IPA News – International Polka Association

IPA News

56th Annual IPA Polka Festival and Convention

Join us now for the 56th Annual International Polka Association Festival and Convention from August 30th to September 1st, 2024. We also have a special welcome party once again feature IPA Hall of Famer Alex Meixner on Thursday 29, 2024. 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:

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

Saturday, August 31st 10:45 AM Arrival & Seating11:00 AM Luncheon Tickets are $50 per person and can be reserved only by advance reservation. Reservations must be made before August 16th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased: For check payment, please fill out below reservation form and mail to: Polka Music Hall of Fame and Awards BanquetPO Box 1484Plainfield, IL 60544 Please contact Banquet Chairperson Lindsey Mateja at banquet@ipapolkas.com with any questions. Ticket confirmation and seating arrangements will be…

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: Nicky DiSebastiano

2024 Leon Kozicki Trustees Award Winner: Nicky 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 children: Angela,…

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…

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…

2023 Young Songwriters Competition Winning Song – “Good People” by Andrew Ratajczak

12th Annual IPA/Let’s Polka USA Unity/St. Patrick’s Day Dance

The International Polka Association and Let’s Polka USA present the 12th Annual Unity/St. Patrick’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 – 5 pm. Music will be provided by the IPA Tribute Band featuring IPA Polka Hall of Famer Rick Rzeszutko and special guest vocalist John Gora.

2023 Leon Kozicki Trustees Award Winner: Rich Zebrowski

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 raised knowing their heritage. As might be expected, he eventually started to play and sing the music he loved and had been surrounded by. At…

2023 IPA Hall of Fame Inductees & 2022 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 2023 Hall of Fame selectees and winners of the 2022 Polka Music Awards. The following candidates will be inducted into the International Polka Association Polka Music Hall of Fame® at the annual festival and…

2023 Young Songwriters Competition Finalists

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 Banquet during the IPA Festival and Convention in Cranberry Twp., Pennsylvania this Labor Day weekend. Stay tuned! Thank you to all of our composers who…

The passing of IPA Hall of Famer Walt Groller

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 a polka legend yesterday. 92-year-old Walt Groller passed away Monday evening. He was from Whitehall Township. Born to Austrian immigrants, he was known as one…

The passing of IPA Hall of Famer Bruno Mikos

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 age of five as he heard the song played on the Oskierko Polka Show over WJOB Radio in Hammond, Indiana. During his grammar schools days,…

The passing of IPA Hall of Famer Steve Meisner

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 to share with all of you will be as shocking and difficult for everyone to read as it is to write. It is with great…

Parade of Polka Bands Picnic – Sunday, August 6th, 2023

Make your plans now to attend the Parade of Polka Bands Picnic on Sunday, August 6th, 2023 at the great Hammond Mohawks Picnic Grove – 4040 Calumet Ave., Hammond, IN. Doors will open at 12:30pm and dancing is from 1pm until 6pm. Admission is only $15 and features five great bands including Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze, IPA Tribute Band, Polka Mojo, Polka Generations and DynaVersaStickToneAires.

Announcing the 4th Annual IPA Young Songwriters Competition for 2023

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