OLD FORGE, NY: MILESTONES AND MEMORIES / Dyngus Day Raffle/TRIVIA CONTEST
How well do fans of polka music really know their bands? This year’s 15th Anniversary of the Adirondack Polka Festival, PolkafestUSA, features a Dyngus Day Raffle/TRIVIA Contest. Winning entries with the most correct answers win two free tickets to the event. In order to enter the raffle for this popular Old Forge event, held every year on Memorial Day weekend, one must submit the answers to a Milestones and Memories quiz, via email, to Adirondack Special Events coordinator, Jim Connerty (jim@adirondackspecialevents.com).
This year’s Adirondack favorite boasts four bands well-known to dancers everywhere: Saturday's festivities include music provided by THE BOYS, from Maryland, and THE EDDIE FORMAN ORCHESTRA, from Massachusetts. Following a Polka Worship Service at noon, music on Sunday will be provided by Frank Liszka and Dave Walter (OLD SCHOOL) from Ohio, and Hank Guzevich's POLKA FAMILY, from Pennsylvania.
2012 MILESTONES AND MEMORIES DYNGUS DAY RAFFLE
a. Childhood memories for most musicians often involve the effect influential people have played in their lives. Which band member was inspired to play the accordion by watching Myron Floren on the Lawrence Welk show?
b. International influence can come from many places: which band was originally influenced by Mexican music when living in California?
c. College graduation is a milestone in most people’s lives. Which concertina player’s diploma from Penn State led to rewarding career in the mining industry?
d. Whose busia (grandmother) was known for helping this bandleader create original lyrics for his songs? Extra points if you know her name!
e. Who started playing the saxophone and clarinet at the age of 6, and by the age of 13 was playing with the Polka Dots band from Massachusetts?
f. Which band has published a CD that features a Pennsylvania COW on the cover? Extra Points if you know the name of the CD!
g. A milestone for anyone? Appearing in a major motion picture! Which creative composer wrote “The Cluck Cluck Polka,” used for chicken dancing in the wedding scene during “He Said, She Said”, starring Kevin Bacon?
h. One’s first paid gig is a milestone in most musicians’ lives. Which band member was hired, at the age of 14, to perform with a band called The Polka Cousins?
i. A milestone for many women in the music industry is dancing in their first polka group. Which Jersey girl grew up in Roselle Park, NJ and spent eleven years dancing with the Polka Dolls?
j. The day one ties the knot with one’s partner is always memorable. Which band member just celebrated his 40th anniversary (Feb. 12, 2012), enjoying a Bahama cruise with his lovely partner of forty years? Hint: His nickname is “The Legend!”
k. Which International Polka Hall of Fame-r created an arrangement called "Up In The Attic", a polka medley which paid tribute to bands past and present that impacted polka music?
l. Car accidents are often milestones in the lives of people. What band leader helped his family band recover from a major car accident, and then went on to lead the band to two popular new recordings in 2011?
Best of luck! For More Information about PolkafestUSA call Jim Connerty at 315 369 5456 or write him jim@adirondackspecialevents.com