Join us for the IPA’s 55th Annual Festival of Bands Weekend Extravaganza on Saturday and Sunday, January 13th and 14th, 2024. Make plans now to attend this great two-day event! Hotel Reservations Special IPA hotel rates: Homewood Suites – This hotel is connected to the Element by the Odyssey Banquet…
The International Polka Association and Let’s Polka USA present the 12th Annual Unity/St. Joseph’s Day Dance on Sunday, March 17, 2024. This will be held at Royalty West Banquets, 8675 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs, Illinois. Doors will open at 12:30 pm, and music will be from 1 pm –…
2023 Leon Kozicki Trustees Award Winner: Rich Zebrowski Richie Zebrowski was born into a family deeply immersed in Polish tradition and polka music. His father, IPA Hall Of Fame inductee A.W. Zebrowski, a nationally known polka promoter, musician, and disc jockey in Cleveland Ohio, ensured that the entire family was…
International Polka Association Announces Hall of Fame Selections and Music Award Winners! The International Polka Association is proud to announce the results of the annual election conducted by the Academy of Electors and Trustees. At this time they have determined the 2023 Hall of Fame selectees and winners of the…
The judges for the 4th annual IPA Young Songwriter’s Competition have listened to and scored all the fantastic song submissions and are pleased to announce this year’s top 2 finalists. But who will take home the one thousand dollar top prize? The winner will be announced at the IPA Awards…
It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of 1986 IPA Hall of Fame Inductee Walt Groller. Please keep Walt’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. LEHIGH VALLEY POLKA LEGEND, WALT GROLLER PASSES AWAY AT AGE 92 The Lehigh Valley and the music world lost…
It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Bruno Mikos, who was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 1986. Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Mikos family. Bruno’s singing career began early. He learned to sing the “Two Bucks Polka” at the…
It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of IPA Hall of Fame Inductee Steve Meisner. Please keep his wife Barb, his children, grandchildren and all of his friends in your thoughts and prayers. Below is a statement posted by his family. The news we are forced…
So you think you can compose a hit polka or waltz?
Edward “Gus” Kosior was born and brought up in the Village of Florida, N.Y, right down the street from Jimmy Sturr. He grew up listening to Polka Music on the local radio station and at his high school dances. He and Jimmy went to school together at their local High…
With great sadness in our hearts, we inform you of the passing of Chester Pala of the Pala Brothers Orchestra. Chester, along with his brothers Wally and Al, formed their polka band in the 60s playing banquet halls, clubs and taverns throughout the Chicagoland area, Northwest Indiana, and across the…
Make your plans now to attend the 55th Annual IPA Festival and Convention September 1 – September 3, 2023 Labor Day Weekend DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh-Cranberry DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars, PA 16046 For Hotel Reservations: Our primary hotel is sold out. We…
It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Fred Bulinski. Fred was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 1992, he served on the IPA Board for several years as a director, was appointed the Chairman of the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in…
With great sadness, we inform you of the passing of Eugene Thoms, a past director of the IPA. Eugene Walter Thoms September 14, 1938 – December 5, 2022 If you knew Gene, you were better for it and perhaps bemused for it. Gene could read, write, and speak tirelessly on…
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of 2003 IPA Hall of Fame Inductee, Hank Haller. Our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Haller family and all of Hank’s Friends and Fans. Everyone remembers Hank Haller for his oom-pah music and lederhosen. But Hank was…
The IPA is excited to have the Wisconsin Festival of Bands Weekend. Located at: Townline Pub and Grill 2544 Lineville Road Suamico, WI 54313 Saturday, May 6, 2023 6 pm-10 pm 2014 IPA Hall of Fame Inductee Eddie Biegaj and Crusade Sunday May 7, 2023 – 12 pm – 5…
Join the International Polka Association in Celebrating January as National Polka Month Saturday, January 14, 2023 Music by: Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push Doors open at 4:30 pm – Music: 5 pm – 9 pm ADMISSION: $20 at the Door **A Special 2-Day pass will be available for $40** 54th…
It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Laura Bethke. Laura was a past financial secretary of the IPA for several years as well as the newsletter editor. She then assisted Leon Kozicki with the IPA Hall of Fame process when he was the Chairman. Laura…
The International Polka Association and Let’s Polka USA present the 11th Annual Unity/St. Joseph’s Day Dance on Sunday, March 19, 2023. This will be held at Royalty West Banquets, 8675 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs, Illinois. Doors will open at 12:30 pm and music will be from 1 pm –…
The IPA is sad to announce the closing of the historical Polonia Banquets. Polonia Banquets had an enormous history with polkas and the IPA. The full letter from the Machay family is presented below. After 58 years serving as the premier banquet facility in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood, Polonia Banquets…
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