DJ COMPANION RECORDS runs www.bestpolkabands.com . This is the website for DJ Companion Records
http://www.djcompanionrecords.com
POLKA ASSOCIATIONS:
Polka America Corporation:
Polka America Corporation is a national 501(c)(3) charity whose goal is to advance polka music. It represents all styles within polka music equally across the entire United States and beyond. They've already taken many major steps in advancing and preserving a music and culture which has sustained itself in this country for over 100 years. Since their formation only a few years ago, not only have they put a polka music performance into the performing arts circuit , but they've also established a national archive with Columbia University in Manhattan, NY, they've worked side by side with AOL in establishing a polka broadcast on AOLRadio.com, they've partnered in many aspects with the most-listened-to-station in polka music on 247polkaheaven.com http://www.247polkaheaven.com, they've granted musical instruments to children whose parents could not afford to purchase them; not to mention their work with Sound Exchange where polka bands and publishers have now collected over $30,000 in royalties directly due their efforts, BMI who have payed their artists more than any other composer agency, Making Music Magazine who gave them a 2 page commercial music magazine spread, and numerous agencies outside of the genre who contact them for information and access to polka music. Additionally, there are a vast number of other successful programs too long to list where they've accomplished major strides.
Their goal is to revive polka music and put it back where it belongs........into the realm of musical interests which appeal to many. Although they've not been met with an easy task on their journey, they've gained the respect as a true cultural representative for the genre. They strive to continue on this path as their main focus whose major priority is to put polka music back on the map.
A Non-Profit Organization Dedicated To Promoting, Uniting, Assisting, Educating and Providing In All Aspects Of Polka Music.
http://www.polkaamericacorporation.org
The Midwest Polka Association:
http://www.midwestpolkaassociation.com
The International Polka Association:
http://www.internationalpolka.com
The United States Polka Association:
Chartered by the State of Connecticut as a not for profit corporation on the 28th day of December 1968. The Charter was moved to the State of Ohio on the 27th day of April1993. Founder: Dick Pillar, President (1968-70); Ray Henry (1970-72); Clair E. (Woody) Collier (1972-74); Karen "KJ" Robak (1974-80); Judy Spitak (1980-82); Allen Spitak (1982-89) Jean Wagner (1989-2002); Barb Haselow (2002-Present).
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote interest and participation in Polish Polka Music - To advance the mutual interests and encourage greater cooperation among its members who are engaged in Polish Polka entertainment - To encourage and pursue the study of Polish polka music and dancing.
Membership shall be open to any person whose ideals and purposes are in harmony with those of the U.S.P.A., and who pledges to observe and be governed by the Constitution-By-Laws and rules of the U.S.P.A. By joining the U.S.P.A. you have the opportunity to meet other members who are involved and dedicated to make Polish polkas the best musical movement in the United States.
www.uspapolkas.com
Polka Lovers Klub of America:
Polka Lovers Klub of America is a non-profit club organized in January of 1973 , for the purpose of promoting Polka Music and Dancing. The goal of the group was to build the membership to help promote that type of entertainment. At this printing , the Klub has a membership in 32 states and Canada.
Being a non profit club, each year we donate to various charitable organizations. Many of our members give dancing exhibitions at nursing homes, churches, and other community functions. They bring a great deal of pleasure to people confined to these homes and institutions. Members also participate in many parades.
We have three General Membership meetings per year as well as several board meetings. They are held at various ballrooms in the area. We have a Consititution and by-laws to guide the Board of Directors and Officers of the Klub. Each year a King and Queen & Prince and Princes are elected to serve as our Public Relations Representatives.
The Klub,when originated, declared red and white as its colors. These colors are proudly displayed by our members at polka festivals, celebrations and ballrooms. The ladies' outfits consist of red vest and skirts and white blouses, complemented with white or red shoes. The men wear red vests and pants and white shirts, set off with white shoes. All white outfits with red trim are also worn. Shirts with Po.L.K. of A. printing on are permissible when worn without a vest.
Minnesota is the parent club, now having chapters in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas I, Texas II, Texas III, and Wyoming. This gives member in specific areas an opportunity to gather for dancing and social fun.
Dancers, non-dancers, and all music-loving people are welcome to join us and become part of the growing Po.L.K. of A. Minnesota parent club members. Upon payment of dues receive six complimentary issues of Music and Dance News per year.
http://www.polkofa.com/files/index.php
The Association of German-American Societies:
http://www.agas.us
POLKA FESTIVALS
www.clevelandoktoberfest.com
www.PolkafestUSA.com
OTHER MEDIA & POLKA WEBSITES
The Polish American World (ISSN-698c) is a weekly newspaper that is published on Fridays. The newspaper is mailed on Mondays unless Monday is a holiday in which case the newspaper is mailed on the Tuesday that follows.
www.polamworld.com
Polka photos & memories from the 1950's, 60's, 70's, and 80's!
www.polkamemories.com/
The Polish American Journal - A great source for Polish American news - Check out Steve Litwin's Polka Pages
www.polamjournal.com/
Stella's website dedicated to the Polish Tradition and the World's Happiest Music:
www.polkastella.com
Anders Baake maintains a great ring of polka websites - this is packed full of great polka content:
www.accordionman.net
THE TEXAS POLKA NEWS: GOODBYE GRAMMY
Reprinted with permission from the July 2009 issue of The Texas Polka News
Moving to ensure that its awards show remains what it called "pertinent within the current musical landscape," the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced June 4 it is eliminating its “best polka album” category. Too bad, but hardly devastating! The Grammy Award did give polka music some recognition and an air of respectability that will be missed. On the other hand, the absence of a polka Grammy will not be a deterrent to the many thousands of fans who hold polka music near and dear.
Let’s examine why the Grammy is gone. The first (and most important) reason is that most of the voting members of the Academy are ignorant about the joy of polka music. In short, they couldn’t care less! Polka simply isn’t in their world. Also, the total number of annual entries has been only about 20, according to the Academy announcement. They view this (perhaps correctly) as a lack of general interest. Then too, the Polka Grammy award has been dominated by one artist (Jimmy Sturr), which an outsider could interpret (incorrectly) as a lack of competition. These factors may have contributed to the decision by the Academy to drop the award.
So, goodbye Grammy! Opportunity lost, but not the end of the world. Polka fans need to forget about it, and get on with the business of promoting polka. Here’s how.
First, stop the infighting about what is the best genre of polka music. Polish, Slovenian, Czech, German and more are all legitimate styles of the music we love. It’s great to have a favorite, but it’s harmful – and totally unnecessary - to tear down the others. Resolve to speak only good about polka music. Second, recognize that polka provincialism is destructive too. What is polka provincialism? It’s the mistaken belief that polka was invented and only exists in your particular part of the United States. Polka is national, folks. And it’s all good! Third, continue to support your local polka dances and the major US festivals. Fourth, support the two national polka shows on TV (Jimmy Sturr, Big Joe), the internet shows, and your local polka radio shows. Spread the word about your favorites.
So Goodbye Grammy. Let’s get back to having fun!
Note from Rob Savickis
If you're not already a subscriber I definitely recommend you get a subscription to the Texas Polka News. It's only $25 a year which is a great deal as you get 12 monthly issues packed with all the latest polka news in an extremely well put together publication. Below is some more information from the paper as well as contact info:
If you’re looking for a great polka publication, check out The Texas Polka News. This monthly publication is one of the premier polka newspapers in the nation. It is the preferred national polka newspaper for the central and western part of the nation, with a circulation of about 1800. It features interesting articles about polka music and dancing, Texas and U.S. dance calendars, polka advertisements, human interest stories, and much more. The Texas Polka News is dedicated to the memory of founder Julius Tupa who published the paper for 15 years. It's mission is to help preserve and promote polka music and dance.
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/polka/news.html
OTHER POLKA SITES:
"As most polka fans already know, a large majority of the Polish polkas we now play actually originated, of course, in Poland. But rarely do we get to hear what these songs might have sounded like a century ago, in the small villages and towns they're from, played by Polish folk groups, with original instrumentation and lyrics. And in some cases, even the songs we would never have thought of as originating in Poland actually did. Some, in fact, even from Slovakia, The Czech Republic, or even farther."
"So, I've decided to start a little project to present the origins of some of the songs we love so much in the polka world, in their original forms and styles from Poland. I will upload several at a time and change them monthly or bi-weekly depending on interest level. Any input, knowledge, or criticism is of course appreciated and will be used to better this project."
"I encourage all the Polish polka lovers out there to check this out. In an era with so much change, it never hurts to reflect on the roots of our favorite music and take everyone back beyond where most our memories can reach. Back to the era our Dziadeks, Babcias, and Pradziadkowie remember from the old country."
http://wherepolkascomefrom.tripod.com
MUSIC STORES:
The Party Fiddle Factory "Stump" or "Stumpf" Fiddle is a unique folk music instrument with origins in the rhythm sticks of Central Europe. Stump Fiddles are common in Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Depending on locale, it may also be called the "Polka Cello", "Pogo Cello", "Poco Cello", "Hum Strum", "boom-ba", "boom bass", "Teufel Stick", among others. It is a muscial instrument that is fun and easy to play and can be played with virtually any type of upbeat music such as: Polkas, Bluegrass, Rock 'n Roll, Country, etc.
partyfiddle.com/
OC Music Supply is located in Southern California. They sell new and used musical items including guitars, guitar foot pedals, wireless systems, songbooks etc.
www.oc-music.com
