Weekend Lineup
Back to dancing at home

This would have been a big weekend - Stars, Stripes & Polka dance with the Czechaholics; St. John Picnic with Shiner Hobo Band, Red Ravens and Dujka Brothers; and Dubina Picnic with Lost Cause and Mark Halata & Texavia. It has been great to see the churches come up with creative ways to raise funds even though we can't all gather. 

St. John offered this alternative on its Facebook page (includes support of Ascension Parish in Moravia which also canceled its picnic on July 19):
If you are able to contribute to the NO PICNIC PICNIC Fund please specify which parish you would like to contribute to. Like Msgr John stated in the last post, please only give what you can, if you can. This is a difficult time for so many. Please continue to pray for those who have lost their lives to this horrible disease and their families, those who have been affected by the virus and all the healthcare professionals trying to keep everyone safe. Thank you to all the essential and non essential workers. May you all have a Blessed Weekend!
Please send your donation to
Dorothy 'Schmidt' Berger
95 CR 957B
Schulenburg, TX 78956

You can also contribute to Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Dubina online.

Not sure how much to give? Consider these purchases you usually make at the picnic: $10 dinners...desserts...live and silent auction items...cake walk...games...and here's the big one -- cold beer and other beverages. The churches will appreciate your support! 
 

Dance and festival cancellations are listed on polkabeat.com. The list represents cancellations that I know about. If dances/live music are still on the schedule, please call the venue before heading out.

Latest cancellations of festivals/events:
St. John Picnic, July 4, canceled
Dubina Picnic, July 5, canceled
Stars, Stripes & Polka dance, July 5, canceled
PoLK of A meeting & dance, July 12 in Sealy, canceled
Czech & Then Some @ National Hall, July 12, canceled
Battle dance at Columbus Hall in West, July 12, canceled
Pulaski Polka Days, Wisconsin, July 16-19, canceled
Ascension Church in Moravia picnic, July 19, canceled
Moulton Town & Country Jamboree, July 24-26, canceled
Corpus Christi: South Texas Summer Polka Fest, Aug. 8, canceled
Praha Picnic, August 15, canceled
Westfest, Labor Day Weekend, canceled
Kolache Festival in Caldwell, September 12, canceled
Wendish Fest in Serbin, September 27, canceld
Polka Party Cruise with Barefoot Becky, Jan. 3-10, 2021, canceled

Happy birthday, America & Polka On!

Coming in July: The Texas Polka News is entering a new chapter in its publishing history. Theresa Parker is stepping down as publisher. The paper will continue under the leadership of Gary E. McKee and a soon-to-be-named publisher. Details about the transition are being discussed and an announcement will be made in the next issue. Theresa thanked everyone for their support and cited that she had become overwhelmed and burned out by all the publishing duties. She said she is looking forward to retirement and spending more time with her granddaughter. While this is the main story in the July issue, the paper is filled with some great reads. Gary looks at the first issue of TPN published by Julius Tupa in 1987. He follows the musical history of a group of musician friends known as the Off-Beats at Schulenburg High and who now play with the Shiner Hobos. The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed some creative musical outlets like Jerry Haisler and friends who created a song and video about the East Bell County Corona Busters. Justin Everett reviews music of GEEZER, profiles DJ Craig Montana, and features the music career of Matt Strmiska. Other topics of interest - gazebos and brass bands, Big Squeeze accordion winners, remembering Mike Barker of Alpenfest, and PoLK of A scholarship winners. Of course, we have your July/August calendar of dances, festivals, and live music events. Please check venue and organization websites and Facebook pages to see if events are still on. Also check the calendar on polkabeat.com, which is updated daily. Visit  texaspolkanews.com to see latest issue.


Photo Gallery 
Last year's St. John Picnic 
Click on photo to see images by Rose Vrazel, Justin Everett, Earline Berger Okruhlik, Joe Cool Pavlicek, and Gary E. McKee

Last year's Dubina Picnic
Click on photo to see images by Gary E. McKee

Watch the video by Walt Harfmann of
Fritz Hodde at Dale's Essenhaus in
Walburg 


Polka Trending


With COVID-19 cases at an all time high in Texas, there has never been a more crucial time to raise awareness of the importance of wearing a protective mask. 

When Gary P. Nunn, icon of Lone Star music, launched the Texas Maskuerade Party initiative at a press conference on May 20th imploring everyone to stay safe by wearing a mask and socialize responsibly, he had no idea just how crucial this message would continue to be in the weeks ahead. 

And now acclaimed Western artist, Jack Terry, has shown his support for Nunn's campaign and captured the moment in his poignant painting, the Texas Maskuerade Party, which aims to raise even more awareness and funds, to continue educating and encouraging Texans to protect each other during this COVID-19 outbreak. 

Texas Maskuerade Party is here to remind you to Socialize Responsibly. 
Join Us On Facebook and the Texas Mask Party  website for more updates.

 

Watch the videos  by Walt Harfmann of  Fritz Hodde at Dale's Essenhaus in  Walburg... the Walburg Boys...Czech Harvesters at TPMM Fundraiser in West...Walburg Boys at Leap Year Day party...Dujka Brothers in Elgin...Red Ravens in Cyclone...all five bands at the Ennis Czech Music Festival

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


Are you missing your Beatles fix with the Fab 5 at Lodge 88 in Houston? Thanks to Harris County Precinct 4, the band will live stream a concert on Wed., July 8, 12-3 pm on the Precinct 4 Facebook page.

Yes, Virginia, there will be a Willie Nelson 4th of July picnic...online.
This year, Luck Productions was set to host the 47th annual event, welcoming the Picnic back to its hill country home. While the droves of sweaty Texas hippies and extended family members-blood kin and musicians alike-won't be crowding into Willie's Luck, TX, ranch this summer, the man himself will be performing alongside his band from his nearby recording facility, Pedernales Studios. In addition to Willie, performers will include the likes of Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley, Margo Price, Steve Earle, Kurt Vile and more. Tickets for digital admission are $35 ahead of the event and $45 day-of-show. Read more and get your tickets.
WEEKLY LAUGH

Some 4th of July funnies.

Teacher:  What did George Washington say to his men before they crossed the Delaware?
Johnny:  "Get in the boat, men!"

Harry: What do you call an American drawing?
John: What?
Harry: Yankee doodle!

Teacher: Tommy, can you tell us where the Declaration of Independence was signed?
Tommy: Yes, ma'am. At the bottom.

Robert: What did the colonists wear to the Boston Tea Party?
John: I don't know.
Robert: Tea-shirts.

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