larks, Box On & “Pan” Franek, Zosia & The Polka Towners.

Mike Schneider of Wisconsin will be traveling to Cleveland – Polka City USA, and this writer’s home state of Michigan. This will all be happening around Thanksgiving. During this trip, Mike Schneider will have all his original band members traveling and performing with him. Mike is also already looking forward to the summer of 2015. This looks like it will be a summer full of Pint Size Polkas in libraries throughout CA & MN.

Squeezebox will be performing at dances in Ohio this coming month and also at the Dank in Benton Harbor, MI. Reading this band’s newsletter, they have much more going on. Be sure to read next month’s edition of The Michigan Beat for all this information. One of the things that you, the readers, will be hearing about will be the Molly B Christmas Show and also the cruise with Jimmy Sturr.

Alex Meixner has had sold out shows in Long Island and North Jersey. At one of the shows the gate had to be locked…there was no room left at all! This band plays to all ages – seniors to college age. In November they will be playing in Texas & Ohio.

Dennis Polisky & The Maestro’s Men and The Knews played at Polkamotion. The hosts of this event were Mike Matousek & Mike Ziemski. It was reported that everything was A-1 at this event! The band also played for the Pulaski Days dance on October 12th in Poughkeepsie, NY and at an Octoberfest in Rhode Island. Finally Dennis Polisky would like to thank everyone for all the cards & letters following the passing of his mother.