Bessemer Accordion Festival 2010

My online friend Larry Zaletel was kind enough to send me this photo, taken at Bessemer Accordion Festival in Pennsylvania this past weekend. It's always good to see what our members and guests are doing all summer long.

Photo above: Linda Hochevar, Frank Moravcik and The Happy Timers at Bessemer Accordion Festival 2010

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Polka Film

Image via Wikipedia

National Slovenian TV made a great documentary  movie in two parts - about things that are very familiar to most of us. It's title is: "Polka film: O glasbi, klobasah in Slovencih v Ameriki" (Polka Film: About Music, Klobase and Slovenians in America."

Part 1 is mostly in Slovenian but there are some popular polka musicians and other well known people of Slovenian heritage interviewed in it like Bob Kravos, Walter Ostanek, Tony Petkovsek, Jan Paulich Jones, Robert Dolgan, Richie Vadnal, Tom Klein, Joey Tomsick, Cecilia Dolgan, Joey Miskulin, Frank Yankovic Jr. and and others.

Joe Valencic is a guide around downtown Cleveland, Ohio, where used to be a real Slovenian neighborhood and some Slovenians living there never learned English because they simply didn't need it.

Part 2 is mostly in English and both parts have lots of polkas and waltzes. For some 40 + minutes of fun and memories about Frankie Yankovic and more, click on the links below, they open a new window.


Polka Film - Part 1



Polka Film - Part 2

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Slovenia's Got Talent

You might be interested to watch the video below. 15 year old Slovenian girl Tina Drole from Cerkno became a finalist of "Slovenija ima talent" (Slovenia's Got Talent). She sure is and excellent jodeler... :)

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Season 2010/2011 temporary schedule

Some of the dances for the upcoming season 2010/2011 are scheduled. You can see the dates at:

SNPJ Lodge 778 in Spring Hill, Florida - Schedule of Events

(click on the link above, it opens a new window)

More events will be added as soon as all the arrangements are made.

Photo above: Nezka and Jim

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Timeless Slovenian Waltz

"Jadraj z menoj" (Sail with me) is one of the most famous Avsenik's waltzes of all times and has been around for many years.

Still, this is also one of those evergreen, timelessly young and fresh melodies that are always new-like - when performed by another talented ensemble.

I instantly fell in love with one of the latest versions of  "Jadraj z menoj" (Sail with me), performed for the first time at 2010 "16. festival SLOVENSKA POLKA IN VALČEK" (16th Festival Slovenian Polka and Waltz) by "Zlati muzikanti" (Golden Musicians) and popular vocalist Irena Verčkovnik. Hope you like it, too...

Here it is, some summer romance in a form of Slovenian waltz and video of sailing on Adriatic Sea, especially for you. :)

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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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