http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/type/festivals Upcoming accordion festivals from the Let's Polka calendar en-us The Solo Zydeco Festival -- formerly the Crosby Zydeco Festival -- is the largest zydeco festival in Texas and Southwest Louisiana featuring the hottest zydeco bands on a full weekend of great zydeco music. Performers at this year's festival include: * Chris Ardoin and NuStep * Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble * J Paul and the Zydeco NuBreeds * Marcus Ardoin and the Zydeco Legends * Leon Chavis and the Zydeco Flames * Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers * Jeffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys * Lil Nate and the Zydeco Big-Timers Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:25:58 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/13/2010-solo-zydeco-festival http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/13/2010-solo-zydeco-festival The 17th annual Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration celebrates accordion music at its finest: jazz, popular, classical, ethnic and everything in between. Accordion music pulses through the village as musicians (children through seniors) and music lovers flock to Leavenworth to compete for awards and cash, attend workshops, jam sessions, a film/video series, parade down Front Street and enjoy three nights of concerts and dances with world class musicians. Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:02:00 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/06/17/leavenworth-international-accordion-celebration-2010 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/06/17/leavenworth-international-accordion-celebration-2010 The Northwest Accordion Society presents their annual Day of the Accordion from 11am to 5pm at the Seattle Center. In addition to nonstop accordion music and dancing, there will be workshops, seminars, and free lessons. Performances by beginners and professionals alike. Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:56:28 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/28/day-of-the-accordion http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/28/day-of-the-accordion Join the Central Florida Accordion Club for Accordion Fest 2010 at the Elks Lodge in Orlando. It'll be a day full of entertainment, dinner, and dancing with performances, jams, workshops, vendors, and more. Performers include Vince Aleandri, Jimmy Horzen, Jim Andrykovich, The Orlando Buttoneers, Virgil Baker and the Just-4-Fun band. Festival runs from noon to 8pm. Price includes buffet lunch (early afternoon) and a light snack served about 6pm. Admission is $22 for CFAC members/$25 for non-members. Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:52:31 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/06/cfac-accordionfest-2010 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/06/cfac-accordionfest-2010 Enjoy Marshfield's annual Dance and Romance weekend, featuring two evenings of dancing to some of the finest polka bands around. Bands performing this year include: * Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push * Norm Dombrowski and The Happy Notes * Craig Ebel & DyVersaCo * Chad Przybylski & His Polka Rhythms Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:40:20 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/12/marshfield-dance-and-romance-weekend http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/02/12/marshfield-dance-and-romance-weekend The entire Bayou Region is invited to the second annual Louisiana Swamp Stomp Festival, slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 12-14, 2010. Swamp Stomp promises to be a unique, joyful celebration of south Louisiana culture. With entertainment by local and regional bands; a variety of south Louisiana foods; several presentations on the history, culture and economic development of the region; and artisans demonstrating their crafts and selling handmade items, participants can expect a memorable event. Among the musical talents scheduled to perform at Swamp Stomp are The Lost Bayou Ramblers; Geno Delafose & the French Rockin’ Boogie; and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:22:24 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/12/louisiana-swamp-stomp-festival http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/12/louisiana-swamp-stomp-festival Gator By The Bay, San Diego’s Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish Festival, will feature Cajun and Zydeco and blues bands performing on three stages, with huged wooden dance floors and comfortable festival seating. There will also be accordion workshops, Cajun and Creole food, cooking demonstrations, dance lessons, heritage presentations, a kids activity center, costumed New Orleans style daily parades as well as strolling entertainers. Featured zydeco performers include: * Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band * Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers * Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band ... and many more! Sun, 03 Jan 2010 10:19:38 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/05/07/gator-by-the-bay-2010 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/05/07/gator-by-the-bay-2010 The 11th annual El Veterano Conjunto Festival features more than a dozen artists honoring all veterans. Performers at this year's festival include: * Chano Cadena Y Su Conjunto * Boni Mauricio Y Los Maximos * Los D-Boyz de Kingsville, Tx * Linda Escobar * La Kreazion * Lobo IV * Los Arroyos Del Rio * Los Padrinos * Mickey Y Los Carnales * Lazaro Perez Y Su Conjunto * Conjunto Temblor * Conjunto Siguele de John Saenz * Kailey Dodson y Su Conjunto Admission is $10/person and proceeds benefit the Veterano Scholarship Fund. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:14:15 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/08/el-veterano-conjunto-festival http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/08/el-veterano-conjunto-festival A family-oriented festival of Polish music, song, dance and culture will be presented on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at the University Of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning. This cultural event is FREE and open to the public. A full schedule of continuous activities have been planned including live folk dance entertainment, cultural displays, Polish Gift & Import Mart, cooking and folk-art demonstrations, children’s “make-n-take” folkcrafts, Polish Bakery, ethnic foods and polka music. The theme of this year’s festival is “CELEBRATE THE POLISH HERITAGE” with “Folk Songs & Music - Radoslaw Fizek”, “Krakowiaki Folk Dance Circle” Youngstown, Oh. , “Syrena Folk Ensemble”, Cleveland, Oh. and the “Lajkoniki Polish Folk Ensemble” of McKeesport, Pa. Join in and dance the polka, enjoy some pierogi, create your very own pepercutting or have you child make a Polish Christmas ornament. For additional information please contact: (412) 231-1493. Proceeds to benefit the University Of Pittsburgh, Polish Room Scholarship Fund. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:26:31 -0800 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/08/polishfest http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/08/polishfest The National Accordion Association will be holding its annual convention March 10-14, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. Workshops, Seminars, Orchestras, Bands, Jam Sessions, Dealers, Swap Meet all on one floor! 25% more convention space. Saturday Evening Premium Banquet. Thursday, March 11, 2010: “Galla-Rini Appreciation Day”; Friday and Saturday will be jam-packed with activities. Every evening ends with public events Cost? Still the best in the business! Convention Fee: $189 per conventioneer Hotel Rates: $99 per night – double occupancy – with breakfast! Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:34:07 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/10/2009-national-accordion-association-convention http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/03/10/2009-national-accordion-association-convention The South Louisiana Black Pot Festival & Cookoff is one of the most unique festivals in Acadiana. Held annually at Lafayette’s Acadian Village, the festival celebrates its 4th year this October with two days of great music, dancing, food, camping & jamming. The festival is a cooperative of south Louisiana musicians, artists and roots enthusiasts, creating an unprecedented gathering of south Louisiana’s hottest roots bands, as well as a number of groups from all over the country. Live performances range from Cajun & Zaricôt (zydeco), to Creole, Swing, Hot Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Americana, Irish & Old-Time, this festival has something for everyone. Plus, an old-fashioned black pot cook-off, accordion contest, called square dancing, and ample camping space for tents & RV’s and much more! Performers at this year's festival include: * Red Stick Ramblers * Pine Leaf Boys * Corey Ledet * Bonsoir, Catin * Horace Trahan * Lost Bayou Ramblers * Little Freddie King * Walter Mouton and the Scott Playboys * Jesse Lege * Ginny & Tracy * Ed Poullard and Preston Frank * ... and many more! Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:12:19 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/30/south-louisiana-blackpot-festival http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/30/south-louisiana-blackpot-festival Join us at the longest-running Polish festival in upstate New York -- the 24th annual Dozynki Harvest Festival. Festivities begin at noon with the blessing of the harvest wreath and home-made Polish food. There'll be a bake shop, imported Polish items, gift basket raffles, polish folk, military, and church history exhibits, and performances by the Saint Adalbert's Dancers. There will also be polka dancing from 4pm to 8pm featuring music by the Polka Country Musicians. Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:39:12 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/18/dozynki-harvest-festival http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/18/dozynki-harvest-festival The Arizona Accordion Festival is a fun and music-filled yearly event held in October in Phoenix. It is held in combination with an Oktoberfest and features many of our club members playing continuously starting at noon. Carnival games, rides, food and a beer garden all in a wholesome environment provide fun for the entire family! Performers at this year's festival include Los Valley Boys and Joey Avila, the Hurricajuns, the Arizona Accordion Ensemble, and many members of the Arizona Accordion Club. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:23:45 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/17/arizona-accordion-festival http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/17/arizona-accordion-festival Peek'n Peak Resort & Spa is hosting our first ever Peak Polka Fest! Hosted by Polka DJ Kenny Olowin, there'll be live music and dancing, traditional food and beverages, and Polish folkart vendors. Bands performing include: * The Knewz * The City Side Band * Jimmy K. and Ethnic Jazz * The Joe Matczak Band Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:14:04 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/13/peak-polka-fest http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/13/peak-polka-fest Beckster Fest is an annual polka festival put on each year by Barefoot Becky the weekend after Memorial Day. We have 8-9 bands throughout the weekend playing in 2 air conditioned buildings with wooden dance floors. Food and drink is available. And while it's a polka fest, the bands also play a variety of music including waltzes, foxtrots, country, big band, schottisches, and more. Bands at this year's festival include: * Barefoot Becky * Julie Lee & The White Rose Band * Goodtime Dutchmen * Lyle Beaver * Zweifel Brothers * Gary’s Ridgeland Dutchmen * Karl's Country Dutchmen * Squeezebox * Malek's Fishermen Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:49:49 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/06/04/beckster-fest http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2010/06/04/beckster-fest Held every year in the beautiful downtown Riverwalk area on the historic grounds of La Villita (3 blocks south of the Alamo on South Alamo Street), the International Accordion Festival features performances, workshops, open mic sessions and accordion jams. On three stages, enjoy ensembles from around the globe playing everything from Panamanian pindin to Parisian musette, from Balkan to Basque, from Czech polka to Creole zydeco, from Americana to Acadiana and much more. In our workshop area, find informal sessions and performances featuring up-close and personal interactions with master artists and their music. It's big, it's outdoors, it's three days. It's dancing and fun for the whole family. The festival boasts ethnic foods, beverage and merchandise booths throughout the weekend. Best of all, Saturday and Sunday admission is FREE all day! Performers at this year's festival include: * Joel Guzman & Sarah Fox * Jaime Y los Chamacos * Mingo Saldivar y los Cuatro Espadas * Buckwheat Zydeco * The Ivan Milev Band * Miguel Afonso y su Grupo * Georges Lammam Ensemble * Guy Klucevsek * Daniel Diaz & Lia Davis * The Zydepunks * Jo Miller & Her Burly Roughnecks * Hugh Morrison & Lonestar Stout * and more! Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:04:33 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/09/international-accordion-festival http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/09/international-accordion-festival The Florida and Southeast Accordion Associations are proud to present their 9th annual SMASH!, with an all-start lineup of performers including: Murl Allen Sanders Murl is an independent, modern accordionist, pianist, composer, teacher and recording artist who plays pop, rock, zydeco, country, jazz, blues and various ethnic styles on piano and accordion. He has worked with such diverse national and international artists as: Chuck Berry, Etta James, Merrilee Rush, Theodore Bikel, Peter Duchin, Leslie Gore, The Von Trapp Children, Lee Oskar, OhNo, Underground Resistance, Leroy Bell, Clare Fischer, Todd Simon, and composer David Matthews. Cory Pesaturo A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, where he was the first to major in accordion. At age 21, Cory's extensive resume includes 4 performances for President & Mrs. Clinton! Alex Meixner Grammy-nominated musician & producer to perform on both instruments! Alex Meixner’s performing career began at age 6 with his two sisters and father in an ethnic folk ensemble. From these early experiences through headline appearances at music festivals throughout the US; concert performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, Sandy Duncan and his own jazz and ethnic ensembles; as well as over 40 recordings, Meixner has developed a unique musical mix that appeals to a wide cross-section of audiences. Tony Lovello “Living Legend of the Accordion” to perform - watch him WOW the crowd, and don’t forget to bring your seatbelt! In addition to his performance, we are "roasting" Tony this year. Come out and witness THE LOVELLO ROAST. Tony is also doing us the honor of CONDUCTING THE ACCORDION ORCHESTRA, in which all attendees are welcome to participate! Walter Kasprzyk Two-time Connecticut state championship winner, and part of the world-famous K Trio, to perform at the SMASH. We understand he's got a surprise in store for Tony Lovello! Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:58:58 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/13/9th-annual-florida-accordion-smash http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/11/13/9th-annual-florida-accordion-smash Join us for a video taping of polka bands for Big Joe's national TV show, seen coast-to-coast on RFD-TV. It's four full days of music and dancing , with eight bands performing each day -- come dance and see yourself on national TV! Bands already scheduled include: * David City Button Club * Tyndal Accordion Club * Dick Zavodny Polka Band * Jerry Beauchamp Band * Pavelkas * Czech Friends Polka Band * Clarkson Czech Band * Paul Kothe Band * Kevin Chelewski Band * Larry Koncel Band * Joe Dolezal Band * Mark Karasek * Manchester Polka Band * The Sand Hillers * Tony Sydzyik Band * Herman Dyngus * Red Raven Orchestra * The Harmony Boys Orchestra * Gene Urkoski Orchestra * Eddie Malina Orchestra * Bumble Bee's Polka Show Band * Moostash Joe * Bob Zagozda Orchestra * Wes Windholtz Band * Triple P Band * Duffy Balorad Orchestra * Jim Kucera * Mark Vyhlidal * Less Talk More Polkas Additional bands yet to be added; band and time schedule subject to change. Order tickets early at 1-800-25POLKA. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:01:35 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/22/big-joes-tv-polka-fest http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/10/22/big-joes-tv-polka-fest Under The Volcano Festival Of Art & Social Change is an activist, grassroots gathering held at Whey-Ah-Wichen Cates Park on the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Under the Volcano is Canada's largest political arts festival and is 100% volunteer produced. 30+ Artists, 4 Stages, Workshops, Artisans Market, Community Info Fair and more! Rain or Shine! Accordion-toting performers include Chervona, Lonesome Valley Singers, and more. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:16:40 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/08/09/under-the-volcano-festival http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/08/09/under-the-volcano-festival Houston Accordion Performers will have a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting all day event scheduled for Sept. 12, 2009. The day will start with an "Accordion Band" appearance in the Fiestas Patrias International Parade in Houston and ending at the studio, 1547 S. Richey, Pasadena, TX with a parking lot concert and celebration. The brand new accordion music school has opened in the Houston, TX area named Houston Accordion Performers. The owners, Shelia Lee and Mark Ropel are no novices to the accordion world. They both have played piano accordion since age 5 and were raised in the "accordion studio" environment with private and band lessons. They both have years of teaching experience starting with studies with such teachers as Willard Palmer and Anthony Galla-Rini. Shelia formerly owned Shelia¹s Accordion Conservatory in Dayton, Ohio. Houston Accordion Performers opened in Jun 2009 and already can boast that they are teaching Chromatic (Bayan), piano accordion, and GCF Button Diatonic accordion lessons. They have a roster of over 5 instructors and 6 consulting performing musicians. Shelia and Mark are promoting the "studio environment" with private, group, and band lessons - with an emphasis on the ethnic influences that have occurred in the past years with the accordion becoming so prominent in Tex/Mex, Norteño, Tejano, Conjunto, Zydeco, Cajun, and Cumbia music. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:13:53 -0700 http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/09/12/houston-accordion-performers-grand-opening http://www.letspolka.com/calendar/2009/09/12/houston-accordion-performers-grand-opening