Thu 11/2 @ 7PM
Cleveland has always been known as Polka Town, every since its own Frankie Yankovic topped the charts with two huge-selling singles in the late 40s, “Just Because” and “Blue Skirt Waltz.” Known as America’s Polka King, he performed ceaselessly almost until his death in 1998 at the age of 83. He won the first Grammy awarded in the now-defunct polka category in 1986 for his album 70 Years of Polka Hits, released by his tireless fan and promoter, Cleveland record executive Steve Popovich. His funeral service at St. Mary’s in South Collinwood ended up with a flock of accordion players gaming on the sidewalk outside the church.
The rich history of Cleveland polka, which primarily emerged from its Slovenian community, is on display at the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid, which you should certainly visit if you haven’t already.
To get a taste of that history, come down to the Music Box Supper Club for a Cleveland Stories evening called Cleveland Polkatown USA. Cleveland’s preeminent historian John Grabowski will be in conversation with Joe Valencic, director of the Polka Hall of Fame and a person who knows all the great Cleveland polka stories. The program includes vintage photos and music clips.
The program, which starts at 7pm, is free. You can come for dinner too starting at 5. There’s a special fixed-rice dinner, which features an ethnic menu of beet salad, kielbasa with pierogis and onions, and kolaczki. Make reservations here.