Polka dance on Sunday at The Bur Oak!
Plus, long bike ride + polka = Wisconsin
In this week’s Shotski Lodge, I talk about what to expect from Sunday’s polka dance at the Bur Oak (hint: it’s going to be lovely weather, so bike in if you can and it’s a partially seated venue, so get there early if you need a chair). It will be the first chance to buy new polka-themed merch, but everyone who comes will get a little surprise gift from the band and the DJ.
It’s also time to sign up for the Trek 100. If you love a long bike ride out in the country, this fundraiser for childhood cancer will help you ride for a cause with some fun party stops on the way. Not for you? Please tell your friend who can’t stop talking about their bike training schedule.
I also talk about why Shotski Lodge post comments are only for paid Lodge members. Seriously just email me at djshotski@gmail.com. I love to hear from you. I get the best emails.
And what do you think about Shotski Lodge newsletters this summer that give a shout out to some of the amazing community radio shows I find? Can we talk more about what’s happening on local radio all over this country and the incredible volunteers who are producing great radio?
Polka Time: Where and when to listen
ENCORE - April 27 all-Minnesota show
Sunday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona
Streaming - Rebroadcast of last week’s 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
Sunday, April 27 - Sunday Afternoon Polka Dance with The DB Polka Express and DJ Shotski
Grab a friend and learn how to do Wisconsin's state dance at The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St
Madison, WI. Starting at 1 p.m., DJ Shotski will spin vintage polka records before a dance lesson for all abilities at 2 p.m. Practice your moves to The DB Polka Express' Oktoberfest-inspired traditional and modern songs at 2:30 p.m.
All ages and all abilities are welcome. Youth under 18 are free, and young people under 21 are welcome with a supervising adult.
Buy tickets in advance. Spread the word on Facebook.
Saturday, June 8 - Trek 100
Since 1990, Trek bicycle company has been hosting a charity ride, raising over $22 million for the MACC Fund. Bike riders take on beautiful, rural Wisconsin trails and rest at party stops along the way. One rest stop will be a polka party with DJ Shotski!
Sign up for the event or send this link to your friends who love a long country bike ride: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/trek100/
Saturday, September 13 - Gemütlichkeit Days
Jefferson County, Wisconsin has thrown a party to celebrate its German heritage since 1971. This year will be no exception as the community gathers for polka music, dancing, games and the welcoming spirit of Gemütlichkeit.
Join DJ Shotski in the GDays biergarten for vintage polka from Wisconsin and the upper Midwest from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Dancers welcome.
The event is held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 503 N. Jackson Ave., Jefferson, WI. In the event of rain, the event will move inside a fairgrounds building. Thanks to generous local sponsors, GDays is free.
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,” though I’m backed up on processing donated records at the moment. I hope to be caught up by late spring 2025. Email me at djshotski@gmail.com with a description of what you have to share.
Want to connect? Drop me an email.
I’d love to hear from you at djshotski@gmail.com
In the Shotski Lodge, only paid subscribers can leave comments on posts. That’s by design. I want to connect with listeners in a better, more direct way than in a comments section. We’ve been leaving comments on social media apps for twenty years and it’s a real mixed bag whether it’s brought us more connection or left us feeling more disconnected from each other.
So drop me a line. Tell me what polka music means to you. Or ask me for some community radio show recommendations. Let’s connect outside of social media.