Don Hunjadi grew up with polka music, often watching his father, Richard, perform on stage as the drummer with Milwaukee polka great, Louie Bashell. Although he started playing trumpet in the fifth grade, by age 14, Don became the bass player with the Joey Klass band. At 17 he began playing saxophone and had his first opportunity to enter a recording studio where he became fascinated with the recording process and equipment. Only a few…

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It is with sadness that we notify our members and friends of the passing of former IPA Director Leonard Wrobel. Lenny served as a director for the International Polka Association and was passionate about polka music.  Lenny passed away peacefully of natural causes on July 22nd, 2021 in Erie, PA. Our sincere condolences go out to Lenny’s family and friends; he will be greatly missed by all. Eternal rest grant onto Lenny, and may the…

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It is with deep sadness that the International Polka Association announces the passing of Former IPA Director Patricia “Pat” Maduzia. Pat was very active in the polka community both in the Chicago area and across the country.    Pat would be frequently seen in front of the bandstand dancing and singing along with the polka bands. Pat is the wife of IPA Hall of Fame member Wally Maduzia and the mother of Michael (drummer for…

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It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of IPA Hall of Fame Inductee Adam Barthalt, who was inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in 2006. Adam G. Barthalt died on April 24, 2021 at Peconic Bay Medical Center. He was 85 years old. He was born on June 11, 1935 in Ridgewood, New York to Adam and Susanna (Harnacker) Barthalt. He graduated from Cairo High School. He was…

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It is with great sadness to inform you that IPA Past President Patricia “Pat” Mikos passed away on February 25th, 2021. Condolences to the entire Mikos family and to all of her many polka friends. Visitation/Wake:   March 1st, 2021 beginning at 9am Hickey Memorial Chapels2429 W 127th StBlue Island IL 60406   Prayer service will begin 10am at the funeral home before proceeding to St Benedict Church for  Mass.   St Benedict Church 2339…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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  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…

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