One hundred accordion players will signal the opening of an historic music event at Key Plaza in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. “Polkas At The Rock,” a fund-raising event promoting polkas and recognizing artists who have made contributions to both rock and roll as well as polka history, will be held on Thursday, October 11, beginning at 6 pm outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum with the large gathering of accordionists.
The music and program will continue inside the Rock Hall at 7 pm as the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame joins forces with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for this event benefitting the not-for-profit Polka Hall of Fame.
The all-star polka show will showcase rock and roll performers who have crossed-over to polkas at some time, as well as current polka stars. The program will recognize musicians such as Eddie Platt, a well-known saxophonist and polka musician in the Cleveland area who recorded the popular rock and roll song “Tequila.” Others to be recognized include Del Sinchak performing his rock and roll hit “Rama Lama Ding Dong,” and the winners of this year’s Accordion Association Polka Band Contest Al Battistelli, Fred Ziwich and George Staiduhar.
Also performing for the evening’s entertainment and dancing will be the Eddie Rodick Band.
“We’re proud to be partnering with the Polka Hall of Fame for this historic event,” said Terry Stewart, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. “Cleveland is rich in its musical history, and polka is a big part of that.” Many of the same musicians who helped bring polka fame to the city of Cleveland also played and instrumental role in the rock and roll industry. “We hope to bring polka music to all generations through events like these,” said Cecilia Dolgan, President of the National Cleveland- Style Polka Hall of Fame. “Polka musicians are very talented in their ability to play all types of music, and we’re proud to showcase them as part of our heritage on a national basis.”
For additional information and reservations, please call (216) 261-3263.
The not for profit Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum exists to educate the world about the history and significance of rock and roll music. The museum carries out this mission through its effort to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret this art form within its cultural, social and artistic context.
The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, located in Euclid, Ohio, is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of polka music. The American Slovenian Polka Foundation, which operates the museum, was founded in 1987.
