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…

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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