Willkommen Y’All! TOMBALL CELEBRATES 10TH CHRISTMAS MARKET

By Theresa Cernoch Parker
Featured in the November 2017 issue of Texas Polka News

Twice a year, the Tomball Sister City Organization celebrates the town’s German heritage with a Texas-size festival – German Heritage Festival at the end of March and German Christmas Market
at the beginning of December. The organization has found the right formula for a successful festival – authentic German and Texas entertainment, food, and beer; vendors with unique offerings; carnival and kids’ activities, plus free admission and no hassle-parking with free shuttle service.

All of these aspects are listed in reviews on the Tomball German Festivals Facebook page, which has 30,000 followers. But so is this – the friendliness of the volunteers, vendors, and entertainers. It comes across that they are having just as much fun as they want you to have. “Loved it! Food is amazing, the staff down to shuttle drivers, all amazing!” said one post. “It's worth all the festivities, music, food, drink and many merchants that sell there! It's a reflection of the city of Tomball and the quality of life there!” said another.

“It has never been about making money,” said Grady Martin, President of the Sister City Organization. “Our goal has always been to celebrate our German and Texas heritage, while promoting our little corner of the world – Tomball, Texas.”

The Tomball German Christmas Market has been listed as one of the best Christmas markets in Texas and the U.S. by travelmag.com, texasbucketlist.com, and the U.S. German Embassy. Grady
also recently did an interview with People magazine, so watch for that story.

You’ll soon have the chance to experience all this warm Gemütlichkeit German-Texan hospitality at the 10th Annual German Christmas Market on Dec. 8-10.

SQUEEZEBOX WILL HEADLINE
To celebrate the event’s 10th anniversary, the Sister City Organization is proud to announce the Squeezebox Band from Ohio will headline all three days. The band features America’s Polka Sweetheart Mollie B, Accordionist and Music Producer Ted Lange, and Drummer Dana Lindblad.

Mollie B loves Texas! “Any chance I get to perform in Texas, I am a happy girl,” Mollie said. “Not to mention, I love Christmas. I also enjoy playing in new locations, and I have never been to
Tomball. Folks have gotten to know (and love) Dana for he has done three Texas winter tours with us, and was part of the Mollie B Polka Party team at the 2016 taping in Texas,” Mollie said. “And Ted, well, I think everyone knows him and his incredible skills on accordion. He also enjoys playing for the good folks in Texas. We’re looking forward to adding another Texas experience to our list.”

Fans will have a chance to meet and greet the band each day with exact times yet to be determined. Of course, music can be heard throughout the festival all weekend long on four music stages, featuring Chris Rybak on his own party stage, Auf Geht’s, Eurofest, Das Ist Lustig,
TubaMeisters, Mike Stroup Trio, Tyrolean Folk Brass Band, and the Armstrong Family Bluegrass Band. You also can’t help but get into the festive spirit with the sounds of strolling carolers
and accordionists.

Enjoy folk dancing by the Rathkamp German Folk Dancers, Keine Kunst German Folk Dance Troupe, high school German clubs, and local clogging groups. Sinterklaas (the original Dutch Santa) and Kristkind (German folklore “angel” who delivers presents to children) will be strolling the marketplace, along with Ghillie the Elf, dancing Christmas tree, and Santa Claus himself. These characters welcome free photo requests, so bring your camera.

An estimated 200 unique and interesting street vendors will line Market and S. Walnut Streets, selling German Christmas items, arts and crafts, and much more. Visit the Weihnachtshaus
inside the Community Center at 221 Market Street at the corner of Cherry Street, which will be filled with German clothes, Christmas decorations, and souvenirs for sale. Accordionists Kenny
James, Rebecca Huck, and Joe Brikha will keep you in the Christmas mood.

Three German tents with music stages will house biergartens decorated with German themes and Christmas lights. Tables and chairs will allow you to relax with your dunkles bier (dark beer),
or a warm cup of glühwein (mulled wine).

Kinderfest (kid’s area) will provide entertainment and fun for the young visitors. It includes carnival rides, bungee jump, rock wall, petting zoo, pony ride, walk on water, and more.
Food vendors will include traditional German food and drink, glühwein, beer, Christmas stolen (fruit bread) and other homemade breads, kaffee und kuchen (coffee and pastry), bratwurst,
red cabbage, schnitzel, and apple strudel (one Facebook post declared the strudel “godly”). The menu also features festival foods like funnel cake, corn dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, kettle corn, and barbecue.

EUROPEAN TEXAS VIBE
In Europe, the Christmas markets are open for the month-long holiday season. “They are the place to go after work, during lunch, or to gather with friends to celebrate Christmas before the big holiday,” explained Valina, who has been on the Tomball festival scene almost since the beginning, performing in her parents’ Dutch dance troupe when the first spring festival was held 18 years ago.

She has gone on to become an emcee and entertainment director for the festival, and performs with her husband, Ross, as Das Ist Lustig. Oh, and she’s also the dancing Christmas tree.
“I like how the Tomball German Christmas Market has become a place where families and friends can gather together and celebrate the Christmas season, just like they do in Germany! You get some shopping done, you dance to the music; you taste the glühwein. Sometimes you see people exchanging gifts with each other,” she said.

The streets of old downtown Tomball are transformed into a winter wonderland (sometimes with actual cool weather). Even when it rains, the crowds gather. Another Facebook review: “This was the third or fourth time I've gone and I had a wonderful time! Great food, shopping and music. I went on Sunday and luckily brought my umbrella; the rain was only off and on and not constant. People didn't leave, instead they were content to stay and have a good time. That, to me, is
the sign of a good festival! Thank you, Tomball German Festival for another good time! Prost!”

The vendors offer unique locally made crafts and gifts to buy, as well as traditional German Christmas hand-carved decorations. The Texas Slavic & German Warehouse, along with its sister
company, Oktoberfest Depot, has been a vendor for the past seven years. Tessy Crawford and Billie Stripling welcome you to the TSG tent, which now has a permanent placement under the big oak trees across from the community center and within earshot of the Chris Rybak Party Stage.

“I personally love all of the PEOPLE! Everyone is there to have fun and SHOP!” Tessy said. “I love the festive Christmas atmosphere and the cooler weather,” Billie added.

Last year was Dream Dachshund Rescue’s sixth time to be a part of the event. “We have so much fun meeting everyone and showing off our beautiful German Dachshunds looking for homes,”
said Diana Turner.

To add to the festive atmosphere, the Sister City Organization offers prizes to vendors for Best Decorated Booths. Last year, Wicked Whatnots of Texas out of Round Rock took first place and the $300 prize for its décor, complete with co-owner Austin O’Burke as The Grinch.

MUSIK FILLS THE AIR
Local children's choirs and church groups entertain with Christmas music. Some of the bands play traditional Christmas music of Germany and Austria, while others cover the seasonal party songs.

“With the food, arts, crafts, and music, it's a great mix of German tradition and Texas fun,” Valina said. Entertainers like Chris and Edita Rybak bring the Texas fun. Grady laughed remembering Chris’ first appearance at the festival. “We didn’t have much room back then, so Chris had
to share a stage with an Andean flute player. He never complained and, he and Edita, along with Valina and Ross, have become part of our festival family,” Grady said.

Chris has developed quite a following at the festivals. "We used to always party until security came to shut it down,” Chris said. “And then we would do one more song of God Bless America and of course made it into a never-ending polka medley. The crowd always went wild and we were the last stage going. So Grady thought it was appropriate to name our stage the Chris Rybak Party Stage!"

"We play at many, many festivals through the year, but no one treats you better than Tomball,” said Edita. “Whether you are a musician, vendor, or just a German patron for the day who just happens to be wearing the new lederhosen or dirndl that you bought at the Kuckuck's Nest five minutes before, Tomball always treats everyone as a friend and part of the family. It doesn't get much better than this!"

Accordionist Gene Hackemack has been a strolling entertainer at the Christmas Market since 2011. “I love my ‘job’ of strolling through the Christmas Market for several reasons – meeting such
a variety of happy people at this joyous time of the year is one,” Gene sad. “Also, it’s fun to see the little kiddos break into impromptu dances in the street; needless to say the Chicken Dance tops the list for them. And LAST-but-not-LEAST, there are the dozens and dozens of college girls
trying to squeeze in tight for a group photo with me and my squeezebox!”

Accordionist Kenny James is not affected by the weather as he performs in the Weihnachtshaus located inside the community center. “Tomball’s country setting and relaxed atmosphere make this one of my favorite festivals to attend. The revelers are appreciative and fun to play for,” said Kenny, whose relationship with the spring and winter festivals goes back more than 13 years.

Grady said the Sister City Organization is always looking for ways to enhance the German-Texan experience at the festivals. That was the thinking behind bringing in nationally known, Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner to the spring event each year, which polkabeat.com is proud to sponsor.

“We’ve come a long way since that first year of the spring festival held on one flatbed trailer with Alpenfest playing and no beer served,” said Grady noting the conservative Tomball philosophy
at the time. With the leadership of Tomall Mayor Gretchen Fagan, the city has embraced what the Sister City Organization works to accomplish.

“We want the festivals to make Tomball a destination,” Grady said. “The events fill up the hotels and people enjoy our antique shopping and world-class restaurants.” Now, thousands attend both festivals, and between 200 and 300 kegs of beer are tapped at the Christmas market alone.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld says there’s no such thing as fun for the whole family, but he hasn’t been to the Tomball German festivals. “We have a 3 year old and a 20 year old and the festival had something for us all,” said a Facebook review. “We had a great time and the weather was
perfect for hot chocolate! Taking pictures with the Celtic and traditional Santa was fun. But my favorite part was the many, many vendors especially the ones with the food! Everyone was super friendly. We're defiantly making it a family tradition to go every year!”

And as Grady is fond of saying, you don’t have to be German to attend!

WHO IS THIS SISTER CITY?
The Tomball Sister City Organization is a nonprofit corporation formed for the purpose of the establishment, sponsorship, promotion and support of cultural, business, educational, diplomatic, and other exchanges with Tomball’s sister city – Telgte, Germany.

Formally established in 2000, the sister-city relationship between Tomball and Telgte goes back to 1996, when Christian C. Tiews and his Telgte-born wife, Lula, moved to the Tomball area and
noticed the many similarities between Tomball and Lula’s hometown.

Telgte (pronounced Tell-gee, as in “Telge Road”), is a quaint German town, pop. 18,700, situated in the park-like landscape of North Rhine-Westphalia, 10 miles east of Münster, in northwest
Germany. It was founded in 1238 and is well known for its beautiful medieval architecture. Telgte is situated in the middle of Germany's “horse country,” and Tomball reportedly has the highest horse population per (human) capita in the United States.

Over the years, hundreds of citizens in both cities have visited each other. “Every two years, a group from Tomball visits Telgte,” Grady said. “When you visit there, you are on the front page of the newspaper, and they identify you as being from Tomball – not the United States, not Texas, but Tomball.”

The cities also sponsor a student exchange program. Fifty-six German students have stayed with host families in Tomball so far, and eight Texas students have taken advantage of the program. The German students attend one of two of the high schools in Tomball for one school year. Three male students are here now and are enjoying playing football.

After Hurricane Harvey, the City of Telgte sent a letter to Mayor Fagan. “Stunned and with much dismay we follow here in Telgte the tragedy which has been triggered by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and especially our sister city Tomball. The pictures we have seen of the damage are appalling, and the reality must be even more so….Our thoughts are with you.” The letter was accompanied by a check for $9,000 (American), which was used to support the Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries and TOMAGWA Healthcare Ministries, as well as certain
Tomball first responders and senior citizens whose homes were damaged.

It’s Oktoberfest Man!

By Theresa Parker

For most of the year, Alex Meixner and his merry band travel the nation bringing polka to the masses. But once fall approaches, he kicks it up a notch. Able to leap across the stage whipping
fans into a polka frenzy. It’s an accordion! It’s a trumpet! It’s Oktoberfest Man!

Alex will once again be at Wurstfest (Nov4-13), ending a seven-week Oktoberfest tour with stops in Ohio, Oklahoma, El Paso, Wisconsin, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The merry band features Hank Guzevich, trumpet; Joe Tierney, sax; and Ed Klancnik, drums. They’ll be joined at Wurstfest by California accordionist Mike Kramer, and bass player Shawn Hart, originally from Wisconsin, now living in New Braunfels. “Shawn was deported from Wisconsin for being lactose intolerant, and now he’s living out every musician’s dream of playing in a polka band,” Alex said.

Alex said he loves Texas fans. “When I play in Texas, you have those audience members who have grown up with this music, and those hearing it for maybe the first time. I love to build the bridge between both of those populations. Brave Combo blazed the trail for that in Texas,” he said.

QUITE A YEAR
Since last we saw Oktoberfest Man at Wurstfest 2015, Alex has been on some awesome adventures. He signed on as the one-man pep band for Hormel pepperoni, filming TV and Internet commercials in LA.

“It’s part of our festival shtick. We throw pepperoni into the audience. It has been a great association with the company. Hormel is 125 years old this year. It’s a great American company
based in Austin, Minnesota. Did you know they have only had 4 CEOs in their entire history?”

Alex jetted to New York in July to spend two days recording with Jack Black for the movie soundtrack of The Polka King. It’s the story of Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan, who developed a plan to get rich that shocked his fans and landed him in jail. Now out of jail and working with Jack on the movie, Jan called Alex and asked if he would bring his accordion to the recording session.

“Jan is a very generous man,” Alex said. “He has been extremely straightforward with me about
business. He made some mistakes in the past, spent some time in prison. He has atoned for those mistakes.”

Alex said working with Jack was a hoot. “Jack does all the vocal parts and he’s a tremendous musician and singer. You would think he’s a native Polish speaker. It’s awesome working with people like that who are extremely talented and authentically themselves.” The film is expected to be released in February 2017.

And that brings us to the backyard of Wurstfest at Faust Hotel and Brewery. Alex worked with Brewmaster Ray Middledorf for about nine months, tasting and perfecting a brew that has
been born and named the Alex Meixner Polka Pilsner.

“It’s a European-style pilsner with like 4.8 alcohol, so it’s something you can drink a few of, which makes it a great Oktoberfest beer. It’s not the kind of place you want to have one heavy
beer. You want to have a few, dance, have a good time, and still have control of your faculties. You can indulge and not die thirsty,” Alex explained.

The perfect place to enjoy the new brew, other than Wurstfest, is while staying in the Alex Meixner Suite at the Faust Hotel. “It’s pretty cool. They have my first button accordion and some other memorabilia in the room,” he said, with the disclaimer, “I’m not liable for child support if any children are produced in that room!”

Right after Wurstfest, Alex and his merry band will join the Jodie Mikula Orchestra and Dujka Brothers on a cruise. “We have over 150 cabins booked. There will be lots of great fellowship and jam sessions,” he said.

Stay tuned for what 2017 has in store for Oktoberfest Man!

Pearl's Summer Dance Hall Series Lineup Announced

Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to twirl your partner around the floor! Pearl Stable, in partnership with San Antonio jazz legend Doc Watkins, is proud to present live regional music every Wednesday night July 6 through August 24. Doc Watkins & His Orchestra kicked off the series on the 6th. See more photos by Gary E. McKee. The rest of the summer schedule:
July
13 George Chambers & The Country Gentlemen
20 Johnny P & The Wiseguys
27 Jose Amador & Natiao Salsa
August
03 Santiago Jimenez
10 FingerPistol
17 New Pearl Wranglers - Tribute to Adolph Hofner in honor of his 100th birthday this year. Special appearance by Adolph's daughter, Kathy Fielding. Co-sponsored by Texas Polka News.
24 Mark Halata & Texavia

LIFE AT THE PEARL
When the San Antonio Brewery closed in 2001, the brewery grounds were repurposed using the majestic brew building as a focal point, into the “community” of Pearl.      

Boasting 324 apartments, 15 restaurants, 13 retailers, and 18 resident businesses, as well as a twice-weekly Farmers Market, Pearl has formed an exciting neighborhood on the upper San Antonio River just north of downtown known as Museum Reach. The newest addition is Hotel Emma, which opened last fall in the Brewhouse.

Encore Time: Schroeder Hall Reopens!

By Gary E. McKee

Schroeder Hall, the legendary South Central Texas dance hall, built in the late 1800s, has reopened its doors after a brief respite and will be featuring Chris Rybak, on Saturday, July 16. Schroeder, still owned by Doug Guller, Austin-based restaurant and dancehall owner, has a new manager, Corrine Abbott. Corrine is a native of El Campo, and has a degree in food and beverage management from the University of Houston. She has brought her Wharton County roots to Schroeder and is presently booking polka bands to perform on a regular basis. In between polkas, the hall will be appealing to different genres of Texas music - contemporary country, Red-Dirt Country, indie rock and nationally recognized touring acts.

          On November 19th, all cattle trails and roads will lead to the hall as Schroederfest will commence a day-long celebration of BBQ cookoffs, adult beverages (full bar), vendors, singing in the courtyard with Jon Stork, and culminating with The Charlie Daniels Band that evening.

          As the cooler months come around, Marty Haggard and Kevin Fowler will perform on the same stage that has seen a variety of legends. Bob Wills, Adolph Hofner, George and Tammy, Jimmy Heap, Roy Clark, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Larry Joe Taylor, and Robert Earl Keen top the long list of music heroes.

          Chris, the Accordion Cowboy, is a natural fit for this venue as it resides in the early Spanish ranching grants that date back to the late 1700s. Cattle were driven from this area to Louisiana to feed the Spanish forces fighting the British during the American Revolution.

          As the cattle industry evolved and German/Czech immigrants migrated south, many of them found work on the Tex/Mex ranches and brought their music with them. They began jamming with their Mexican co-workers (Nortiño music) and the blending of the two musical cultures produced a unique sound (Tejano). The accordion-driven Tejano music was absorbed by Tex/Mex/Czech musicians such as Santiago Jimenez, Johnny Rodriguez, and Adolph Hofner.

          Chris' influences have been a combination of Myron Floren and the Jimenez brothers – Flaco and Santiago – with a strong Hank Williams flavor.

          This Slavic/Hispanic sound will be channeled by Chris in this old hall (now air-conditioned) that has its roots in a community that was once named Germantown. During World War I, the name was changed to a little less Teutonic-sounding name, Schroeder, which was in honor of a resident killed fighting the Germans in Europe.

          Visit schroederhall.com for the soon-to-be weekly dance and event schedule at one of the last vestiges of Texas rambling dancehalls. Also appearing in July are Jake Worthington on the 9th; George Navarro on the 23rd; and Jarrod Birmingham on the 30th.

          Schroeder Hall is roughly between Goliad and Victoria and has a self-contained RV park across the road for those travelers who wish to stay the night and explore this history-filled area of Texas.

La Bahia Turn Verein to Host Fiddle Fest

By Gary E. McKee
From November 2015 issue of Texas Polka News

If you were to drive by the beautiful, wooden dancehall between Carmine and Burton on the old La Grange-Burton highway (SH 237) on any Wednesday evening you would see a dozen or more cars parked under the massive live oaks. If curiosity compelled you to stop and stick your head in the door, you would see several tables with groups of four people playing cards. The card game would be called Pitch, a trick-taking game that dates back to the 1800s.

This is not just a group of people who like to play cards. They are members of the La Bahia Turn Verein (pronounced TOORN-fair-ine), carrying on a 136-year-old tradition of promoting community social life. Founded on July 5, 1879, LBTV presently has 40 members, and is a branch of a national and state Turn Verein.

What Is a Turn Verein?
The failed 1848 Revolution in the over 40 dukedoms that made up Germany compelled many of the dissenters (Germans, Slavics, Hungarians) to evacuate Europe and seek asylum in the United States. One of the causes of the revolution was the belief that people that spoke the same language should be of one country, not the numerous separate kingdoms that constituted Germany. The model for this was the French Revolution that united all French speakers under a democratic government.

The German refugees brought to Texas many of their traditions, particularly the Vereins (a voluntary club of like-minded people.) The three main Vereins focused on music, target shooting, and physical fitness. These types of activities needed a home, which led to the building of physical structures such as the LBTV hall and many other similar social centers.

The gymnastic clubs (Turn Vereins), founded in Berlin in 1811, were the most blatantly political. Founder Freidrich Jahn adapted the word Turnen signifying the medieval order of knights and its intensely physical tournaments. The first Turn Verein had 200 members who performed gymnastics to increase their physical and mental strength, communal spirit, and character. They also undertook long marches by torchlight, practiced fencing, and crossbow shooting with military precision. By 1848, there were over 300 Turn Vereins with 90,000 members.

Texas Turn Vereins
In Texas, one of the earliest destinations of German immigrants was the fertile lands between the Brazos and Colorado Rivers and a hundred miles inland, roughly a triangle between present day Brenham, La Grange, and Sealy.

The La Bahia TurnVerein was founded with the purpose of “the physical and spiritual development of the members and the promotion of social life.” (FYI: the community’s name comes from the La Bahia Trail, which was previously the El Camino Real de los Tejas. There was a La Bahia German School about 4 miles away. The Brenham organization wasnamed the Alamo Turn Verein, and others had community names, such as Mill Creek and Round Top.)  

Amazingly, the bylaws and minutes of all the LBTV meetings since 1879 have been preserved. Originally, all transactions were written in “High German.” In 1943, the correspondence and minutes began being recorded in a German/English dialect, and in 1954, all the minutes were translated and recorded in English, signifying the decline of the population of German readers.

To join the LBTV, one had to be an 18-year-old male and have an unblemished reputation. A training period could be begun at the age of 15, if your father was a member. Then a two-thirds vote was necessary to be accepted. While physical exercise was a focal point, the hard-working farmers were generally too tired to go exercise and over the years all that was required was to do 12 chin-ups on the gymnastic bar to be a member. These bars are still in the hall.

Building and Rebuilding
Five years after organizing, the LBVT built a hall as a focal point for functions. Three years later, the hall burned, but within a month quarrymen were at work breaking rocks for the foundation on the new hall. The LBVT prospered, and on its 5th anniversary celebration they invited the Brenham fire department and a number of their “gallant fire ladies” who attended in full uniform.

Disaster struck again in 1901 as a suspicious fire destroyed the hall including, “music, library, fixtures, and furniture.”  The hall had been insured for $850 by Hanover Insurance of Hanover, Germany. That same day the verein met, voted to post a $100 reward for the arsonists, and to begin building a new hall. (Not sure if the arsonist was caught. Subsequent issues of the paper are missing.)

The 1902 hall was larger as attendance and membership had increased dramatically. In 1910, the LBTV celebrated another anniversary with a program that offered “all kinds of clean and healthful amusements” followed by a baseball game and then a grand ball.

Pentecost Day was observed in 1923 during which a Fayetteville Band provided music. Over the years, the hall was enlarged, out buildings constructed, heating, plumbing, and electricity installed until it reached its present state of simplistic grandeur.  

One of the cool upgrades was a bank of metal fans in the shape of airplanes that was installed in the early 1930s when the hall was electrified.

The Turn Verein has done an excellent job keeping this 114-year-old hall in fine shape. Various members have been instrumental in managing and guiding the hall over the years. At present, Roy and Carol Schmidt are coordinating ongoing efforts by the Turn Verein to keep everything painted, the immense roof from leaking, and the indoor plumbing functioning among myriad other tasks.

The list of bands that played the hall seems endless and contains the usual list of suspects, including the Bacas, Lee Roy Matocha, Kreneks, Hi Toppers, Blume’s Orchestra, the Original Triumphs, contemporary country bands, and the upcoming Fiddle Fest.

Buzzard's Roost view
Billy Koerth has been a LBTV member for over 50 years. As a trainee, it was his job to sweep the floor during intermissions at the dances. He remembers that there was a set of bleachers on the edge of the dance floor that was referred to as the Buzzard Roost. Dancers paid 50 cents admission and those who watched from the Roost paid a dime. All present members of the Verein agree that the hall was packed every time there was a dance.

Due to the great condition and beauty of the hall, it has become a favorite wedding reception and music event venue. The hall is booked with an event every weekend through March.

Let's Fiddle On!
This month, on Saturday, the 7th, the hall will be the scene of the Second Annual Festival of Texas Fiddling presented by Texas Folklife and Texas Dance Hall Preservation. The event kicks off Friday evening at 7 pm, with a party at nearby Airway Pavilion in Round Top. The Pettit Brothers from High Hill will provide the music for dancing.     

Next day, workshops and showcases will provide a full spectrum of fiddling including Texas Old Time, Texas Polish, Creole, and Tejano/Mexican style. The evening will swing to a close with a dance by the national award-winning Western Swing trio Hot Club of Cowtown. See schedule and buy tickets.

Well, if you're still standing in the doorway on that Wednesday night at the LBTV hall, several heads will turn away from the card tables and welcome you in. Roy will point out where to help yourself to liquid refreshments and snacks, and ask if you would like to join in on a game of Pitch. I know it worked for me.

Joel Guzman: God, Family, Squeezebox Mania

By Theresa Cernoch Parker

What started out as a birthday bash for Joel Guzman in 2006 has become an annual tribute to accordion music – all types of accordion music. Squeezebox Mania IX will be held on Saturday, April 25, at Threadgill’s World Headquarters in Austin. Co-founders Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox have been bringing the good people of Austin the finest accordion players that have ever squeezed the box. The long list of past performers reads like a Who’s Who of squeezers – Augie Meyer, Santiago Jimenez Jr., Chris Rybak, Charles Thibodeaux, Ponty Bone, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Zhenya and the Flying Balalaika Brothers, Corey Ledet, Debra Peters, UT Conjunto, Johnny Degollado, Jaime Deanda y Los Chamacos, Grupo Aztlan, Radoslav Lorkovic, Michael Ramos and Conjunto King Mingo Saldivar.

This year is no exception. Grammy award-winning accordionist Sunny Sauceda & the Electric Cowboys, Los Aztex, Charles Thibodeaux & the Austin Cajun Aces, plus members of The Flying Balalaika Brothers. And as always, Joel will be anchoring the event.

Sarah Fox and Joel Guzman

Sunny Sauceda

Charles Thibodeaux & Austin Cajun Aces

Chris Ramirez

Hearne, TX

University of Texas Elementary School Students

Accordion Appreciation
It’s hard to picture Joel without an accordion in his hands. He has been playing since he was 4 years old. You probably would assume, like I did, that he honed his skills in South Texas or some other Southwestern state. Wrong. He got his inspiration from his accordion-loving dad in a little farm town in Washington State.

“My dad was a good musician and always played records of accordion music from all over – Poland, France, Panama, you name it. He would tell me, ‘They play the same instrument you play. You should appreciate the variety and embrace it,’” Joel recalled. And there is a Texas family connection as Joel’s dad is from San Juan and his mom is from Edinburg. They moved to Washington in 1948.

Joel Guzman has been called brilliant, extraordinary, a genius. He began dazzling audiences and fellow musicians with his unique accordion artistry as a child prodigy, causing established and respected accordion players to christen him, at an early age “El Pequeno Gigante” – “The Little Giant.” Today, he is not only a superbly accomplished instrumentalist, singer and performer, he is also a successful innovator, arranger and producer.

So does someone so accomplished still practice? “I practice in my mind a lot. I am constantly inspired by what I hear, see and feel,” he said.

Joel credits many artists as his influences. At the top of the list is Richard Galliano, a chromatic accordion player from France; master accordionist Angelo DiPippo, Rhode Island; Tony De La Rosa, an innovator that introduced electric amplification to a previously acoustic genre in the 1950s. De La Rosa, like Guzman, also played the diatonic accordion; and then there’s Esteban Jordan, another diatonic accordionist. Guzman compares Jordan to Jimi Hendrix in terms of sheer impact on conjunto. “He was a Hendrix-like genius when he played jazz, rock, blues, conjunto and Tejano music with his accordion,” Joel said.

A Trip to Temple
Joel didn’t make it down to Texas until 1979 when he was touring with Little Joe Y La Familia. A stop in Temple introduced him to Czech polka music when he met singer/songwriter Sarah Fox. “Sarah grew up in Temple. She said, all my friends are Czech. You need to come to a polka dance,” he recalled. He can’t remember which polka band was playing at the dance, but he decided right then and there that he wanted to move to Texas.

Okay, maybe Sarah and not the Czech music was the main reason he decided to move to Texas. They had a lot in common. Joel came from a family of musicians and has two brothers and six sisters. Sarah’s family, too, had a music tradition, and she has six brothers and two sisters. They also had a passion for experimenting with and pushing Latin-based music to another level.

The couple became in demand as session players, and they worked with or formed their own bands, playing rhythm and blues, salsa and conjunto music. Gradually, they developed their own sound, a fusion of rock, Tejano, Cajun and conjunto, R&B and jazz, and formed the group Los Aztex in 1999. Current members are: Zeke Galvan, Matt Slusher, Mark Epstein and Gabriel Guzman, son of Joel and Sarah, a fourth generation musician.

Los Aztex garnered three Grammy nominations in the Best Tejano Album category in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Joel has won two Grammys for his work on the album Polkas, Gritos y Acordeónes with Sunny Sauceda and David Lee Garza, first in 2004 in the American music category and in 2005 for best Latin album.

All Things Texas
Los Aztex has toured the country from the East Coast Lincoln Center-type venues to House of Blues stops in several cities, and has enjoyed bringing their unique Texas music to Europe in Italy, Spain and Scotland. “We are not a Latin group per se, we are a cross-genre group. We like to mix up a Cajun beat, a 2/4 beat with a blues sound and throw in all things Texas. We produce a mixture of all these bloods. We are traditional but always pushing forward,” Joel explained.

Joel and Sarah have also appeared in two movies – Crazy Heart in 2009, starring Jeff Bridges, and Angels Sing in 2013, a Christmas movie with Harry Connick Jr. The latter features original music written by Sarah.

Joel knows he is blessed being able to make a living playing the music he loves. “Surviving in the music business, I thank God every day. You have to prioritize – God, family, squeezebox mania,” he said.

Joel Guzman/Mark Hiebert photo

Joel is loyal to the Hohner brand of accordion, having played the company’s Anacleto boxes as well as a slew of customized Corona Classics, all his life. He also believes in encouraging the next generation. He teaches 20 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at the University of Texas Elementary School (UTES), a community engagement initiative with the goal of increasing the number of under-represented students in the college pipeline. The Hohner Accordion Company, for which Joel is an endorsee, provides the accordions. “We have a responsibility to continue our special Texas musical culture,” he said. Several of his students will perform at Squeezebox Mania, including standout Chris Ramirez from Hearne.

“This festival is our way of saying, ‘Come over to the house and let’s get together to play some meaningful music that we can share with our kids,” Joel said. The event starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For more information, go to squeezeboxmania.com.

Are You Ready for the Wurst?

By Theresa Parker

Alex Meixner is. The Grammy-nominated Tasmanian devil of the polka world will once again do the honors of opening Wurstfest on Friday, November 7. The Alex Meixner Band will perform at the fest through November 13 and will feature the usual suspects - Ed Klancnik on drums, Mikey Kramar on horns, strings, accordions and things, and Hank Guzevich on horns, guitar and Polexican shuffles, as well as Canadian National Accordion Champ Michael Bridge for the weekend gigs.

Alex Meixner and Michael Bridge at last year's Wurstfest. Gary E. McKee photo

Since Alex spends a great deal of his life on the road, it was cool to catch him at home waiting for the cable guy to chat about Wurstfest and other polka stuff.

Polkabeat: Anything new for Wurstfest?
Alex: Yes! [Please note: this will be the last exclamation point I’ll use. Everything Alex says has an exclamation point.] I will be doing an extra show at the festival on opening Saturday (November 8, 2:10 p.m.) at the new venue - Stelzenplatz - with my good friends, Max Baca and Los TexManiacs. This two-time Grammy Award-winning conjunto group will be performing repertoire which has roots in Germany and Austria before developing in Mexico and the southwest USA. I'll be playing a few songs with the band, as Max and I have been recording together for the last few years and always look forward to collaborating together. (While the Czech pronunciation of Baca is “Bacha,” the Mexican pronunciation is “Baka.”)

Polkabeat: Tell us more about Los TexManiacs.
Alex: Max Baca is the premier bajo sexto player on the planet. (Bajo sexto is a 12-string guitar-like instrument.) Max is featured on my Polka Freakout CD and he has recorded with Flaco Jimenenz, Los Lobos, Original Texas Tornados and even the Rolling Stones (Voodoo Lounge CD). The group also features Max’s nephew, Josh Baca, on accordion. I’ve known Josh since he was an eight-year-old punk and now he’s 20-something and is one of the best three-row button box accordion player I’ve ever heard. They are just a great family.

Polkabeat: You and Max are working on an album together, right?
Alex: Yes, actually for the past six years. We hit the recording studio when we can. The music gets back to the roots of conjunto music from when Germans, Austrians and Slovenians settled in Mexico. It honors the music legacy of our grandfathers and fathers, and brings it full circle like the performance we’ll be doing at Wurstfest.

Polkabeat: Your new CD is called Happiness Is a Choice. Why did you choose that name
Alex: Because I truly believe happiness is a choice and I think it sends a positive message.

Polkabeat: Who did you work with on the CD?
Alex: The title track is a collaboration with Reggae singer and composer Carlton Pride, son of Country legend Charley Pride. I also co-wrote a song with Michael Morris (drummer and vocalist from Seaton, TX) called “Let’s Go Ask the Band,” a fun polka with a country twang. Hector Saldana of The Krayolas and I co-wrote a pop song, “Sally,” and Michael Bridge is featured on the Latin-flavored “El Cumbanchero.” You can also hear accordion virtuoso Randy Koslosky (from Pittsburgh) on several tunes, including a great new German/Irish-styled drinking song “Why Die Thirsty?”

Polkabeat: Why die thirsty? Isn’t that your mantra?
Alex: Yes. Randy wrote that song. He always heard me say at performances, “If you drink, you’re going to die. If you don’t drink, you’re going to die. So, why die thirsty?” He sent it to me just as we hit the studio in San Antonio to record the CD. We quickly came up with an arrangement and now it’s one of the most requested songs on tour.

Polkabeat: What is the most requested song?
Alex: “Amazing Grace.” It’s performed on a hoseaphone and begins as a solemn performance and ends with screaming trumpets.

Polkbeat: The CD also has a family connection, right?
Alex: My daughters Zoey (age 7) and Kayla (age 4) are featured on “Pipihenderl,” a fun Austrian yodeling song. And Zoey also did the watercolor for the CD cover, which has led to production of a hat pin and t-shirt. I am very proud.

Polkabeat: Why die unhappy?
Alex: Exactly. So much of world is divided among politics, religion, cultural and ethnic differences, but when you adopt a positive attitude, you realize we have more similarities than we think. That’s what I like about polka. The music tends to bring people together. People smile and instead of slinging cheap shots at each other, they stop and say, “Hey man, let’s drink a beer together.”

(Hmmm, this could be the start of the Alex Meixner for President Campaign sponsored by the polkabeat party.)

Texas Folklife to Pay Tribute to Texas Accordion Pioneers

It has been 25 years since Texas Folklife began popularizing the accordion, the state’s “national instrument,” and Texas roots music in the now anticipated annual concert at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. All genres of accordion music will be included in this year’s festivities, with performances by Ginny Mac, Mark Halata & Texavia, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, and as part of the anniversary extravaganza, the second generation of conjunto pioneers – Rio Jordan, Flavio Longoria, and Juan Longoria Jr. with Conteño and Los Halcones. In addition, the newly crowned 2014 Big Squeeze Champs will be on hand to perform and celebrate. The new champs are: Garrett Neubauer, Grand Prize Winner for the polka category; Randall Jackson, Grand Prize Winner for zydeco; and Aaron Salinas, Grand Prize Winner for the conjunto category.

The star-studded affair will take place on Saturday, June 7, at 6:00 p.m., and will be co-emceed by writers and radio hosts Joe Nick Patoski and Tony Diaz. The festival is free and open to the music-loving public. Festivalgoers wanting seats in the pavilion area can pick up their free tickets the day of the festival at the Miller Box Office or become members of Texas Folklife and receive reserved tickets in advance. 

This year’s dynamite bands include Houston’s own Mark Halata & Texavia. Known for his musical style that has been called “Czexan,” or Texas-Czech polka, Halata has perfected the Texas-style polka with strains from communities with their roots in Europe—Moravia and Czechoslovakia—with some Louisiana Cajun and zydeco thrown in. On the stage on this very special night will also be C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band. With his Grammy-nominated 2011 album Can’t Sit Down, his musical heritage, and over twenty years of recording history, C.J. Chenier is loved by audiences and critics alike, and has been dubbed “the crown prince of zydeco,” by the Boston Globe. Chenier is of course the son of the late “King of Zydeco” Clifton Chenier, whom he accepted a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award for at this year’s Grammys. Western Swing Accordion Queen Ginny Mac will also grace the stage with her exceptional singing, squeezeboxing, and multitalented, soulful musical style.

The special anniversary program will pay tribute to second-generation conjunto and Tejano pioneers Rio Jordan, Flavio Longoria, and Juan Longoria Jr. with Conteño and Los Halcones. Esteban Jr., Esteban III, and Ricardo Jordan carry on their father’s legacy with his band Rio Jordan. Esteban Jordan (1939-2010) is widely regarded as a pioneer in conjunto music who greatly expanded the boundaries of the diatonic accordion. The three brothers draw on their rich conjunto heritage plus add influences from jazz, rhythm and blues, salsa, and zydeco, as they perform across the state and throughout the southwest. Flavio Longoria is the son of Valerio Longoria (1924-2000), National Heritage Award winner and major innovator of Texas conjunto along with Narciso Martinez and Santiago Jimenez Sr. Flavio played the saxophone while his brother Valerio Jr. played the drums in their father’s band during childhood. After his father’s death, Flavio picked up the accordion and has formed his own band Flavio Longoria y Los Conjunto Kingz. Juan Longoria Jr. of Brownsville, Texas Folklife’s first Big Squeeze Champ, is the son of Juan Longoria Sr., who along with his brothers performs in the band Los Halcones, a conjunto Norteño band that has played across South Texas and the border region for more than 30 years. Juan Jr. has carried on that tradition with his own band Conteño. In addition, Juan Jr. has now passed his accordion playing skills on to his son Juan Longoria III who last year made it to the semifinal stage of the Big Squeeze accordion contest. The Longoria family with its three-generation accordion stars is a testament to the strong family traditions that are alive in the state and Texas Folklife’s role in preserving and promoting those traditions.

Texas Folklife will also honor Mary Thomas, the “Texas Queen of Zydeco,” and sister to the late Clifton Chenier, with the Star of Texas Folklife Award for her many years of work helping to preserve and promote zydeco music, which is traditional to both Texas and Louisiana.    

“This is a banner year for Texas Folklife,” said Executive Director Cristina Ballí. “It is our 30th anniversary and it is the 25th anniversary of Accordion Kings & Queens. The annual concert was started with the idea of promoting the accordion and its role in the different genres of roots music found in the state. It has become a full-out celebration of that music, featuring musical legends and current stars, but it also has become the breeding ground for the next generation of culture bearers with our Big Squeeze Champs taking to the stage. Most importantly, it is a joyous night of savoring performances by the kings and queens of the accordion, with much dancing and merry-making, all under the stars in Houston, Texas. I hope many folks will come out this year to help us celebrate this very important birthday.”  

See You in Cat Spring

Polkabeat.com is proud to partner with Texas Dance Hall Preservation to present a dance to benefit Cat Spring Hall and Texas Dance Hall Preservation. 

The very popular Ennis Czech Boys kick off the event at 3 p.m. and will play for the dance until 6:30 p.m. and then at 8 p.m. the legendary Western Swing band, The River Road Boys will take the stage until midnight. 

CAT SPRING AG. HALL DANCE - MAY 3RD
CAT SPRING HALL http://www.catspringagsociety.org 
ENNIS CZECH BOYS (3PM) www.ennisczechboys.com
RIVER ROAD BOYS (8PM) www.riverroadboys.com 

RESERVED SEATING & ADVANCE TICKETS AT 
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/606843
OR $15 AT THE DOOR

FOR FURTHER INFO: www.texasdancehall.org
OR STEPHEN DEAN  (512) 567-7570
POLKA BEAT http://www.polkabeat.com

Polka for the Park

A group of Houston polka lovers are hosting a benefit on Friday, November, 8 to raise money for their family and friends who were affected by the plant explosion in West, Texas. The Polka for the Park event will be held at SPJST Lodge 88 in the Heights and the evening of fundraising will be full of entertainment, including an auction and dance. Grammy-winning band Brave Combo will be headlining the event. Proceeds will help West residents rebuild their city park honoring First Responders. Table underwriters will be invited to a pre-event reception with the guests of honor West Mayor Tommy Muska and his wife, Lisa. Polkabeat visited with Karen Carr, one of the organizers to find out more about the event.

Who all is involved in planning the event? Family and friends of West residents. There are 12 of us that have worked together to plan the event. My mom, Barbara Fisher, was raised in West and the mayor, Tommy Muska, is our cousin. In no time at all we had people eager to pitch in and help.

Why did y'all decide to hold the event? Several of us went to West several days after the explosion to help in any way we could. There were tremendous relief efforts in place but we still wanted to do something more. We thought this event would be a nice way to keep the momentum going and to allow those that could not make it to West to show support in Houston.

Why did you select the park as the beneficiary? Tommy mentioned that this would be a gift the whole town could benefit from. The park was destroyed in the blast. Then when we learned about Parker’s Park Project, we knew it was the right thing to do. Parker’s father Joey, is one of the fallen first responders. It’s Parker’s wish to rebuild the city park, a project his father was a strong supporter of. He has a great “grass roots” effort, and the support is swelling.

Why Brave Combo? Brave Combo has been a part of the Westfest lineup for years. The tent is always packed and the band is legendary. They play polka, salsa, rock, zydeco and bring their own infectious fun to every event that they headline.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at http://center4gracefoundation.org/donations.html.

Polka On at the Tomball German Heritage Festival

The Tomball German Heritage Festival just keeps getting bigger and better every year! The 13th edition of the festival will be held this weekend, March 22-24, in downtown Tomball. Polkabeat.com is proud to once again sponsor the appearance of Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner on the Ziegenbock Stage Friday and Saturday, beginning at 6 PM and Sunday, beginning at 1 PM. Stop by the Polka On! table next to the stage to purchase must-have polka items, sign up to receive my newsletter, bring me a bier, or just to say hello. You're invited to help us get the party started on Thursday at a special Acoustic Alex set at Cactus Music in Houston beginning at 5:30 PM. St. Arnold's will provide the beverages.

All five stages will be alive with great music. Check out the line-up featuring Das Ist Lustig, Chris Rybak, Eurofest, TubaMeisters and a whole stage devoted to Bluegrass music. You'll also want to catch some of the performances by high school German Clubs, including Clements High School in Sugar Land, who won first place at state for German folk dancing! Kingwood and Friendswood High School groups will also be performing, along with German polka bands from Reagan and The Woodlands College Park High Schools.

The festival also features 150 vendors selling everything, including great food and ice cold bier. The contests are also great to participate in and/or cheer on your favorites. New this year is the Big Squeeze Accordion Contest on Saturday at 10 AM and the Doggy Costume Parade and Contest at 12:45 PM on Sunday. Other contests: Chicken Dance, Yodeling and Best Dressed German. Find out more.

Polka On Tomball!

Polka On at the East Bernard Kolache Festival

Some polka festivals are spread out over a weekend or even weeks, but no one packs as much entertainment and great food in only one day than the Kolache and Klobase Festival in East Bernard, Texas. You don't want to miss the 22nd running of this great fest on Saturday, June 9. Here are my Top 10 reasons you need to be in East Bernard on Saturday. 10. Non-stop entertainment. From 10:30 AM to 11 PM eight bands perform in the pavilion and in the historic Riverside Hall. 9. The food! They start serving plate lunches of sausage, barbecue chicken and all the trimmings at 11 AM. 8. The kolaches! Dozens and dozens. My favorite is cheese. 7. The vendors. Lots of talented people selling their creations. Polkabeat.com will be there with new items from the Polka On! store. 6. The people. None friendlier than a polka crowd. 5. The hall. Lots of room to dance and great floor. 4. The flag tribute and grand march. Starts at 3 PM. Makes you proud to be an American and a polka lover! 3. The 3-band concert. Starts after the flag tribute and features Czech and Then Some, Dujka Brothers and Red Ravens. 2. The dancing. All the bands play a great variety of music from polka to country to cha cha. 1. The tradition. It's just one of the best run festivals in the state.

Czech Out the National Polka Festival in Ennis

As we approach Memorial Day Weekend and the 46th National Polka Festival in Ennis, I give you my Top 10 reasons why you need to be there! 10. Dance to the music of 14 live bands at 3 halls and 2 street dances. Awesome! See the schedule. 9. King and Queen Dance Contest on Friday night at Sokol Hall. 8. Parade at 10 AM Saturday through downtown Ennis with Miss Texas 2011 as grand marshal. Enjoy the music of the festival's polka bands riding on decorated floats and the sounds of the award-winning Ennis High School Marching Band. 7. Kolache Eating Contest at 1 PM on Saturday at Downtown stage. 6. Live Remote with the KBEC Johnnie I. Krajca Polka Show at KJT Hall on Sunday from 9-11 AM, featuring the music of the Ennis Czech Boys and The Moravians. FREE admission, kolaches and door prizes! 5. Thursday night pre-festival jam sponsored by polkabeat.com. Lots of great Polka On! giveaways and those great Polka On! shirts will be available for only $10. Price goes up to $15 the rest of the weekend. 4. Polkabeat.com table at KJT Hall on Saturday and Sokol Hall on Sunday. Stop by to stock up on the latest Polka On! products--bumper stickers, fans, car windshield sunshades, and jewelry. 3. The food! OMG! 2. Celebrate Texas Czech heritage! 1. It's a family tradition.

Celebrate All That Makes America Great

Our veterans. Czech immigration. Dance club anniversary. Just having the right to polka on! You can celebrate it all this weekend with the polka dance choices all around Texas. Starting Friday, nothing says America like a county fair where you'll find the Chris Rybak Band performing at the Lee County Fair in Giddings. In the dare to be different Americana division, you have the Brave Combo playing at Abbey Underground in Denton. Another chance to celebrate the band's new CD, Sounds of the Hollow. And try out the new Friday night gone country at SPJST Lodge 88 in Houston with the band Detour. More great country at Othie's in Sealy with Charles & the Fabulous 4.

475263-01 Sweet Home 051812

Saturday has a great mix of polka, country and rock 'n roll. Austin: Brave Combo @ Jovita’s, another CD release party Elgin: The Crop Dusters @ SPJST Lodge 18 Giddings: Lee County FairThe Original Triumphs @ Fairgrounds Houston: Texas Legacy Czech Band @ SPJST Lodge 88 Lancaster: Historical Society Fundraiser Chris Rybak @ Society Rose GardenSeaton:Jerry Haisler & the Melody 5 @ Star Hall Sweet Home: Rock ’n Roll Bandstand Original Moods @ Community CenterSwiss Alp: Southern Express Band Wallis: Al Sulak @ American Legion

And Sunday offers another selection of dances that will be hard to choose which one to attend. Anhalt: 137th Annual Maifest Litt’l Fishermen, Jake Hooker @ Anhalt Hall Deanville: MaifestDas Ist Lustig @ St. John’s Lutheran Church Elgin: Holub Polka Band @ SPJST #18 Geronimo: Charles & the Fabulous 4 @ VFW Hall Industry: Central Texas Sounds @ Fireman’s Hall, continuing to celebrate the Top Cat Club's 50th anniversary year La Grange: Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center Slavnost/May Fest Donnie Wavra @ Fayette County Fairgrounds Pavilion, celebrating Czech immigrants and their contributions to our enviable Texas life Needville: Texas Sound Check @ KC Hall Penelope: Parish PicnicCzech & Then Some @ Church Hall Rosenberg: Veterans Tribute Dance Texas Legacy Czech Band, Texas Dutchmen @ American Legion Hall Schulenburg: Odessa @ KC Hall St. Hedwig: Picnic & Dance Chris Rybak @ American Legion Hall Swiss Alp: Odessa

Go to polkabeat.com for times, maps/directions. Polka On Y'all!