Upcoming Shows

August

Saturday 8/1 - Quenchers Saloon, 9 pm
2401 N. Western, at Fullerton, phone: 773 276-9730, $5

The Who had Tommy, The Kinks had Arthur, and now The Polkaholics have WALLY! That’s right, we have gone operatic with the release of our new CD - the polka-rock opera "WALLY!" - 12 songs based on the life and times of polka king Li’l Wally. To celebrate, we’re having our CD release party at Quenchers on Li’l Wally’s birthday (he would have been 79 on this date). Opening the party will be cabaret polkateers from Brooklyn, Polkafinger, who feature midwest punk rock legend Richard LaValliere, singer and bassist with the legendary Oil Tasters.

Li’l Wally revolutionized polka in the 1950s by slowing it down to a danceable tempo, which became known as the "Chicago Style." He is considered the Muddy Waters or Charlie Parker of polka. Though he retired to Florida in later years, we brought him back to Chicago for several memorable shows together before he died in 2006. Now, 10 years after the first polka collusion, we’ll play our polka-rock opera in its entirety, telling the story of Li’l Wally’s rise to Chicago polka glory and Florida sunset with songs like "Son of a Gun Polka," "Division Street," "Sea and Sand Polka," "King of Happiness," and more. From a boy singing with polka bands at Caldwell Woods to being featured on the Lawrence Welk show and playing for the Pope at the Vatican, Li’l Wally was the Horatio Alger of polka – and we celebrate and honor the Li’l great one with our new CD!

Saturday 8/22 – Glenwood Avenue Arts Fest, 4 pm, FREE
along Glenwood Ave at Morse Ave in Rogers Park on Chicago's north side

We’re back at this super outdoor summer fest in beautiful Rogers Park. We’ll be playing between two great bands: Skapone and M.O.T.O – this is one great line-up! Simply, put, this is a fest you just can’t resist!!

polka, Polka, POLKA - polyester comes ALIVE!!
For fabulous Polka Fashions at reasonable prices, check out the "Lookin' Good" selections at PolkaScene!

For further information or comments, please e-mail: polkaholics@gmail.com

or mail: PO Box 803664, Chicago Illinois 60680-3664

or phone: 773 544-7828

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