Festival in the News

Music festival heats up winter

By J. LOUISE LARSON Ennis Journal Managing Editor

Published: Monday, February 16, 2009 4:25 PM CST

At the height of Ellis County winter, one even chases away the February blues like no other can. The third annual Ennis Czech Music Festival, a precursor to the wildly popular National Polka Festival, was a huge hit Saturday. The Sokol Activity Center was chock full of polka buffs savoring klobase sausage, sauerkraut and the driving, upbeat tunes of Czech and Then Some, The Ennis Czech Boys, The Harvesters, Jak Se Do and the Jodie Mikula Orchestra.

Bonus groups scheduled included the Sokol gymnastics team and the St. John Czech Choir. Richard and Joyce Brinker were King and Queen at last year’s National Polka Festival. Joyce’s skirts whirled as the pair spun smoothly around the Sokol’s hardwood dance floor, the Richardson pair’s expert dance stylings showing why they won their royal banners. "We go all over – wherever there’s a dance," Richard Brinker said. Among dance lovers, Ennis is legend, he said. So what becomes a legend most? "Good halls, good dance floors, good music," he said. "Top notch," Joyce Brinker added. By mid-afternoon, there appeared to be more than 1,300 attendees – a houseful for the Sokol. Grandmas two-stepped around the room, clutching little grandbabies and getting their exercise, too. No partner? No problem – where there’s a will to savor the polka beat, there’s a way, and pairs of sisters, friends, mothers and daughters danced together. While there were plenty of retirees on hand who learned to polka from first- and second-generation Czech American parents and grandparents, there was plenty of evidence that polka was in good hands with the next generation. Youngsters in krojs – traditional Czech costumes, lots of color and embroidery, full lacy sleeves for the women, trim, handsome vests for the men. And pretty much everyone looks better in a kroj. "I love getting to see my cousins. And it’s fun," said young Jordan Patak, 8. "Polka is good exercise," said Morgan Patak. Miss Texas Czech Slovak Queen Ashley Sulak was there, dancing with Joe Janecka. Based in Hillsboro and Waco, she was there to support the day. "I’m with the Czech Heritage Society of Texas – I go around promoting the Czech culture," she said, hailing the Ennis event’s diverse crowd and the number of young people out enjoying themselves. "It’s great to come together to celebrate our culture," she said. From near and far people came – some of Czech descent, others just made honorary Czechs by their affection for the good music. "We’re trying to learn to polka," said Joyce Gazalski of Corsicana. "Ennis is just wonderful." "We like polkas – and we like this band," a Waco-based polka enthusiast said, pointing to the Ennis Czech Boys, who were on the stage. "It’s good to see young boys who still want to play polkas and waltzes. So many young people just want this crazy rock and roll," she said with a rueful smile. Glenn and Pat Prachyl came to take in the Czech ambience and to support their son, Jared, who plays in the Ennis Czech Boys. "This brings all the local bands together – it’s a family thing, but there’s a diverse crowd, from little bitty kids to grownups," she said. Started three years ago to foster local affection for the dance that has made Ennis a top destination for all things traditionally Czech, the Ennis Czech Music Festival continues to grow each year. "I think this is our biggest one so far," said Michelle Slovak, one of the event’s organizers and a member of the Ennis-based Czech & Then Some band. Slovak said she’s at home on the stage or the dance floor at the Ennis Czech Music Festival. "I love just hearing all the different bands. And polka music is happy music to me – I love listening to it, and I like dancing, too," she said. E-mail J. Louise at jlouise.larson@wninews.com.

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For those looking for a distraction from the winter blues, the Czech Music Festival may be just what the doctor ordered. The music fest is scheduled to begin Saturday at 2 p.m. and will run until 11:30 p.m. giving attendees lots of time to dance the night away and also visit with family and friends. The family friendly festival, which is in its third year, was started as a way for people to celebrate the Czech heritage and culture without breaking the bank or taking away from other activities.

Organizer David Slovak said the festival is held at a time of year that is usually slow and it is meant to bring people together to celebrate and have a great time. "We usually hold the festival the first Saturday after the Superbowl because that is a slow time of year," he said. "We’d like to provide a good time for families and promote the Czech culture at the same time. We are striving for a simple party. We encourage everyone to come and bring their dancing shoes!"

With a crowd of about 750 people last year, festival committee member and a member of one of the bands participating, Tony Vitovsky said they are counting on an even bigger crowd this year. "We are hoping that with all of the effort we have put into making sure everyone knows about the event and the line up of talent that will be performing, we will see a crowd of about 900 people over the course of the day," he said. "This is our third year for the festival and it just keeps getting bigger."

In keeping with the family friendly theme as well as the hope to keep the Czech traditions and customs alive, the festival features local Czech bands and encourages those in attendance to wear their Czech costumes and come take part in the traditional dances.

Vitovsky said he is happy to see the music live on. "The Czech music is very important to our people and to our community," he said. "Some of the tunes we play have been passed down through various generations and hold special meaning for families and we don’t want to see that become a thing of the past." To help in that effort, five Czech bands will be providing a day full of Polka favorites. Vitovsky said the event is really a family affair and hopes families from all over the county come to participate in some great music.

"This event is a really great way for people to spend the day visiting with family and friends and enjoying some traditional music," Vitovsky said. "Everyone is encouraged to wear their traditional Czech costumes and dance so it is also a great time to practice some dance moves. We will be raffling off some wonderful prizes and there will be a door prize drawn during every band set as well as having the kitchen at the hall so families can get snacks. We hope we’ve taken care of everything so there is really no need to leave once you get there." Cost for the daylong festivities is $5 per person with children 14 and under receiving free admission. The line up and schedule for the day includes: Czech and Then Some at 2 p.m. The Sokol gymnastics team at 3:30 p.m. The Ennis Czech Boys at 4 p.m. The Sokol gymnastics team at 5:30 p.m. Jak Se Do at 6 p.m. The St. John Czech Choir at 7:30 p.m. The Harvesters at 8 p.m. The Jodie Mikula Orchestra at 10 p.m.

Slovak said the festival is about bringing the music back to the community and allowing them the opportunity to take part in the good old days. "Years ago when the Polka Festival got started it was supported by the community and it was for the community but these days it is supported more by people from out of town," Slovak said. "What we were trying to do with this festival is to remind the community of how it used to be and bring them out to dance and pass along their memories to their families." ______________________________________________________________

Candice Beck-Adams, Community Editor

Ennis Daily News 01-05-2009

Czech festival brings old Ennis back to townfolk

Tradition is a very important thing for many people, especially those that do not wish to see their way of life and customs become a thing of the past. This holds true for members of the Ennis Czech musical community who started a tradition that is now in its third year.

The annual Czech Music Festival is slated to be held Feb. 7 at the Sokol Activity Center, located at 2262 E. Hwy 34, and committee member as well as a member of one of the bands participating, Tony Vitovsky, said he's happy to see the music live on.

"The Czech music is very important to our people and to our community," he said. "Some of the tunes we play have been passed down through various generations and hold special meaning for families and we don't want to see that become a thing of the past."

To help in that effort, five Czech bands will be providing a day full of Polka favorites beginning at 2 p.m. and ending at 11:30 p.m. Vitovsky said the event is really a family affair and hopes families from all over the county come to participate in some great music.

"This event is a really great way for people to spend the day visiting with family and friends and enjoying some traditional music," he said. "Everyone is encouraged to wear their traditional Czech costumes and dance so it is also a great time to practice some dance moves. The kitchen at the hall is open and there is really no need to leave once you get there, so we hope families will plan to spend the day with us."

Cost for the daylong festivities is $5 per person with children 14 and under receiving free admission. The lineup and schedule for the day includes:

2p.m. - Czech and Then Some 4 p.m. - The Ennis Czech Boys 6 p.m. - Jak Se Do 8 p.m. - The Harvesters 10 p.m. - The Jodie Mikula Orchestra

Event co-founder David Slovak said the festival is about bringing the music back to the community and allowing them the opportunity to take part in the good old days. "Years ago when the Polka Festival got started it was supported by the community and it was for the community, but these days it is supported more by people from out of town," Slovak said. "What we were trying to do with this festival is to remind the community of how it used to be and bring them out to dance and pass along their memories to their families."

The timing for the event has been the weekend after the NFL Super Bowl and Slovak said it comes at a time when there isn't much going on so he hopes that helps with attendance.

"We are striving for a simple party," he said. "We'd like to provide a good time for families during a slow period of the year and promote the Czech culture at the same time. We encourage everyone to come and bring their dancing shoes!"

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Ennis Czech festival Saturday at Sokol Activity Center

By STACY GILLIAM Ennis Journal staff writer

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2008 1:52 PM CST

The Ennis Czech Musical Festival will be held from 2-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Sokol Activity Center in Ennis. Event coordinator David Slovak is no stranger to having fun. "I have been in various polka bands and performed at several dance halls since 1985 and through the years I started noticing a decline in attendance at dances and festivals," Slovak said. "So, I thought of a way to try to revive it and get the people back and attract some new faces, especially the young generation. I met with the other Czech bands in the Ennis area and they agreed to the idea of all of us getting together and putting on a big party to promote Czech music and polka dancing."

Bands and times include Ennis Czech Boys at 2 p.m., Jak Se Do at 4, Harvesters at 6, Jodie Mikula Orchestra at 8 and Czech and Then Some at 10. The cost is $5 per person, with children ages 14 and younger admitted free. Dress is casual, but Czech costumes (kroj) are welcome. Door prizes will be offered, including free chances to win tickets to Big Joe's Show. A pre-party, with free admission, also will be held from 7-11p.m. Friday, Feb 8. "The halls were not made just for dancing, but as one big gathering place for everyone to visit friends and relatives," Slovak said. "If you get there early you can enjoy the jam session along with the Sokol clubroom and bar. "We extend our appreciation to the Sokol hall for providing the facility and all those who have helped promote this cause," Slovak said. "Everyone is encouraged to come out and extend your support and appreciation for Czech music and heritage and enjoy the party. Sokol Activity Center is located at 2622 E. State Highway 34, Ennis. For more information, listen to the Sunday Morning Polka Show from 9-10:50 a.m. Sundays on KBEC 1390 or visit online at www.KBEC.com.

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Staff, Staff

Ennis Daily News 02-07-2008

It's all about polka and other Czech traditions this Saturday, so get ready to tap your feet while munching on kolache at the Ennis Czech Music Festival. All the best local bands are performing at Sokol Activity Center from 2 to 11:30 p.m.: Ennis Czech Boys, Jak Se Do, Czech & Then Some, the Jodie Mikula Orchestra and the Harvesters. Ennis is lucky to have such a large number of top-rated polka bands, all of them in demand at other cultural events around the state, such as at Round Top later this month at Big Joe's TV Polka Fest.

But when it comes to Czech heritage, no other town tops Ennis which has hosted the National Polka Festival since 1966. Apart from the popular polka bands that will entertain crowds this weekend, a new project of the Ellis County Czech Heritage Society "a youth dance troupe" will make its debut. "The Little Czechadees" will appear to demonstrate historical dances of the Czech Republic. The city's Czech community and the rest of Ennis is proud of these youngsters for their dedication to learning the steps of native dances.

The Ennis Daily News hopes to see "y'all" at Sokol Saturday "Czeching" out the fun and food of the Ennis Czech Music Fest!

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By MIKE SACKETT Ennis Journal correspondent

Published: Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:35 PM CST

Members of the Ennis community celebrated their heritage at length during the second annual Czech Music Fest on Saturday. Beginning shortly after 2 p.m., the musical entertainment got under way and the Sokol Activity Center began filling up with dancing groups, families and festival-goers. The opening band, the Ennis Czech Boys, kicked off the event with many familiar Czech songs, and the dance floor quickly filled with many polka partners, young and old alike. "We are hoping to revive a tradition. We have five Czech music bands from the Ennis area that got together to put on this festival," organizer David Slovak said. "We’re hoping to revive a tradition that once was a part of Ennis entertainment."

At one time, the four Czech dance halls in Ennis were busy with dances going on all the time. "As time has gone by, people have moved away from the dance halls and the many events that were attended by families have been replaced by other forms of entertainment," Slovak said. Last year, several bands and organizers got together to put together a first-ever festival in hopes of reviving the family tradition of Czech heritage music and dancing. "We need to carry forward the Czech traditional music and polka dance with our youth," Slovak said. "We want families to bring the kids out to share in the experience." A local youth dance group, the Ennis Czechadees, entertained the crowd with their skills and intricate footwork. Other Ennis area bands performing were Jak Se Do, Harvesters and Jodie Mikula Orchestra, with Czech & Then Some closing out the event. Several hundred people were in attendance at this year's festival, with the dance floor often filled as people enjoyed a polka or waltz with their favorite partner. "There are enough people in Ennis to fill up any one of the dance halls. We will do this again next year," Slovak said, noting next year's date is already set for Feb. 7, 2009, the Saturday following Super Bowl. The next Ennis Czech Music Festival is scheduled Feb. 7, 2009.

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It’s nice to have the Governor of Texas realizing what we in Ennis have known for quite a while –– that traditional Czech polka music is a beautiful expression of a beautiful culture. Perry’s proclamation making this month "Polka Music Month" is a great tribute to Czechoslovakians everywhere in the state but especially to those who make Ennis home. Ennis has for 42 years been a mecca of Czech culture thanks to the National Polka Festival, an event that helped put the city on the proverbial map, at least for something other than its famous bluebonnets. In Perry’s declaration he urges Texans to "explore the wonderful world of polka and to recognize its many contributions and influence to our state. Whether it is listening to polka music or signing up for a polka class, all Texans can participate in keeping the enduring legacy of being a state proud of its cultural diversity and heritage." The Ennis Daily News seconds Gov. Perry in his encouragement of the appreciation of polka, and we make a specific appeal to readers to put their kolache where their mouths are and support a big part of our local culture by attending Feb. 9’s Czech Music Festival at Sokol, featuring a trove of Ennis’ most popular polka bands

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By CANDIE BECK-ADAMS Ennis Journal Managing Editor

Published: Friday, February 16, 2007 12:52 PM CST

The Sokol Hall in Ennis was the scene of bright colors and toe tapping music this past weekend as a Czech music fest, an event that organizers hope becomes an annual occurrence, was held. David Slovak, a member of the band "Czech and Then Some", said he organized the event with the other polka bands from Ennis as a way to get people out and to celebrate the Czech heritage. "This was sort of a way for us to promote the Czech heritage and get people back out and dancing," said Slovak.

The event was set for the early February date to allow people a chance to break up the winter season and to spotlight the talent of the hometown performers. "I chose this date because deer hunting season is over as well as football," Slovak said with a laugh. The event started mid afternoon and lasted until nearly midnight with five local bands taking the stage for two hours each. "All of the bands got together and decided to do it this way because it was fair to everyone involved and it allowed each of us the opportunity to possibly entertain a different age range of the crowd," Slovak explained. The bands featured included Jak Se Do, Harvesters, The Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Czech and Then Some and The Ennis Czech Boys. The crowd was appreciative of the event and took the opportunity to visit w with friends and family as well as kick up their heels and enjoy music that is an integral part of the Czech heritage. "Our heritage is something that gets passed down through the generations in families and the diverse ages of the crowd here prove that the music is something that will continue to be a cherished tradition for us," said Slovak. A group of Polka music lovers, members of the Texas chapter of the "Polka Lovers Klub of America" traveled from Richardson to attend the event and club member Dick Brinker, explained that the music fest was something his group attends to help promote the music and the heritage.

"It's really all about the music that is what the club is for. We travel around the state and promote the heritage the music represents as we enjoy ourselves with the entertainment provided," he said. The event was a precursor to the annual Polka Fest that will be held Memorial Day weekend in Ennis.