IPA News – International Polka Association

IPA News

57th Annual IPA Polka Festival and Convention

Join us now for the 57th Annual International Polka Association Festival and Convention from August 29th to August 31st, 2025. We also have a special welcome party once again featuring IPA Hall of Famer Alex Meixner on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Schedule Hotel Location and Reservations DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Pittsburgh Cranberry910 Sheraton DriveMars, PA 16046724-776-6900 The IPA has secured special rates and you can make your reservation by clicking on the button below:…

2025 IPA Hall of Fame Selectees & 2024 Music Award Winners!

The IPA is proud to announce the results of the annual election conducted by the Academy of Electors and Trustees that determines the 2025 Hall of Fame selectees and winners of the 2024 Polka Music Awards. This year, the following candidates will be inducted into the IPA Polka Music Hall of Fame: Living Category: John Krawisz, Mark Janson Deceased Category: Bob Earl, Chester Pala Pioneer Category: Richard Sendra The 2024 IPA Polka Music Award Winners…

Announcing the 6th Annual IPA Young Songwriters Competition for 2025

So you think you can compose a hit polka or waltz? What’s new this year? Well, there is now NO minimum age. The competition is open to anyone 39 years old or younger as of the July 1st, 2025 deadline. Click HERE to go to the Submission Form and see instructions, eligibility and terms. IPA Young Songwriters Video Ad

IPA/USPA Unity Dance in Western Pennsylvania – April, 26, 2025

The IPA and USPA are doing their first-ever joint unity dance in Western Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Location Kinloch Firehall915 New York Ave.New Kensington, PA 15068 Dates Saturday, April 26th, 20255:00-9:00 pm (Doors Open at 4:00pm) Reservations or More Information Chris Bogdon – 412-260-9725 – chris@westernpapolkas.comCindy Fisher – 216-299-0934

IPA Polka Music Hall of Fame and Music Awards Banquet Tickets are Now Available

Saturday, August 30th, 2025 10:45 AM Arrival & Seating11:00 AM Luncheon Tickets are $60 per person and can be reserved only by advance reservation. Reservations must be made before August 15th, 2025. For more information and purchase your tickets, please click on the following:

The Passing of IPA Hall of Famer Don Peachey

With great sadness, we inform you of the passing of Don Peachey, a 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee. We offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all his polka friends and fans. Don C. Peachey, 91, of Burnett passed away peacefully at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Don was born on July 21, 1933 the son of James E. and Vivian V. (Hanser)…

56th Annual Festival of Bands and Warm Up Dance – Jan 18 and 19th, 2025

Join the International Polka Association in Celebrating January as National Polka Month with our 56th Annual Festival of Bands Weekend. Location Elements by the Odyssey Banquet Hall16235 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park, IIllinoisLocated behind and connected to the Homewood Suites Hotel Lodging Homewood Suites Hotel16245 South Lagrange RoadOrland Park, IL 60467 · Special Rate for the IPA is $159. The Homewood Suites Hotel is connected to Odyssey Banquet Hall. Warm-Up Dance – Saturday, January 18,…

19th Annual IPA Hall of Fame Benefit Dance – March 8 and 9th, 2025

Location Polish American Citizens Center355 East StreetLudlow, MA 01056 Saturday, March 8th Music by the Dynatones7pm – 11pmAdmission $20 Sunday, March 9th Honoring the music of the G-Notes with a Special Tribute to Johnny KarasFeaturing:Lenny GomulkaPiatkowski BrothersThe Baltic Boys2pm – 7pmAdmission: $20 Tickets For tickets, please contact: Ernie Daigle: 413-519-7014Peter Danielczuk: 203-231-1819

13th Annual IPA and Let’s Polka USA Unity Dance – March 16, 2025

The International Polka Association and Let’s Polka USA presents the 13th Annual Unity Dance on Sunday, March 16, 2025 New Location Elements by the Odyssey Banquet Hall16235 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park, IIllinoisLocated behind and connected to the Homewood Suites Hotel Unity Dance Music by the IPA Tribute BandFeaturing Polka Music Hall of Famer Rick Rzeszutko and special guest Vocalist Polka Music Hall of Famer from Canada, John Gora

Parade of Polka Bands Picnic and Baseball with the Cubs – Aug 17 and 18, 2024

Join us on Saturday, August 17th, and Sunday, August 18th, for a weekend of Baseball and Polkas. Saturday, August 17th Daytime “Rooftop Baseball” outside of Wrigley Field: 3643 N. Sheffeld Ave. To book your day of rooftop baseball fun, please follow these simple steps: Start at website: https://www.wrigleyrooftopsllc.com/ Sunday, August 18th The International Polka Association Proudly Presents The Parade of Polka Bands Picnic Hammond Mohawks Picnic Grove 4040 Calumet Ave.Hammond, IN Gate opens at 12:30pm…

Notice of Proposed Changes to the By Laws

This notice officially proposes changes to IPA By-Laws that have already been reviewed by the IPA Executive Board. Per procedure, they are being published in this newsletter for consideration by our general membership. From May 1, 2024, to June 20, 2024, our general membership will vote on whether to approve these changes. Members may use one of the following voting methods: 1.) Calling in their “yes” or “no” vote to the IPA – 800-867-6552, leave a…

Announcing the 5th Annual IPA Young Songwriters Competition for 2024

So you think you can compose a hit polka or waltz? What’s New This Year? Submissions are limited to ONE song per songwriter for songs you composed on your own. One additional submission can be made if it was co-written with another songwriter. Click HERE to go to the Submission Form and see instructions, eligibility and terms. For more information, please listen to the following radio spot

The Passing of IPA Hall of Famer Florian Chmielewski

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Florian Chmielewski, a 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee. We offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all his polka friends and fans. Florian W. Chmielewski, Sr., age 97, of Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. Florian was one of 15 children, born to Tony and Tillie Chmielewski on the family…

2024 Joe Jozwiak Award Winner: Raymond Kanoza

I was born on January 28, 1952, in Oshawa, Ontario (Canada), the first of my two siblings, both sisters (Christine and Theresa), to be welcomed home by two loving parents, Joseph and Aurelia Kanoza. Both mom and dad were born in Poland. I grew up in a lovely Polish and catholic home. Music and family gatherings were a common occurrence in our home. Mom and Dad, as well as both family and friends, loved music…

2024 Leon Kozicki Trustees Award Winner: Nicola “Nicky D” DiSebastiano

2024 Leon Kozicki Trustees Award Winner: Nicola “Nicky D” DiSebastiano Nicola “Nicky D” DiSebastiano, born in Abruzzi, Italy, immigrated to the United States of America in 1958, settling in Baltimore along with three sisters: Francesca, Maria, Carmela, Mother Consolina, and Father Angelo. At 4 ½ years of age, he still vividly remembers seeing the Statue of Liberty as the ship sailed into the New York City harbor. He is also a proud Father of four…

2024 IPA Hall of Fame Inductees & 2023 Music Award Winners!

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 2024 Hall of Fame selectees and winners of the 2023 Polka Music Awards. The following candidates will be inducted into the International Polka Association Polka Music Hall of Fame® at the annual festival and…

Congratulations to the winners of the Sept-Dec 2023 IPA Calendar Raffle

The IPA would like to congratulate all the winners of the 2023 IPA Calendar Raffle. Date Name/State Amount 9/1/23 Wallace Stanczyk, WI $100 9/2/23 Leonard and Barbara Palkowski, MI $100 9/3/23 James Witulski, NC $100 9/4/23 Sandy Earl, OH $40 9/5/23 Jill Styczynski, WI $40 9/6/23 Edward Grudi, PA $40 9/7/23 Adam Biskup, Canada $40 9/8/23 Father Dennis Bogusz, PA $40 9/9/23 Edward Sienkowski, IN $40 9/10/23 Rob Piatkowski, NY $40 9/11/23 Nancy Kikel, PA…

Wisconsin Spring into Polkas

Join the IPA as we welcome Spring in Wisconsin with two great days of polka dancing. One Saturday May 4, 2024 from 6pm-10pm, we welcome the Dynabrass to Wisconsin and then on Sunday, May 5, 2024, we welcome five great polka bands from Wisconsin for the Pulaski Area Festival of Bands. The Bands Include: The New Generation, The Mix, Aaron Socha & Livewire, Maroszek Brothers and Zander and his Music Ray’Makers. The Dance will be…

IPA Receives a Grant from City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)

On behalf of the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), we are pleased to announce that International Polka Association has been selected to receive a grant in the amount of $10,000 for general operating support. DCASE received a significant increase to the Cultural Grants Program budget in 2022, signifying Mayor Lightfoot’s commitment to the arts as an essential part of life for Chicago residents. We are pleased to be able to allocate…

17th Annual IPA Hall of Fame Benefit Dance

Join us for the 17th Annual IPA Hall of Fame Benefit Dance at the Polish American Citizens Center in Ludlow, MA 01056. The jam-packed weekend features the Polka Country Musicians on Sat, March 9th, from 7-11 pm. Then, on Sunday, March 10th, from 2 pm-7 pm, there will be music honoring the Krew Brothers along with Lenny Gomulka, Eddie Forman Orchestra and Dennis Polisky and Maestro’s Men. Advanced Tickets can be purchased from Ernie Daigle…