Navihanke - Slovenian tunes medley

This is a nice medley of some popular Slovenian tunes, performed by ensemble Navihanke. All the members of this band are young ladies, still students.

Enjoy! :)

Unique accordion

The new season of Slovenia's Got Talent (SIT - Slovenija ima talent) seems to be the talk of the last few days in Slovenia. Poplular and well known folk ensemble Azalea was one of the performers that caught the most attention with their performance and this unique accordion (see photo below).

Ensemble Azalea at Slovenia's Got Talent (Slovenija ima talent) - Foto: Dejan Vrtačnik

The four members of Azalea performed the song Poison in some kind of polka-rock style and the audience loved them - and so did the three judges. Good luck, Azalea!

Here's a video with another polka by ensemble Azalea - from one of the folk music festivals in Slovenia (2. festival za Veliko nagrado Dolenjske, Šentjernej 2010):

Related articles

• Married to the Accordion (bilerico.com)
• VIDEO: Land & Sea meets an accordion master (cbc.ca)

Srečen - Happy

"Srečen" - Happy - is one of those things that probably every human being wants to be - as much - or as often - as possible.

Some recent events reminded me again how irrelevant so many things we tend to worry about in life are and I am now even more determined to stay focused on the bright side of my life.

That's why I decided to share some happiness with this happy polka, performed by an excellent Slovenian ensemble "Novi Spomini." I very much admire them for the incredible vocals.

Enjoy: "Srečen" (Happy) and "Novi Spomini" (New Memories)!


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Related articles

• Can I Be Happier? (findingmyhappierself.wordpress.com)
• Happiness :) (randomshootingstar.wordpress.com)
• Special for My Love (rivayhutabarat.wordpress.com)

Name Day tradition in Slovenia

In Slovenia, the Name Day - "god" in Slovenian, is still way more important to a lot of people than their birthday - and that's what they celebrate every year. Just last night Nežka was telling me about the Name Day tradition in the village near Domžale, where she comes from.

In my early years, the traditional celebrations haven't been a significant part of my life - although I lived in a small village with around 600 residents, scattered around pretty large area. But my mom was a teacher and my dad was a journalist and they both worked all days. Therefore, when other kids spent their out-of-school time on the fields, pastures and woods or in the barns, I was with either of my grandmothers - pretty far away - or on the beach.

A few minutes ago I came across a post on FaceBook, saying that today is "god" - the Name Day of all whose name is "Jože, Jožica, Joci, Pepi, Pepca..."

I can easily imagine that tonight is about to be a party night for a lot of Slovenians because these are all very common names and "veselice" will happen in private homes and public places.

Let's join in the party with this lively polka "Ljubim Jožico" (I Love Jožica) performed by one of my favorite Slovenian bands, Donačka.

"Lepo praznujte" (happy celebration)! :)


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Related articles

• Pust - Ljubljana, Slovenia (travelpod.com)
• Just returned - Novo Mesto, Slovenia (travelpod.com)
• Where in the World is Slovenia? (winecompass.blogspot.com)

Ansambel Osminka

For all of you who are planning to be at the biggest annual celebration of ethnic culture - Slovenefest 2010, held every second weekend of July at the SNPJ Recreation Center in the Borough of SNPJ (Enon Valley), PA - it's no news that there will be lots of popular polka bands entertaining visitors for three days:

Bob Turcola Orchestra, Mikey Dee Band, Dick Tady Orchestra, Fred Ziwich & the ISM, Frank Stanger Orchestra, Karl Lukitsch Band, Don Wojtila Orchestra, The Polka Quads, Jack Tady & the JTB, Eddie Rodick Orchestra, Joe Grkman Orchestra, Bob Kravos Band, Ansambel Osminka (from Slovenia), Ansambel Dvojčki, Jim Rhoades Band, Fairport Jammers, Western Pa. BBC, Button Box Buddies, Joe Novak & Friends, Magic Buttons, Happy Timers, Mahoning Valley BBC, Frank Moravcik Band and likely some others.

The only Slovenian group at this year's Slovenefest is "Ansambel Osminka" which is not one of the best known polka music groups around so I did some research on them and found a few videos - to give you a taste of what to expect at the SNPJ's International Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday.

Video above: Ansambel Osminka - Po nevesto (live)

Video above: Ansambel Osminka - Dixie (live)

Video above: Ansambel Osminka - Pastirček (live)

Video above: Ansambel Osminka - S pesmijo našo (live)

I personally find their playing quite outstanding and hope many will agree with me after watching the videos above.

Members of "Ansambel Osminka": Anija Janežič, Toni Novak, Gregor Budal, Grega Logar, Nevio Prosen, David Dovgan, Miha Ziccardi

Photo above: Ansambel Osminka from Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia

For more information about
Slovenefest XXIX: July 9-11, 2010
click on the link above, it opens a new window.
There you will find a complete schedule of events for this three-day event where you can enjoy the ethnic food, music, culture and fun of Slovenia. See you there!! :)

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Folk Rock - Narodnozabavni Rock

Slovenian Eurovision Song Contest (EMA) took place on February 21st of 2010. An overwhelming winner was the song "Narodnozabavni rock" (Folk Rock or Polka Rock), performed by two groups:

• popular folk band "Ansambel Roka Žlindre" (Rok Žlindra Ensemble) and
• popular rock band "Kalamari" (Calamari)

The tune is an interesting mix of button box - pop - polka music and rock rhythm which obviously took hearts of Slovenian tele-voters (audience voting via phones). 

Photo above: Jože Jež - Pepi, "Kalamari" vocal and Barbara Ogrinc, "Ansambel Roka Žlindre" vocal after winning Slovenian Eurovision Song Contest (EMA) at "Gospodarsko razstavišče" in Ljubljana

On May 29, the selected Slovenian contestant will compete at the finals  of the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway - if they make it through the semi-finals.



Video above: "Narodnozabavni rock" tune performed live in Ljubljana on February 21, 2010

According to Rok Žlindra, the members of his folk ensemble will stay authentic and in Oslo perform in Slovenian ethnic clothing, like they always do.

After winning EMA contest in Ljubljana, the winners stated that it's time for the European pop audience to experience the sound of button box music - which they will deliver.

In the recent years button accordion once again became so widely popular with all generations of musicians all across Slovenia that some people are saying they wish for some more piano accordions at the folk festivals.

Good luck to "Ansambel Roka Žlindre" and "Kalamari."

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Festival Slovenian Polka and Waltz

I'm on my laptop, waiting for the "16. festival SLOVENSKA POLKA IN VALČEK" (16th Festival Slovenian Polka and Waltz) to start live on TV Slovenia 1. 14 new tunes, all performed live, straight from the crib of the Cleveland-Style... :)

"Festival SLOVENSKA POLKA IN VALČEK" is the biggest folk music event in Slovenia and the winning groups (one in Polka and one in "Valček" - Waltz category) usually become very popular overnight. Then their tunes are playing often on the local and national radio stations, they get invitations to perform in most watched TV shows and other folk groups play tunes of the year at dances all over the country and abroad.

If you're up to listening to some good polka music, here's the link that will take you directly to the video (unfortunately, Slovenian National TV website did not provide the embed code for the show). So, click below, this link opens a new window and starts playing after a few moments:
Festival Slovenian Polka and Waltz

This year, Festival Slovenian Polka and Waltz also stirred quite a buzz on Facebook. Many participating ensembles were inviting their FB friends to come to the live event - or at least vote for them via tele-voting.

We will hear 14 new tunes, performed live at "Marmorna dvorana (Marble Hall) - Gospodarsko razstavišče" in Ljubljana.

The show began with last year's winners, "Ansambel Roka Žlindre" and their Slovenian Waltz 2009: Del srca and "Ansambel Golte" and their Slovenian Polka 2009: Če te luna nosi. 

The 2010 list of competing groups and tunes, chosen out of 76 that applied:

1. Ansambel Lisjaki (Ensemble He-Foxes) - waltz "Zdaj, ko je daleč dom" (Now that home is far away)
2. Tapravi faloti (Real Scoundrels) - polka "Muzikanti, muzikanti (Musicians, musicians)
3. Donačka - waltz "Vem, da nisem sama" (I Know I'm not Alone)
4. Rudi Šantl in Šank kvintet - polka "Nas glasba osrečuje" (Music makes us happy)
5. Iskrice (Sparks) - waltz "Sedem let sva se ljubila" (We loved each other for seven years)
6. Pajdaši (Comrades) - polka "Drobna laž" (Little Lie)
7. Zapeljivke (Seducing Girls) - waltz "Le noč bo prespala ob meni" (Only night will sleep next to me)
8. Veseli svatje (Happy Wedding Guests) - polka "Ljubim ženo poročeno" (I love a married woman)
9. Domen Kumer s prijatelji (Domen Kumer with Friends) - waltz "Nekoč bom jaz tvoj angel" (Some day I'll be your angel)
10. Novi spomini (New Memories) - polka "Fičfirič" (Good-for-nothing)
11. Štajerski baroni (Viscounts from Štajerska Region) - waltz "Pesem o ljubezni" (Song about love)
    
12. Naveza (Attachment) - polka "Pa naj ji bo" (Let her be)
13. Zaka' pa ne (And why not) - waltz "Pridi nazaj" (Come back)
14. Vihar (Storm)- polka "Še čakam te" (I'm still waiting for you)

For ten minutes Slovenians can vote for their favorite tune from stationary and mobile phones.

The panel of judges, three generations of 5 professional musicians chose:

• best lyrics: Donačka - waltz "Vem, da nisem sama" (I Know I'm not Alone)
• best trio: Novi spomini (New Memories) - polka "Fičfirič" (Good-for-nothing)
• best quintet: Donačka - waltz "Vem, da nisem sama" (I Know I'm not Alone)

While waiting for the votes, absolute winners of  "Festival SLOVENSKA POLKA IN VALČEK 2005"  - Zlati muzikanti (Golden musicians) are playing their winning tune "Berač" (Beggar).

Then, vocalist Irena Verčkovnik, celebrating 20th anniversary of her performing, joins "Zlati muzikanti" and sings with them the famous waltz "Jadraj z menoj" (Sail with me) by Slavko Avsenik.

Štajerskih 7 (The 7 from Štajerska Region) are next on the stage with one of the most beautiful Slovenian waltzes - "Pesem zvonov" (Song of the bells).

Nuška Drašček joins them to sing "Venček polk" (Polka Medley) with them.

The new best Slovenian polka for 2010 is:
Novi spomini (New Memories) - polka "Fičfirič"

And new best Slovenian waltz for 2010 is:
Iskrice (Sparks) - waltz "Sedem let sva se ljubila" (We loved each other for seven years)

Now it's time for the second round of tele-voting during which the listeners are voting for the absolute winner - one of the above two.

In the meantime, Ansambel Franca Miheliča is playing "Slovenski venček" (Slovenian Medley). In 2010 they celebrate their 45th anniversary.

Time to announce the group that received most tele-votes -
Absolute winners of this festival:
Novi spomini (New Memories) - polka "Fičfirič" (Good-for-nothing)

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Slovenian Waltz 2009

While I'm working on videos and photos taken at the last three events, here's some more popular "narodno-zabavna glasba" (folk music), made in Slovenia.

For today I chose for you Slovenian Waltz of the year 2009 "Del srca" (Piece of Heart) by a very successful and popular, young Slovenian ensemble: Ansambel Roka Žlindre (Rok Žlindra Ensemble)



Rok Žlindra (band leader and button accordion player) wrote 40+ or his own melodies and the group is about to release the third CD. Rok Žlindra Ensemble won several awards for their tunes.

And another waltz video spot by the same group: Ansambel Roka Žlindre - "Srce pa še vedno hrepeni" (Longing Heart)

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Slovenian Polka 2009

I'll be away for a few days so I'm sending some energizing Slovenian music your way. :)

First, here's best Slovenian polka of 2009 by Ansambel Golte (Golte Ensemble):
"Če te luna nosi"

The title seems kind of difficult to translate - it's something like "Moonwalking" - you know, the kind that happens to men who are totally in love and all they can see and think about are their sweetheart's hands, touching them.



And if you like Ansambel Golte, here's another one of their polka videos "Če je ljubezen greh" (If love is a sin). It's a happy tune, which is obvious from the video part.



Enjoy the happy music, have the most beautiful weekend and keep smiling!! :)
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Slovenian Style Polka Music

If you have an hour to spare and you're in a mood for some good Slovenian style polka music, watch the video below.  Underneath the video I am including a short transcript (since the whole thing is in Slovenian language), the list of performers and some information about the musicians.

Please let me know if you enjoyed this post. In case I get a good feedback, I'll do something like this again, soon.

1. oddaja iz hotela faraon v Celju from mitty on Vimeo.

Video above - Slovenian style polka music: "Polka in Majolka" (Polka and Maiolica) TV show, recorded at the Faraon (Pharaoh) Hotel in Celje - Part 1

Commercial time is very limited, there's some talking in Slovenian - but for the most part, lots of good polka music by seven polka bands and one individual diatonic accordion player. Enjoy!! :)

• @ 01:50 new theme song for the 2010 "Polka in Majolka" (Polka and Maiolica) TV show, performed by "Ansambel Azalea" (Azalea Ensemble) and "Navihani muzikanti" (Naughty Musicians)
• @ 05:50 waltz "Na Golte" by "Ansambel Golte." Golte Ensemble comes from the area or Mount Golte, also a popular ski resort. One of their polkas was awarded the title "most popular polka of the year 2009."
• @ 10:55 polka "Vroča kri" (Hot blood) by "Ansambel Golte."
• @ 14:10 polka "Zasuči me" by "Navihanke" (Naughty Girls) - all-girls college students band. The song is about dancing: turn, turn, turn me around...
• @ 19:33 polka "Študentska je težka" (Students' Life Is Tough) - by "Navihanke." The title of this tune appears to be descriptive enough - it's about the difficult life of the students, especially after too much partying and exams approaching... :)
• @ 23:25 polka "Moja šoferka" (My She-Chauffeur) by "Mladi godci" (Young Fiddlers) from Horjul.
• @ 32:47 polka "Naj pesem zazveni" by the legendary vocalist Rudi Šantel and his "Šank kvintet"
• @ 36:21 polka by "Družina Ferme" (Family Ferme) from Vrhnika (also the town where the most famous Slovenian doughnuts come from). Ferme family is likewise known for manufacturing of button accordions ("Goti" brand). Each of the members (father, two sons and a daughter) plays several instruments.
• @ 43:10 another polka by "Družina Ferme" - talking about the tough times dad has when his daughter is growing into a young woman.
• @ 46:55 polka by young diatonic accordion player Domen Hohler. He first started playing button accordion three years and a half ago.
• @ 50:07 polka performed by "Ansambel Križman" (Križman Ensemble). The band leader (accordion player) is Slovenian, born in Australia. He recently returned to Slovenia and started his own band. To cope with the cold, he goes to the sauna every day - and wears gloves... :) He also writes all the music - and lyrics are put together by band's guitarist, Valentin Antonio.
• @ 55:43 polka "Moj napev" (My Tune) by "Ansambel Križman"

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Piano accordion master

Here's another masterpiece by Štajerskih sedem (Štajerskih 7) and especially their piano accordion player: Slalom za harmoniko (Accordion Slalom) - in case you enjoyed yesterday's post and you have some time to spend on your computer these days.





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Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a beautiful Thanksgiving Day, no matter where you are and who you're celebrating with - with some quotes and uplifting music videos.

French Proverb:
Gratitude is the heart's memory.

For today's occasion I chose an older group that has been around for decades: Štajerskih sedem. Below is their polka about the happy dancing.

They have always been very popular, their music and performance of high quality and singer Rudi Šantl's voice very distinctive.

He toured Canada and U.S. a few months ago as a vocal with Slovenian group Tramontana. Rudi since received more invitations from this side of Atlantic to come back and sing for Slovenian Clubs again. In an interview (after his return to Slovenia) he stated that he'd be more than happy to do so.

Jackie Windspear:
Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live.

And a waltz by the same polka band, Štajerskih sedem and Rudi Šantl singing. The lyrics are about one's broken heart - but don't let that bother you. They end with the following verse: "At the end you have to admit, it was beautiful..." (Na koncu si le priznaš, bilo je lepo...)

Both of today's videos are from their live performances in 1995. Rudi is not a member of Štajerskih sedem any more. He is now singing with many different ensembles.

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Happy polka video

I found this video of Slovenian group named Pop'n'dekl - which means carton - in Germanic-Slovenian slang. I won't go into the details of lyrics - so I don't get accused of something ;) - in short, this tune sings about Franček (Frank) who liked his flute and girls, of course.

These guys from Pop'n'dekl group say about themselves that rumors about them being half way nuts is a complete misinformation because they are nuts - all the way... :)

Enjoy!





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Polka music future continued

Response to Polka music future post - by Walt Harfmann

Daria,

This past summer we went to Slovenia, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic, as you know.

We were stunned, in Austria, Slovenia, and also southern Germany, at how many young people are very interested in Folk music, or as in Austria & Germany, Volksmusik.

From our last visit in 2001, to this trip, 2009, We would have to say that there is at least a ten-fold increase in the interest of Buttonbox music, Folk music, and Polka music in general, however, true European style.

There are even studios, that teach buttonbox accordion that are new on the map since 2001. One we visited, teaches 400 students a week, in Austria, and they have 8 more studios around Europe.

The crowds at the festivals proved to us that this isn't going away in Europe, but increasing by big numbers.

It is very refreshing to see young people in parts of this world who are deeply interested in their heritage and customs.

Not everyone in this world is only interested in Rap, or being what you are not!

To us, this was re-assuring to know that our heritage, music, and customs, will survive in part of the world. If only some of our young people in America would take an interest, instead of poking fun at their heritage.

We realize, that at this time in our culture(America), their have been many mixed backgrounds to form the current generation, but there are also many close to one, two, or three heritage background people of the current generation, who also don't know about, or even care about, their heritage.

With this attitude, America will become an even more "Lost" bunch of people. Probably why we have so many problems here at home.

Walt Harfmann
Vice-President
S.N.P.J. 778
Spring Hill, Florida

Polka music future

Lately, there's been a lot of discussion (at the meetings as well as certain newspapers) - about Slovenian Style (Cleveland Style) Polka music losing it's followers and popularity in United States.

For some reason this kind of statements don't resonate with me so I did some research.

See for yourself (below) what kind of polka music and performers I discovered.

Video below: Marko Mikiš (button box) and Nick Pehan (vocal) performing for the TV show "Polka in majolka" in Jarenina, Slovenia



Video below: The youngest Turbo Folk Group from Zg. Velka in Slovenia, Turbo Veseljaki: Sara, Teja, Jernej and Marko
performing live on "Polka in majolka" show.

Glasba - music by: Marko Mikiš
Besedilo - lyrics by: Mitja Grmovšek



And the conclusion?

I am quite confident to say that for as long as polka music is performed with such enthusiasm and virtuosity by the youngest generations in the crib of the Cleveland Style Polka - in Slovenia, polka tunes and dancing will live and thrive.

It's all in spreading the word and promoting the happiest music known to man.

You too can help - by telling your friends and family about this post. Thank you!! :)

Related posts:

• Polka music future continued
  

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Denis Novato live in Slovenia

Our Friday and Saturday guest performer - Denis Novato in the video below playing with another very popular Slovenian band "Štajerskih 7" - at their 20th Anniversary concert (koncert ob 20-letnici ansambla Štajerskih 7).





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Virtuoso on button box

The absolute World Champion in playing on diatonic accordion, Denis Novato from Slovenia will be performing at SNPJ Lodge 778 Hall in a little more than a week. Find out more about him, his music and his performances at Who is DENIS NOVATO? webpage.

 

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With guitar around the Old Ljubljana downtown

If you have ever visited Slovenia and its capital, Ljubljana, you will probably recognize some of the well known spots in the video below - like "Zmajski most" (Dragon Bridge), "Tromostovje" (Triple bridge), "Robov vodnjak" (Robba Fountain) and others - accompanied by a beautiful music of one of the most popular Slovenian musical groups, "Čuki" (Owls).

I had a hard time to translate the title of the tune for some reason but word-for-word translation would be: With Guitar Around the Old Ljubljana Downtown.

The video not only shows Ljubljana's most popular tourist destination, Ljubljana Castle, but also how people were dressed there - (I'm guessing) about a hundred years ago or so - and one of the dances they were dancing.

Enjoy! :)

Video: Čuki - S kitaro po stari Ljubljani

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Slovenian folk music band and my big surprise discovery

I have something different for you today.

On YouTube I'm subscribed to polkasdu07 who brings many beautiful Slovenian folk melodies to my attention. Thank you polkasdu07!! :)

The video I chose to share with you today - by a group whose members mostly came from the part of Slovenia where I was born, Koroška (Karniola) - has a beautiful melody and the lyrics carry nostalgic memories of the two sweethearts, walking together for the last time in the woods - in fall, when the leaves were falling - just before their quiet paths vanished under the blanket of snow.

The name of the group "Fantje treh dolin" could be translated as "Three Valleys' Boys." They have not been together for many years but I remember them well from my teenage years. They were my favorite folk music group at the time and me and my friends (all members of the performing folklore group "Pastirci") would go to every dance where "Fantje treh dolin" were playing.

Fantje treh dolin - Ko je listje padalo (When the Leaves were Falling)

I've been searching quite some time to find one perfect photo to go with this beautiful waltz. And I finally found it - the kind of path in Slovenian woods that the tune in this video pictures in my eyes. Enjoy! :)

Photo Pathways courtesy of poldezgaga

Funny thing - only a couple of minutes after I completed writing this post, I found another video where some my friends (the very same ones I mentioned in the fourth paragraph) from the folklore group "Pastirci" were dancing to polka, performed by the local, quite popular band Štirje kovači (Four Blacksmiths) in Gostilna Bučinek.

Since I remember them all well , by their names and last names. I'm listing them here: Anton Rogina & Erika Verčkovnik, Matjaž Kontrec & Marida Strmčnik, Roman Hojnik & Cvetka Krenker, Jani Korošec & my oldest best friend - Erika Smolnikar, married Erika Piko. Sending you greetings, Erika - to your home in that small and beautiful tourist village, called Šentanel,  Koroška. Have a wonderful weekend!! :)

Our teacher/dance instructor was Anica Meh, whose life-time devotion was to collect as many traditional songs and dances from that part of Slovenia - as possible. Her name became a synonim for "folklora Podgorje."






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Alpski Kvintet - Bel Božič - White Christmas (1989)

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