More than a dozen Polish halls across Grand Rapids will fire up dance floors, delectable food, beverages and more this weekend, celebrating the 52nd year of Pulaski Days.
Polka Party: Young and old will celebrate during Pulaski Days this week. (Photo/Local Spins)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PULASKI DAYS SCHEDULE
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
For more than a half-century, Grand Rapids’ Polish community has celebrated its heritage — commemorating Revolutionary War hero Gen. Casimir Pulaski, a Polish immigrant — by sharing its music, food and more at halls and social clubs across the city.
And through all of those Pulaski Days, musician Gerry Kaminski has performed favorite polkas for adoring fans, starting as a young lad and continuing to the present day, inspiring audiences to kick up their heels and otherwise embrace the trumpeter and his bandmates’ award-winning display.
Polka Legends: Gerry Kaminski, at right, with bassist Dave “Nigel” Kurdziel.
This weekend, on the 52nd anniversary of Pulaski Days, Gerry Kaminski’s Polka Network will be back on stage, kicking things off at Fifth Street Hall at 6 p.m. today (Thursday), followed by two performances at the same hall on Friday and Saturday, providing the music for a Sunday polka mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and finally, closing things out on Sunday afternoon at St. Ladislaus Aid Society (aka, Laddies).
Kaminski likes to say that his band’s polka approach “rocks your socks off,” with band members treasuring the on-stage camaraderie and musical friendships that have kept the group performing year after year.
Of course, Kaminski and his cohorts’ performances are just a small part of the weekend festivities, with many revelers hopping from hall to hall to catch the musical action and tantalizing tastes. And an 11 a.m. Saturday parade on the city’s West Side will further “help celebrate Grand Rapids’ Polish pride.”
More than 30 bands — from polka purveyors to rock ‘n’ roll outfits — will rev up stages at more than a dozen halls Thursday-Sunday. View the full schedule below and get more details online here.
PULASKI DAYS 2024: THE SCHEDULE
Copyright 2024, Spins on Music LLC
