National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum
605 East 222nd Street
Euclid, OH 44123
USA
E-mail: Polkashop@aol.com
Phone: 216-261-3263
Toll Free: 1-866-66POLKA
Fax: 216-261-4134
The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum takes to the airwaves
with a two hour weekly radio and internet polka music broadcast. “Polka Hall of Fame
Radio” airs every Saturday from noon to 2:00 p.m. EST on Cleveland radio station
WINT, 101.5 FM and 1330 AM, and streaming worldwide on the internet on 247PolkaHeaven.com.
The show repeats Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. “Polka Hall of
Fame Radio” features polka and waltz music, especially the Cleveland-Style Polka,
the genre of American dance music that emerged from the city’s Slovenian and nationality
neighborhoods a century ago and became a national sensation in 1940s and 1950s. The
musicwas first made popular by Cleveland native Frank Yankovic, America’s Polka King,
and is still enjoyed today across the country at dances, festivals and family occasions.
In addition to music, the Polka Hall of Fame will produce exclusive programming,
such as new artists, album premieres, interviews and profiles, on-location shows,
community news, and live entertainment. The organization hosts ten music events each
year, including the Slovenian Sausage Festival, the Super Button Box Bash, and the
three-day Thanksgiving Polka Weekend. Each year, the gala Polka Music Awards Show
honors achievers in various categories. “Polka music is a lively part of American
culture, and the Polka Hall of Fame and Museum was founded to preserve and promote
it,” said John Muhvic, President of the American Slovenian Polka Foundation, which
manages the organization. “Radio and internet programming enhances our efforts to
connect music-lovers with polka’s past, present and future.” The show is hosted by
long-time polka deejay Denny Bucar with Joe Valencic and Joey Tomsick. All three
were among the founding trustees of the Polka Hall of Fame in 1987. Denny is a bass
player and vocalist who has been broadcasting for fifty years. He was inducted into
the Polka Hall of Fame in 2014 and serves on the group’s executive committee. Joe
Valencic‘s segment presents music and news from Slovenia. Joe is the Museum Director
of the Polka Hall of Fame and a past President and current Vice-President. He announces
in both English and Slovenian. Joey Tomsick presents Button Box Beat, with music
featuring the diatonic accordion, unique to Cleveland-Style Polka. He is an accordionist
and bandleader. With “Polka Hall of Fame Radio,” Denny, Joe and Joey continue the
radio legacy of the late Tony Petkovsek, who started the broadcast in 1961 and boosted
the polka scene until his passing in 2019. They co-hosted Tony’s programs on WINT
for many years. "WINT has always been a community-oriented radio station with a strong
music and nationality presence and listenership," said Ray Somich, WINT President.
"Radio is a high-profile way for the Polka Hall of Fame to expand the popularity
of polka music." "The Polka Hall of Fame can now share the happy sound of polka around
the world through the internet," added Ray Zalokar, founder of the first polka webcasting
site, 247PolkaHeaven.com, which will carry the broadcast. "This new show will win
over new audiences, anytime and anywhere. The Cleveland-Style Polka is known as America’s
Good-Time Music. Bands are led by the accordion and joined with banjo, bass and drums
for rhythm and saxophone or wind instruments to round out the distinctive sound.
Couples perform the bouncy polka step in 2/4 time with a signature skip or hop on
the half-beat. The waltz glides with a smooth one-two three pace. Both dances evolved
in Central Europe in the early 1800s and revolutionized social dancing with pairs
embracing as they turn. Polka music is a staple at many festivals, such as Oktoberfests,
Dyngus Day celebrations, church and nationality socials, and community fairs. The
National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame Museum features interactive music exhibits
and an extensive archive of recordings in the historic Old City Hall in Euclid, a
suburb of Cleveland. The Hall of Fame gallery pays tribute to the performers and
individuals who popularized the music. Thirty celebrity accordions are on display
with a story behind each. The Polka Gift Shop offers recordings, t-shirts and apparel,
and items with polka, Slovenian, Polish and nationality themes. The Museum is located
at 605 East 222nd Street in Euclid, Ohio, between Euclid City Hall and Euclid Public
Library. Hours are 11:00 to 4:00, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Free admission and parking.
The Polka Hall of Fame and its activities are supported by members, sponsors, grants
and donations. Gifts to the Polka Hall of Fame may be tax-deductible. For more information
on “Polka Hall of Fame Radio,” call (216) 261-3263, or e-mail PolkaShop@aol.com.
Check the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame Facebook page and PolkaFame.com
for announcements and upcoming events.
