GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Pioneer PBS’s Postcards will feature the history of polka in Minnesota on its upcoming episode. This program will air on Thursday, April 6 at 7 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 Thursday, April 6 at 7 p.m. This episode will be repeated on Sunday, April 9 at 7 p.m. and Monday, April 10 at 1:30 p.m. The program will also be available to stream at www.pioneer.org/postcards and on Postcards’ YouTube page at www.youtube.com/@PostcardsOnPioneerPBS.
About Postcards
Postcards is an award-winning art, culture and history program, produced by Dana Conroy with videography and editing by Kristofor Gieske and Ben Dempcy. The program is made possible by contributions from the voters of Minnesota through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The 2023 season is made possible by funding from Shalom Hill Farm, Explore Alexandria Tourism, Lake Region Arts Council, KRAM 96.7, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies and 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.
