No video update from me today. I’ve been sick, but I’m on the mend. A virus took me down this week and I very sadly had to cancel my talk about wy I think polka will make its 100-year comeback cycle soon. The slide deck is ready to go, so hopefully that talk will find another venue in the future.
The Prost Oktoberfest party was a blast. Lots of people filtered in and out throughout the day to grab a brat and catch a football or soccer game. Three cheers to the folks who came in lederhosen and dirndls! We’re going to get more dancers out next year.
Finally, please join me at The Wedge on Saturday, October 5 for an Oktoberfest-themed Badger football watch party. The Wedge will be open early for the game with grilled brats and special beers on tap. I’ll be playing vintage polka for the “5th Quarter” post-game polka party (starting around 2 p.m.). Event is free. Tip your servers.
Polka Time: Where and when to listen
LIVE - October 6
Sunday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona
Streaming - last week’s extended Thrift Shop haul show
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
Saturday, October 5 — The Wedge Badger Game Day Party - Oktoberfest style.
The Wedge loves Wisconsin. The bar at the corner of Atwood and Winnebago has a true ‘Sconnie vibe. And they love polka.
The Wedge will throw their first Oktoberfest party AND a Badger football gameday event, so wear your Badger pride gear, your lederhosen and your dancing shoes.
The Wedge will open at 10 a.m., Badgers play Purdue at home at 11 a.m., and the polka party starts in the post-game 5th Quarter (around 2ish).
Party is free. Tip your servers. Spread the word on 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. Spread the word on Facebook.
Save the date: January 11 — Madison Public Library jigsaw puzzle contest
How to beat the post-holiday winter blahs? COZY TIME WITH JIGSAW PUZZLES. What makes that even better? Contests! Prizes! Open puzzle tables! And DJ Shotski spinning vintage elevator music. You think you like my polka? Wait until you hear my selection of groovy, jazzy, funky easy listening tunes.
Event will be from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. with teams setting up at 9:30 a.m. Stay tuned for information to register your team, or just sign up to visit an open table.
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.