It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our IPA Advisor, Jerry Wantroba. Jerry passed away Monday, after a long Illness. Jerry’s family were residents of the McKinley Park neighborhood in Chicago, where so many Polkas stars lived. Jerry was first a sponsor on Chicago polka radio, as his business grew, he became more and more acquainted with the polka public and became involved in the IPA when we had…
The International Polka Association is excited to announce . . . The 52nd Annual Virtual Festival of Bands! Sunday, January 17th, 2021 3:00pm Central Time / 4:00pm Eastern Standard Time Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, we won’t be able to experience live music in person, but we thought it would be fun to provide videos of bands in the past that have performed at the IPA Festival of Bands. In 1968, Wisconsin Orchestra leaders decided to…
Unfortunately Polka Friends; Sad Mickey is back. The Warm-up Dance and Chicago Festival of Bands normally scheduled for the 3rd weekend in January have been POSTPONED due to the ongoing pandemic. Also the IPA Hall of Fame Benefit Dances in Ludlow, MA have been POSTPONED as well. Please stay tuned for more details as to when we will be able to reschedule. Please know that the health and safety of our…
The IPA has embarked on a project to interview many of our IPA Hall of Fame Inductees. The stories and memories have been fantastic, and we are excited to bring them to all of our polka friends. Listed below, you will find a link to our ever-growing set of IPA Interviews that we have published. You can view them directly on our IPA YouTube Page, along with videos that were shown at the IPA…
Attention Polka Artists/Bands: The International Polka Association has adopted a new electronic method for polka artists/bands, who are interested in being considered for IPA awards, to register and submit their recordings (if applicable). As you may know, the Academy of Electors, which comprises 195 electors from across the country, vote each year to determine IPA music award winners. To be placed on the ballot, all polka artists/bands, whether they released recordings or not, must…
2020 Winner and Runner Up Announced! Congratulations to Nathan Neuman and his song “Pass it On” as the winner of the International Polka Association’s 2020 Young Songwriter’s competition! Also; please congratulate Jenna Libera for securing second place for her polka “Sunshine” A big congratulations and Thank You to all of the finalists, and participants in this year’s inaugural competition. We look forward to next year’s submissions. Start Writing! Now take a listen…
Announcing the Cancellation of our 52nd Annual IPA Convention and Festival – In Buffalo, NY September 4th thru September 6th 2020. * * * * * * * * * * Press Release – July 2, 2020 IPA Festival and Cancellation Notice – July 2, 2020 In a mutual agreement between the International Polka Association and the Millennium Hotel – Buffalo, our 52nd Annual Festival and Convention scheduled for September 4 through September 6 has…
Don’t miss your chance to win part of the $5,300 in prize money we will be awarding in the 2020 Fall/Winter IPA Calendar Raffle! The first drawing of names will be held at our IPA “Virtual” Festival on the weekend of September 5th, 2020. So the sooner you get your tickets in, the more chances you have to win! All winners will be put back into the drum and are eligible for future drawings. All…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2020 On behalf of the International Polka Association Board of Trustees and Hall of Fame Committee, the IPA Officers and Directors are proud to announce the 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees as well as the 2019 Music Award winners. The IPA Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020, at the Millennium Hotel in Buffalo, New York. Congratulations to all award winners and inductees!…
Congratulations to this year’s recipient of the Leon Kozicki Trustee’s Award, Robert “Robbie” Piatkowski. Robbie most recently performs with the John Gora & Gorale Orchestra as their lead trumpet player. Over the years, the IPA Polka Hall of Fame® and Music Awards processes have rightfully recognized deserving polka musicians who attained prominence in the polka industry for their musical achievements that helped promote polka music and broaden its audience. Because of their highly visible roles,…
Our next General Meeting of the International Polka Association will be held as follows: Date: TBD Time: 7pm Eastern Time Location: Web-Ex Video Conference Thank you to all the members who attended our previous IPA General Meetings. The IPA Board will be hosting the next General Meeting on TBD, and we would like to invite all members to this event, which will be broadcasted virtually using WebEx. All members can dial in using their computers,…
For better than four decades now, this informally organized group from the Albany, N.Y./Western Mass. area (only a few of whom actually play polkas), has been supporting and promoting the music they obviously love, making it fun to be at the events they attend, and doing so with an enthusiasm that borders on mania. They have become fixtures at most every major dance/festival in the area (and beyond); have played a huge role in the…
The International Polka Association is proud to announce that they appointed Father Dennis A. Bogusz as the IPA Chaplain. Father Dennis A. Bogusz was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 11, 1950 to the late Florence Lewandowski Bogusz and the late Frank Bogusz. He received a BA in Theology from St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, Michigan and a Master of Divinity from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. He was ordained to the Priesthood…
Zelle is a free, built-in, money transferring service of a growing number of banks and credit unions. Currently over 700 financial institutions offer Zelle to their customers as a way to send money. Included in the list are some of the largest banks in the United States (Bank of America, Chase, Citi, Capital One, PNC, Fifth Third, Well Fargo, Etc). Paying your I.P.A. Membership dues using Zelle is fast, easy, and safe. If you don’t…
In the best interest of our members and guests, the International Polka Association and the American Legion Pulaski Post #357, have decided to cancel our event in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday, March 21st, because of the risks associated with the coronovirus. We apologize for any inconvenience and hopes to reschedule these events at a future date. Thank you for your understanding and please stay healthy and safe. Sincerely, Christy Krawisz I.P.A. President *…
In the best interest of our members and guests, the International Polka Association, and the Let’s Polka USA Club, have decided to cancel our event in Chicago, Illinois, at Glendora Banquets on Sunday, March 22nd, because of the risks associated with the coronovirus. We apologize for any inconvenience and hopes to reschedule these events at a future date. Thank you for your understanding and please stay healthy and safe. Sincerely, Christy Krawisz I.P.A. President…
Saturday, January 18th, 2020 I.P.A. Warm Up Dance Polonia Banquets: 4604 S Archer Ave. Chicago, IL ============================= Sunday, January 19th 2020 I.P.A. Festival of Bands Glendora Banquets: 10225 S Harlem Ave Chicago Ridge, IL ============================= For our “out of town” polka friends . . . For Information on Hotel Accommodations: Click Here! ============================= For Information on Hotel Accommodations: Click Here! =============================
The International Polka Association Releases Historic Recording As the International Polka Association prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the organization is proud to announce the release of a historic recording: “Here’s a Gift”. All Hall of Fame Inductees were invited to participate in this project, and the result included 39 Hall of Famers! Never before has such a collection of polka stars come together to perform on the same song. The song “Here’s a…
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of International Polka Association Hall of Fame member Michael Nowakowski. Mike was inducted into the I.P.A. Hall of Fame in 2004, credited not only as a fine musician, but also as the President and Executive Producer of the Sunshine record label. We send our condolences and deepest of sympathies to Mike’s family and friends May his soul rest in peace. Click here…
Please join our friends from the state of Texas as they celebrate January as “Polka Music Month” by holding their 5th annual International Polka Association fundraiser on Sunday, January 18th, 2020! Here are all of the details . . .
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