11th Annual IPA/Let’s Polka USA Unity/St. Joseph’s Day Dance

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 – 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.

Continue reading

Polonia Banquets Closing

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 will close its doors on Archer Avenue effective December 31, 2022. We are humbled and honored to have been a part of countless weddings, polka…

Continue reading

Passing of Karen Olszewski-Polisky

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Karen Olszewski-Polisky. Karen is the wife of bandleader and 2007 IPA Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Polisky of the Maestros Men. On behalf of the Officers, Directors and members of the IPA, we extended our deepest condolences and sympathies to Dennis and all of Karen’s family and friends. May she Rest In Peace. Click here for details regarding services  

Continue reading

Polka Polka Polka – A Review of the 54th Annual IPA Polka Festival and Convention

Polka Polka Polka Nathan Bottiger Eagle Staff Writer  September 06, 2022 Last Updated: September 05, 2022 10:38 PM  Local News The International Polka Association has a great send off evening at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry Sunday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 9/4/22 CRANBERRY TWP — They moved their feet to a Polka beat Sunday night at the DoubleTree by Hilton, the final of the 54th Annual International Polka Festival.…

Continue reading

2022 IPA Hall of Fame Inductees & 2021 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 2022 Hall of Fame selectees and winners of the 2021 Polka Music Awards. The following candidates will be inducted into the International Polka Association Polka Music Hall of Fame® at the annual festival and…

Continue reading

2022 Leon Kozicki Trustees Award Winner: Mike Stapinski

    2022 Leon Kozicki Trustees Award Winner: Mike Stapinski   Without a doubt, Mike Stapinski is considered one of the top sidemen in the Polish polka genre and his number is at the top of many band leaders’ cell phone speed dials.   Mike’s talents include proficiency on trumpet, clarinet, sax, bass guitar, lead guitar, drums, piano, concertina and vocals. Mike’s musical career began at the young age of 12 when he joined local…

Continue reading

2022 Joe Jozwiak Award Winner: Ernie Daigle

    Ernie Daigle honored with the International Polka Association’s Joe Jozwiak Award for 2022! The IPA Executive Board is proud to announce the selection of Ernie Daigle for the annual Joe Jozwiak Award. Originally called the Special Achievement Award, this honor is a tribute to the late IPA Director Joe Jozwiak who advocated for a way to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions toward the promotion of polka music.   Mr. Daigle, who…

Continue reading

IPA’s 3rd Annual Young Songwriter’s Competition – Cancelled

  The IPA regretfully announces that this year’s Young Songwriter’s Competition did not receive enough submissions in order to meet our minimum requirements for a fair competition. In so, we must unfortunately cancel this year’s competition. Thank you to the very talented composers who did submit their songs. We appreciate their efforts in submitting their original songs and urge them and others to submit again next year. The IPA’s mission is to promote polka music.…

Continue reading

IPA Polka Show on the Polka Jammer Network

The International Polka Association’s Polka Show has moved to the Polka Jammer Network! Same familiar Sunday morning time slot:  11am central, 12pm eastern. but on a new internet based station:  The Polka Jammer Network! Click here for all of the details

Continue reading