Thrill to a spectacular festival of music and dancing at the 56th annual Thanksgiving Polka Weekend, hosted by the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame. The Downtown Cleveland Marriott Hotel becomes Polka Party Central with today’s top Cleveland-Style talents. Denis Novato, world button box champion with 20 wins, returns from Italy to amaze you with his accordion artistry. He’s joined by the exciting Alex Meixner, TV’s premier squeezeboxer who recently appeared in the film, “The Polka King,” starring Jack Black. LynnMarie arrives from Nashville with E3 and their winning new song, "Home."
Dance or listen to bands in three locations. You can also bring your instrument and play along. Thursday offers polka fire power with Denis Novato, Canada’s Polka King Walter Ostanek, Grammy-winner Joey Miskulin and Aaron Dussing’s Polka Revolution. On Friday, warm up with Linda Lee Brown in the lobby, then join Alex Meixner, Fritz’s Polka Band, Don Wojtila, Band of the Year Klancnik and Friends, the Harmonia Balkan Review, the Fairport Jammers, and the big button-box jam with Denis.
The curtain rises on the gala Awards Show at 2:00 on Saturday. At 4:30, take spiritual pause with the Polka Mass, featuring Kathy Hlad. More polka revelry follows with the KTB Band, Frank Stanger, Fritz’s Polka Band, and the high-energy teaming of LynnMarie, E3, Denis and Alex. This weekend may be the best one ever.
Save with a weekend pass to all four events, only $65. Music to the max Thursday ($15) from 6:00 to 11:00; Friday ($20) from 2:30 p.m. to midnight; and Saturday evening ($15). Awards Show tickets are $25 each.
Reserve rooms at the Downtown Marriott Hotel through Kollander Travel at a special rate of $105 per room-night, (216) 692-1000, toll-free (800) 800-5981, or kwt@kollander.com. Attached, indoor parking, $8 after 5:00 and all day Saturday. For dance and show tickets, contact the Polka Hall of Fame, (216) 261-FAME, toll-free (866) 66-POLKA, or polkashop@aol.com.
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