Carolers keep Polish Christmas Spirit Alive
by Jen Pijanowski
Once Thanksgiving arrives, our home and car are filled with kolędy from a variety of musicians. It has become a tradition that as soon as the Macy’s Day Parade is over, Golec Orchestra provides the backdrop to the preparation of our family’s feast.
Thanks to social media, this year I took notice of the many musicians and carolers who volunteered their time to keep the tradition of caroling alive. Groups in Chicago, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, Toledo, and Buffalo were a few of the talented caroling groups heading out to spread Christmas cheer this year.
Chicago’s Polish Carolers embarked on nine days of caroling, making 40 stops along the way. Photos of musicians, singers, and abundant Christmas cheer literally brought Troy Gawlak’s Folk Carols of Poland to life. Dozens of Cleveland’s best united for kolędy along with traditional folk outfits that mimicked kolędowanie. Upon seeing the photos and videos of this get together, I was very jealous to not have been in attendance to join in the merriment.
Another large group of Toledo musicians and polka fans spread some yuletide joy in their area. From posts it looked like quite an entourage making spirits bright in Toledo and the surrounding area.
Back home, the Bakowski family in Buffalo is keeping traditions alive in Western New York as Eric organized a get together with many of our local musicians to share in performing Christmas carols and embracing their passion for their Polish culture. A few musicians also visited a local Polish radio program hosted by Andy Gołębiowski. His program delved into the meaning behind many of these treasured Christmas hymns and carols while a few local musicians sang along, celebrating the blessed season. You can hear the Polish Carolers on Andy’s show and learn so much about the culture, traditions, and history by listening to The Polish American Radio Program via WEBRRadio.com.
I would like to extend a warm thank you to all the participants in any of the kolędy events. I thoroughly enjoyed the photos, videos, and joy that you spread during this holiday season.
THE BEAT PULL THE PLUG.
It is the end of an era for one of polka music’s most beloved bands. Members of The Beat took the stage for its last performance on December 6th at Belvedere Manor in Belvedere, N.J. Puco-Yashu’s “Ho, Ho, Ho” dance was the place to be as polka fans bid farewell to one of polka’s most innovative bands. Mike Costa & The Beat catapulted onto the polka scene in 1996 and entertained fans across the country until its hiatus in 2000.
Meanwhile, in 2000, I was just dipping my toes into listening to polka music after meeting my husband a few years prior. While I loved the ambience of polka dances that I had attended, I was still not 100% sold on listening to the music on a regular basis. It was at this time that I was gifted a few polka CDs that changed my mind, one of them being “Meet the Beat.” During this stretch I spent many hours traveling between six states and my listening habits quickly switched from audio CDs (which is really showing my age) to a few of the Beat’s songs on repeat. The melodies were irresistible, energetic, and had the ability to change my perception of polka music. Unfortunately, at that time, the band was not traveling, so while I loved its music, I never had the opportunity to appreciate it in person.
Fast forward 13 years when Mike Costa and Steve Hayest decided to re-form The Beat. I was overjoyed at the opportunity to finally see this band. The addition of the new members just added more vigor and enthusiasm to its talents.
To this day, one of my all-time greatest memories is traveling to Pennsylvania during COVID to see The Beat at an outside venue. It was a reunion of friends that we had not seen in months with The Beat providing the soundtrack to a time where life as we had known it literally stopped.
Thank you to the band for its work, originality, and dedication to the polka world. There is no doubt its presence will be missed, but we will hold close to those wonderful memories. Congratulations to Costa and Hayest on a successful journey as musicians. I wish you all the best as you embark on a well-deserved, slower paced life. I look forward to seeing what other members of the group have in store for us. The future of polka music is looking bright as can be with these three young men continuing the path forged by their stint with The Beat.
UPCOMING. As we focus our energy off the winter months and into planning spring polka events, there are quite a few exciting events filling out the calendar.
The Cleveland Polka Association celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 and continues to host many events throughout the year. The organization was established in 1975 and became chartered in 1976 as a 501-C7 non-profit social organization. The CPA’s purpose is to create, promote, and gain interest in polka events. It strives to preserve the polka heritage and establish a close relationship between all people who enjoy polka music and dancing.
This club continues to grow every year with the help of members to spread the word about our organization. CPA currently has over 600+ members that reach from coast to coast and into Canada. It always welcome new members to join in helping the organization grow to be one that is loved and appreciated for the tasks we work to accomplish. Membership for the CPA is only $20.00 a year ($15.00 online). You can find more information about the club, membership, and upcoming events by visiting www.cpapolkas.com
The Wheeling Polka Festival will take place Mar 27-29, 2026, at Oglebay Resort. Among the bands performing are Frankie Liszka’s Blue Magic and John Gora & Gorale. Call (304) 243-4000 for room rates, tickets, and the band lineup.
Another gem is Kinloch Firehall, just outside Pittsburgh in New Kensington. March 1 is the kickoff with none the NuTones from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Next up is Buffalo’s Seven, April 12, also from 2:00-6:00. Chris Bogdon’s Birthday Celebration with the Concertina All Stars will be May 16 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Keep up-to-date with polka happenings in Western Pa. at www.westernpapolkas.com.
