Weekend Lineup
Ennis Czech Music Festival
The Czech polka bands of Ennis invite you to attend the 14th Ennis Czech Music Festival, always held the Saturday following the Super Bowl. Platinum sponsor for the fest this year is Texas Farm Bureau Insurance - Josh Zapletal, Agent. The Polka On! Pre-Party kicks things off on Fri., Feb. 7, in the Sokol Clubroom, from 7-11 pm. This special night, sponsored by Sokol Ennis, will get you all warmed up for the fest. There is no cover charge and the All Around Czechs will be providing the music. 
The fest on Saturday starts at 1 pm at Sokol with Jodie Mikula Orchestra, followed by Czech & Then Some, The Moravians, Ennis Czech Boys, and Czech Harvesters. The Texas Polka News is proud to sponsor the Grand March Kroj Parade starting at 3:10 pm with Czech & Then Some. 
Come hungry because the Sokol kitchen will be serving Czech classics all day long, including Klobase and Sauerkraut, and will serve a fried catfish dinner served from 4-7 pm. It's a family atmosphere filled with great music, dancing, food, kid zone, and much more! Doors open at 12 pm with music from 1-11:10 pm. Admission is only $8, and kids aged 12 & under are free! 

Polka notes: The Swiss Alp Dance Club dance with the Red Ravens scheduled for this Sunday has been moved to Feb. 23. So don't show up at the KC Hall in Schulenburg this Sunday unless you want to crash another party that's being held at the hall!...Barefoot Becky & Ivanhoe Dutchmen begin their Texas tour Sunday in New Braunfels at the Goodtime Polka & Waltz Club dance at Eagle's Hall.

Check out these TPN/polkabeat advertisers
Cistern Country Store FridayDJ Superman...Saturday: Smokin' Guns
Krause's Cafe  Friday: The Administrators & Step Aside Blues Band...Saturday: Armadillo Races... Krause's support HeartGift thru Feb 14 Learn more!
Mullins Prairie Store Saturday: Darrel Appelt
Schroeder Hall  Saturday: Jeff Woolsey & Dancehall Kings
Houston VFW #10352 Sunday: Liz Talley & Dusty Spur
Sweet Home Sunday: Charles & Fab 4
Moravia Store Sunday: Victor Rodriguez
Goodtime Polka & Waltz Club Sunday: Barefoot Becky & Ivanhoe Dutchmen

Also this weekend
Friday AUSTIN: Sean Orr @ BD Riley's... BUDA: Al Dressen/Super Swing Revue @ Buck's Back Yard...EAGLE LAKE: Lost Cause @ Community Center...GERONIMO: Randy Harrison/The Posse @ VFW...HOUSTON: Das Ist Lustig @ Rudi Lechner's...SEGUIN: Wrangler Country @ Silver Center
Saturday AUSTIN: Al Dressen/Super Swing Revue @ Callahan's...HALLETTSVILLE: Colby Albright Band @ Blase's Hall...KATY: Mike Stroup @ Texas Tradition...PEARLAND: Enzian Buam @ King's Biergarten...RED ROCK: Nathan Colt Young @ Watterson Hall...ROSENBERG: Texas Sound Check (Happy Cousins Dance Club) Public Dance @ American Legion...ROUND TOP: Sean Orr @ Stone Cellar...SAN ANTONIO: Rocky King @ Martinez Social Club...WALL (San Angelo): Czechaholics (Wall Dance Club) @ St. Ambrose Parish Hall
Sunday AUSTIN: Glen Collins/The Alibis @ Pilot Knob VFW...GERONIMO: Bob Appel @ VFW...LOCKHART: Al Dressen/BBQ Playboys @ Kreuz Market...ROUND TOP: Mike Stroup @ Teague's Tavern...SAN ANTONIO: Most Wanted @ Martinez Social Club

Looking ahead to next week : Monday - Charles Thibodeaux & Austin Cajun Aces in Austin.  Tuesday AUSTIN: Bob Wills Night w/Al Dressen/Super Swing Revue @ Sam's Town Point...PLANO: Alan Walling @ Bavarian Grill (Wed., Thurs., too!)...ROUND TOP: Mike Stroup @ Teague's Tavern...VICTORIA: Crossroads Country Opry @ VFW...WACO: Roger Kirby & Texas Heartbeat (Young at Heart Club) @ Sul Ross Center  Wednesday HOUSTON: Das Ist Lustig @ Rudi Lechner's...SAN ANTONIO: Good Ole Boys @ Martinez Social Club 

12th Annual Classic Country & Honky Tonk Valentine's Party in Canton starts Thursday and runs through Saturday.

Help me Polka on in Ennis!

Coming in February: What better way to celebrate the month of love than with a feature on polka sweethearts Ross and Valina of Das Ist Lustig. Read about this couple's mission to promote polka to all age groups and how they stay true to their band's name, which translates to That's Fun! Gary E. McKee continues his look at the Roaring Twenties, this time focused on the dawn of radio. Justin Everett reviews Brandon Hodde's new CD, interviews DJ Dallas Wayne, and gives us a glimpse of what life is like for Dennis Svatek of the Czech Melody Masters. Also in this issue, info on the Alex Meixner Texas tour, and photos of the Pavlas Tavern anniversary bash in Moulton and the Tomball German Christmas Market. Of course, we have your February calendar of dances, festivals, and live music events. 
 
Visit  texaspolkanews.com to see latest issue.


Photo Gallery 
Tony Booth Birthday Bash
Click on photo to see images by Joe Cool Pavlicek
SqueezeBox in Houston
Click on photo to see images by Julie Matus
South Texas Czechs @ 
Mullin's Prairie Store
Click on photo to see images by Gary E. McKee
Moravian Woodpeckers @ 
Pavlas Tavern
Click on photo to see images by Gary E. McKee

Polka Trending
 



TDHP to Award Preservation Grants
Do you manage a dance hall? Maybe a historic hall that needs some updating, but don't have the funds? Then you will want to learn more about how to apply for  Texas Dance Hall Preservation's Spring 2020 Preservation Grants. Learn more. Deadline to apply is March 1.

Young Accordion Players Are Invited to Learn, Compete and Engage in Live Music Events Across the State!

The 14th annual Big Squeeze Accordion Contest announces its dynamic 2020 event lineup featuring youth competitions, live concerts and music workshops in traditional Texas accordion music genres including conjunto, polka, Cajun, zydeco and more. From February to April, the Texas Folklife team will produce local events in communities across the state - each uniquely highlighting talented young accordion players and celebrating Texas' diverse musical heritage. The competitions and workshops are open to the public and seeking participants.
 











Blue Denim @ Sweet Home
Click on photo to see images by Gary E. McKee

Watch the videos  by Walt Harfmann of SqueezeBox in Cyclone...Fritz Hodde & Fab 6 at NYE dance in Elgin...Walburg Boys on Dec. 28...Dujka Brothers, SqueezeBox, Chris Rybak at Tomball German Christmas Market...The Johnny Koenig Band, Mark Halata & Texavia, and more from Wurstfest...Jodie Mikula Orchestra at Moravian Hall in Corn Hill

Watch the videos  by George Weber of Fritz Hodde/Fab 6 and 3-band jam at El Campo Polka Fest...Lost Cause at the PoLK of A dance...Das Ist Lustig and SqueezeBox at Tomball German Christmas Market...Red Ravens and Dujka Brothers at Ellinger Polka Fest...Czech & Then Some and The Moravians at Caldwell Kolache Festival
WEEKLY LAUGH
A DEA officer stopped at our farm yesterday. He said "I need to inspect  your farm for illegal growing drugs."

I said "Okay, but don't go in that field over there."

The DEA officer verbally exploded saying, "Mister, I have the authority  of the federal government with me!" Reaching into his rear pants pocket,  the arrogant officer removed his badge and shoved it in my face. "See  this badge?! This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish, on  any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself  clear?"

I nodded politely, apologized, and went about my chores. A short time  later, I heard loud screams, looked up, and saw the DEA officer running  for his life, being chased by my big old mean bull. With every step the  bull was gaining ground on the officer, and it seemed likely that he'd  sure enough get gored before he reached safety. The officer was clearly  terrified.

I threw down my tools, ran to the fence and yelled at the top of my lungs
"Your badge, show him your BADGE!"

Submitted by: Shane Lala     Share your jokes: [email protected]
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