This week I’m hiring movers to help me get hundreds of polka records out of my apartment to my new place. I’m buying a house today and I’m thrilled to settle into a new space that I hope will be filled with joy and creativity.
Though my life is in boxes, the show must go on. I’m kick-starting Oktoberfest season with some biergarteny goodness on the Sunday night live show. There’s a new event in the calendar that I’m excited about too.
You’re coming to Monroe on September 21 to break a world record, right? Get updates and logistics for the World’s Biggest Polka Dance. If you missed last week’s celebration of polka and Swiss music from Green County on last week’s live show, catch the rebroadcast this weekend. SO. MANY. YODELS.
Polka Time: Where and when to listen
LIVE - September 15
Sunday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona
Streaming - last week’s episode
Saturday, 8 a.m. - WHYS-FM 96.3 Eau Claire - support WHYS
Saturday, 3 p.m. - WRJQ Goodtime Radio - support WRJQ
Saturday, 6 p.m. - WPCA-FM 93.1 Amery - support WPCA
Saturday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona - support WVMO
Sunday, 7 a.m. - WOJB-FM 88.9 Hayward - support WOJB
Sunday, 8 a.m. - WILW-FM 96.3 Waupaca
Sunday, 9 a.m. - WOCT-FM 101.9 Oshkosh
Sunday, 4 p.m. - WLSP-FM 103.5 Sun Prairie - support SPMC
Thanks to these community and volunteer-powered stations for keeping vintage polka on the air waves.
Events
September 19-22 — Green County Cheese Days, Monroe
Cheese Days is set to break the world record in the number of people dancing the polka at this year’s festival. And DJ Shotski is providing the polka tunes! Can you be a part of this exciting event? Mark your calendar and register with Cheese Days for details.
October 2, 8 p.m. — Nerd Nite Madison
Is polka poised to make its 100-year comeback? Created around 1830 and brought to America around 1930, it feels like 2030 could be a good time for a Polka Renaissance.
DJ Shotski will make the case for a return to popularity for Wisconsin’s official state dance, and how we can be inspired by and learn from the cautionary tale of the swing dance revival of the late 1990s.
Nerd Nite is at the High Noon Saloon. You’ll find details about the October Nerd Nite on their website or via Facebook.
December 1 — Milwaukee Krampusnacht
Milwaukee Krampusnacht will be held on Sunday, December 1, 3-10 p.m. at Best Place and other businesses in the Historic Brewery District on Juneau Ave between 9th and 11th Street. DJ Shotski plays polka tunes from 5-7 p.m. in the historic Best Place hall.
Krampus is a folkloric monster of Alpine tradition. Children are told that goodly Saint Nick will reward them with treats if they are good, but if they are bad they will be visited by the hideous Krampus. Check back on the Krampusnacht website for updates.
Readers like you keep the Shotski Lodge open
The Shotski Lodge is a reader-supported publication. Support from subscribers like you gives me the confidence to pursue my mission to get more people to listen to vintage polka and vinyl records, including through this free e-newsletter.
Become a Shotski Lodge member - Substack offers paid subscriptions for people who want to be patrons of the Lodge’s mission.
DJ Shotski’s Venmo - skip the subscription and give via Venmo where transaction fees are lower.
Hire me for a gig! - your community needs a polka party. Email me at djshotski@gmail.com if you have a venue or an event that needs a vinyl DJ.
Donate records - the answer to free records is always “yes.” I’ll give your records a good home (or I’ll distribute them to my vinyl buddies). Email me at djshotski@gmail.com if grandpa’s records need to get out of the basement.