Last Friday, a group of men gathered for a large crowd at the Cool Creek Concert Series in Westfield, IN. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from this band before I got to the show. However, during the show – What I found was a collection of the “…Greatest Music in ze vurld,” and done so in an unusual manner. (By the way – Imagine that last sentence in a German accent, and it’ll all make sense.)
Before the show, I was allowed backstage to see what the men from Polka Boy were like. To be truthful, they really weren’t what I expected – Middle aged men, all grouped together, who come from every walk of life, who just love to play music. At the heart of the group are Accordion players, trumpet players, keyboards, guitars, bass and drums. It’s a lot to take in. However, the gentlemen were more than generous with talking about their backgrounds and an insight to what would be expected.
However, I didn’t expect bands like this to play Disney or Elvis Presley covers. They did. And it was wonderful.
A crowd of 2,500 gathered to watch the show with Parents, Grandparents and Children alike. Masses of people, so captivated by the mood, would run to the front by the stage to partake in the dancing and festive fun. Adults well into their 50′s and 60′s were still upfront laughing out loud while doing a polka version of the “Hokey Pokey.” Quite frankly – That could have been the most epic part of the night – Watching people ranging from 5 – 65 sticking their inanimate body parts in and out of a huge circle formed at the band’s request.
Vendors were set up throughout the area to help everyone have an eventful time, including a Climbing wall, Face painting, and a Sno Cone vendor. Yes – Even I could get me sno cone on during a polka show.
I could not have imagined a more fun night. Afterward, I went backstage again to thank the gentlemen for a wonderful night of music. After talking with them for the hour we were backstage, we found that this band just genuinely loves to play music for people. They couldn’t have been more excited to have seen the crowd walk up ten by tens and dance in front of the band. It, in turn, showed on the performance stage as the band got even more excited and had even more fun on stage. Smiles on faces as the crowd sang along to their hits, and even allowing some young choir members to hop on stage and sing a little bit themselves too.
If you haven’t had the chance to check out Polka Boy, don’t fret – The band will be back in the Indy area on June 24th where they love to play most in Indianapolis – The Rathskeller. I highly encourage everyone (who is obviously of age) to run, don’t walk, to this show to enjoy 3 sets of great, fun, and certainly unorthodox Polka Music.
Picture courtesy of RC Fine Portraits.