Jazzy Polka: Jazz musician with polka roots, Ben Pokluda, will bring his band Jazz Forever, to SPJST Lodge 88 on Sunday, January 27, from 1 to 6 p.m. Big band dress code applies (sigh). Ben is originally from Flatonia and has studied trumpet with a Rice University professor. His group fuses traditional New Orleans Ragtime with Big Band music. Maybe he'll even slip in a polka or two!!! Mardi Gras Polka: It only makes sense that happy music such as polka should be part of Mardi Gras madness. Two performances in Texas on Fat Tuesday (February 12) give you the chance to have your polka and swing to it to! In Dallas, Brave Combo will perform at the Meyerson Symphony Center with the Dallas Wind Symphony at 8 PM. Buy tickets! In New Braunfels, Alex Meixner Band will perform at the Brauntex Theatre at 8 PM. Buy tickets!
Mollie B Polka: Mollie B and Ted said their Squeezebox Texas Tour was GREAT!!! In fact, they say Texas would be a great place to live. Well, yeah! Come on down! After Mollie and Ted get back from their cruise, they'll be taping Mollie B's Polka Party in Ennis from February 21-24. Eight bands each day from 1 to 9 PM. Red Ravens have just been added to the lineup, which includes Squeezebox with Mollie B, Czech and Then Some, Kenny Brandt Band, Matt Hodek and the Dakota Dutchmen, Jerry Haisler & Melody 5, Ennis Czech Boys, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Jim Busta Band, Das Ist Lustig, Texas Tribute Band, Chris Rybak Band, Shiner Hobo Band, Alpenfest, Texas Dutchmen and The Royal Klobasneks. Valina and Ross of Das Ist Lustig will provide dance lessons on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 11:30 AM. Valina says dancers will learn some fun social folk dances that will be part of the live taping. Cool! Tickets to Mollie B's Polka Party are $15 a day ($20 at the door) or get a 4-day pass for $50. Buy tickets!