Chmielewski Polka Fest is this weekend
Florian Chmielewski has played the accordion for more than 70 years, and his 39th annual International Polka Festival begins Friday, May 19 at Grand Casino Hinckley. This weekend also marks the release of his autobiography “0 to 90.”
The International Polka Festival takes place through Sunday, May 21 at the Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, MN. At the event, longtime accordion player Florian Chmielewski will have his 90th birthday party.
And at almost 90, Chmielewski is still going strong. As for retiring from playing his accordion and being in his band, he’ll think about that when he turns 100. “I’m on the road almost every day,” he said from his Sturgeon Lake, MN, home.
This weekend marks the release of “0 to 90,” a book about Chmielewski’s legacy that has been in the works for two years. At his daughter Patty’s urging, the self-published work will be ready for his birthday bash.
The Chmielewskis are in their sixth generation of musicians. Florian is one of 15 Chmielewski children born in Sturgeon Lake. The former dairy farmer, county commissioner, and Minnesota state senator got his first accordion at 18 and began to lead a band. He has many honors and awards, including a recent induction into the International Polka Music Hall of Fame in Buffalo, NY. He has three sons, Florian Jr., Jeffrey, and Mark, and daughter, Patty. His wife, Pat, died in 2003.
The band keeps busy performing across the region. “I just love being with the people. Nothing slows me down. I’m constantly on the road,” he said
He has played polkas at the Minnesota State Capitol as a Minnesota state senator for 26 years and had his own nationally syndicated polka television show for more than 32 years.
This weekend’s event will feature former Chmielewski Funtime Band musician, Robert Kase, a Grammy-nominated jazz artist with the Bob Kase Quintet. Also on the bill: Top Notchmen, Alaska Polka Chips, Jeff Winard & Joey Miskulin and many more. The event will also include a World of Accordion Museum display and accordion workshops, daily beginner and advanced polka hop lessons, and door prizes. Producers and hosts of the event are Patty Chmielewski and Michael Bell.
The polka festival features a tribute to “America’s undisputed Polka King,” the late Frankie Yankovic — a favorite of Iron Range polka fans and a friend of Chmielewski’s. Yankovic “did more to popularize polka music than any other single performer, and he remains the yardstick by which all other polka artists are measured,” according to a news release.
Also performing will be Joey Miskulin from the Grand Ole Opry’s “Riders in the Sky” and a Frankie Yankovic original band member. Miskulin is a hall of fame accordionist and producer of Grammy Award-winning music albums who has collaborated with Paul McCartney, U2, and John Denver. Miskulin began with Yankovic at age 13 and toured the United States as his featured accordionist.
For a complete schedule of events, visit funtimeband.com. For more information, contact Patty Chmielewski at (612) 597-8116 or pchmie09@gmail.com.
If you go
• What: 39th annual International Polka Festival
• Where: Grand Casino Hinckley, 777 Lady Luck Dr, Hinckley, MN
• When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; birthday bash is 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Admission: $20 for Friday or Saturday only, $17 for Sunday only, $49 for a three-day pass. Advance ticket sales are available through Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000, or on grandcasinomn.com.
