(Polka) Love is in the air
We're getting romantic on Polka Time this week.
Polka isn’t just for partying. It’s about dancing with the one you love! I hope you set a reminder and tune into the live episode of Polka Time with DJ Shotski this Sunday evening at 7 p.m. CST. If you miss it, catch the rebroadcast next weekend on partner stations.
Let’s listen to records, together.
I’ve also been thinking about why it’s a different vibe for DJs to be the selector of music they play for you versus a collector who invites you in to listen to records together. I want to be the “let’s listen to old records together” kind of DJ.
The live broadcast of Polka Time is just that: live radio. It’s an event and a shared experience of an unknown number of people at the same time. Since I didn’t grow up with polka like many of my Wisconsin friends did, I’m exploring this music right along with you when we listen to records together.
Couldn’t we use some happy, shared experiences right now?
Polka Time: Where and when to listen
LIVE - February 9 Valentine’s show
Sunday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona
Streaming - Rebroadcast of last week’s all-45s 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, February 22 — Polka Dance Party at the Grumpy Old Men Winter Festival, Wabasha, MN
If John Gustafson and Max Goldman are your vibe, you will love this dance party at the annual Grumpy Old Men festival in Wabasha, Minnesota. DJ Shotski will team up with Twin Cities dance instructor Miss Shannon to share an all-Minnesota polka music set and teach people how to dance the polka. Dancing shoes and buffalo plaid encouraged.
Find the dance at The Transfer Building, 128 W 2nd St, Wabasha, MN from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, February 22.
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.
What’s next for DJ Shotski?
I’ve got some public and private events in the works, but if you know someone who needs vintage vinyl or polka jams for their next party, drop me a line at djshotski@gmail.com.
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 spring 2025. Email me at djshotski@gmail.com with a description of what you have to share.