GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Pioneer PBS will air a special documentary on the history of polka in Minnesota. “The State of Polka” will air on Monday, April 24 at 8 p.m.
Polka has been part of Minnesota’s rich music history for a long time. In this half-hour special, learn about Minnesota’s polka music scene. “Before I had ever even put my toe in New Ulm, I knew New Ulm as the polka capital of the United States,” said John Kass. “It was the Nashville of polka music.” Kass is the assistant executive director of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and one of many people interviewed in the documentary. He explained that some of the largest polka acts to come out of New Ulm were Whoopee John and The 6 Fat Dutchmen.
Other people interviewed for the story are Florian and Patty Chmielewski from the Chmielewski Fun Time Band; Steve Solkela, a self-described stuntman, comedian and musician; Larry Olsen and Jon Wendinger from the Larry Olsen Band; Donna Evenson from the Willmar Area Senior Citizens Club; Craig Ebel; and members of the polka band Winzige Hosen, a polka-rock hybrid band.
People in Pioneer PBS’s viewing area can livestream this episode at www.pioneer.org/live on Monday, April 24 at 8 p.m. The program is also available to stream at https://video.pioneer.org/video/state-of-polka-pxjddg. And on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyJryX63Ic4
“The State of Polka” was produced by Pioneer PBS senior producer Dana Conroy with videography by Pioneer PBS’s Ben Dempcy and Kristofor Gieske. The documentary was edited by Duluth-based filmmaker Mike Scholtz. Funding for this program is made possible by contributions from the voters of Minnesota through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and from members of Pioneer PBS.
About Pioneer PBS
Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station, dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit: www.pioneer.org.
