"Waltz to Westphalia" Premiere and Polka Bash in downtown Bremond, TX

"Waltz to Westphalia" Premiere & Polka Bash!!  SATURDAY, NOV 5 at Texas Slav & German Warehouse in downtown Bremond, TX!!!

The documentary, "Waltz to Westphalia" tells the fascinating story of a Polish folk song’s transformation into an American country fiddle classic. The film captures a wide array of people, places and artifacts significant in the tune’s regional and national development. Because the tune evolved in the twentieth century, some of the primary sources are still living. They shared their memories with Joe Weed. In 2006, he began traveling around the United States to speak with them, their children, and their grandchildren. Many of those interviewed are from Waco, Westphalia, Houston and Bremond.

The melody of the Westphalia Waltz derives from a Polish song known by several titles — “Pytala Sie Pani,” “Wszystkie Rybki,” and others. Citing references from Poland’s National Library in Warsaw and the Polish Museum of America in Chicago, the film describes the song in Poland and the United States. It includes interviews with descendants of the Polish immigrants who worked the mills in Massachusetts and the coal mines in the Alleghenies.

The grandson of the lead trumpet player in RCA Victor’s 1930 recording recalls his grandfather’s musical and professional life. The son of a Pennsylvania coal miner relates his father’s insistence that he learn to play music. As a musician, he had the opportunity to escape the hard life of a miner. Through old photos, music, and recordings, the film provides a glimpse of the early Polish–American culture that embraced this delightful folk song.

With first-hand accounts from Polish-Texans, the film explains how the piece made its way to Bremond, the largest Polish settlement in Texas during the Great Depression. Dance musicians playing in nearby Waco and Westphalia also picked up the tune. Fiddler Cotton Collins, who played with Waco’s “Lone Star Playboys,” re-interpreted the piece as a Texas fiddle waltz. He recorded it for a small Dallas record company, and called it the “Westphalia Waltz.” Collins’ friend Hank Thompson brought the tune to a national audience with his release on Capitol Records in 1955.

- produced by Joe Weed
-courtesy of www.JoeWeed.com and www.Polish-Texas.com

Premiere and Polka Bash in downtown Bremond, TX at Texas Slav & German Warehouse.  www.TexasSlavGerman.com.   See events link, find us on facebook and twitter.

LIVE POLKA MUSIC by Brian Marshall and other great Polish musicians prior to movie screening!!!
• INCREDIBLE FOOD WITH POLISH FLARE available for purchase!! Catered by THE GREEN MOLLY out of Austin!!! www.thegreenmolly.com
• GREAT DISCOUNTS on Polish, Czech & German gifts & collectibles including Polish pottery, Cuckoo Clocks and T-shirts!!! GET YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE EARLY THIS YEAR!!

BRING YOUR OWN PIWO, POLISH VODKA or wine of choice!!! ALL SETUPS AND OTHER BEVERAGES WILL BE AVAILABLE for purchase!
DOMINOES AND PLAYING CARDS will be available, or bring your own game of choice. Hang out, play some bones, kick back and listen to some great music as we gear up for the finale...the "Waltz to Westphalia" premiere!!

Much fun to be had all day long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good family fun beginning at 12:00 noon
Movie time starts at 7:30pm. Run time 1 hour.
Admission to movie is free!!
Live music times prior to screening TBA.

Brave Combo live at WestFest 2011 TX- Polka for future Generations

I had first heard of Brave Combo 10 years ago thanks to a great friend of mine who was a huge fan. She hounded me time and time again that I had to go check them out.  I was a wannabe full-time musician chasing my own rockstar dream so I never bothered to make the time.  As a result, sad to say, I have never seen Brave Combo and only recently heard their music. They are truly a party polka band for the next generation.  I didn't understand this until I finally sampled their music on itunes.  Now my only regret is that I hadn't listened to my trusted friend years ago.  They came through Houston fairly frequently so I had no excuse.  Hindsight is always 20/20.  The upside is that they are one of those rare bands who can stick it out together over the long haul, and after at least 10 years they are still together.  So many bands are simply a flash in the pan.  Brave Combo is not that kind of band.  They have obviously weathered the storms that every band goes through.  Being a musician myself, I know these types of trials and tribulations firsthand. 

Polka band you say?  Yes, polka band.  But not exactly like those polka weddings you went to as a kid.  No sir.  Brave Combo stamps their polkas with their own style to appeal to a younger generation.  They also cross several ethnic groups offering an interesting blend of Czech, Latin and Cajun flare.  Listening to their CD simply makes me smile.  All I could think of when I finally heard their music was that they must be a trip to see and hear live.  "Party band" is so cliche'.   But Brave Combo nails it.  They are a polka party band for the next generation.  It will take more bands like Brave Combo to carry on the traditions and heritage that is dwindling as generations come and go.  And now, finally, for the first time in 10 years, I will get the opportunity to see them live at the famous WestFest 2011 in the town of West, TX.   Hope to see you there.  I'll be the one drinking pivo and having a blast of a good time...oh wait, that will describe everyone there.  :)

Denise Gouge (still a wannabe rockstar), supporter of Texas heritage and owner of
Texas Slav & German Warehouse

Poland's heritage should be protected, says UNESCO - Thenews.pl :: News from Poland

Poland's heritage should be protected, says UNESCO - Thenews.pl :: News from Poland

Active WWII bomb found near mall in Liberec, Czech Republic

Active WWII bomb found - News - The Prague Post

Giving beer a home in the Rhineland

Giving beer a home in the Rhineland - The Local

Lonely Star State- Texas Germans Dwindling

http://www.thelocal.de/lifestyle/20110704-36063.html

Poland: WWII death toll and current population

Fact: The population of Poland is around 38 million. The World War II toll on Poland was a staggering 6 million-including 3 million Jews slaughtered in the Nazi death camps. At present, more than 98 percent of the people are Poles, with small groups of Ukrainians, Belorussians, Germans, Slovaks and Lithuanians.- courtesy of Polandforvisitors.com

Bruderszaft...a Polish toasting tradition

Did you know? In Poland, "Bruderszaft" is a fraternal toast, a sealing of comradeship and declining it can be seen as an insult. Relationships become more cordial after this ceremony and people graduate to using first name of each other. ...Bruderszaft is two people raising toasts simultaneously with arms interlocked and downing their drinks together. Then the ceremonial kisses on the cheek follow. Would love to hear if any of you have any memories of your grandparents or great grandparents doing this. Please post your stories.

What is "Slavic" or to be a "Slav" anyway?

The Slavic (Slav) people are a race that descends from Indo-European roots that once shared a common language as well as area of descent. Today, the majority of Slavic people or Slavs live in Central and Eastern Europe. Slavic populations are particularly concentrated in Russia, the Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia, the Republic of Macedonia, and Montenegro.

Today their language roots and geographical locations are divided into West, East and South Slavic, further dividing the Slavic people. Those from a particular group tend to speak the language accorded to that area. Of course, with modern immigration, there are many of Slavic descent living throughout the world, so it becomes more difficult to specifically define a “Slavic” people, according to language.

The Slavic people are thought to possibly have inhabited parts of Germany at one point, before migrating eastward, southward and northward in the sixth century. The first Slavic state was recognized in the seventh century and was ruled by Samo, who was not in fact, of Slavic origin. However, he supported the Slavic people in fighting oppression by the Avar rulers. This state was located in Moravia, a region now within the borders of the Czech Republic.