Getting a chance to play at this festival is going to be a delight. I’m going to share an all-vinyl and all-Minnesota set, so get ready for lots of Elmer Scheid, Les Schuft and Six Fat Dutchmen.

On Saturday, January 11, I played easy listening for around 70 jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts. I mc’d the event and announced rules, door prizes and celebrated winners.

Another dream gig happened this month. On December 1, I got to play polka records in the Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee for Krampusnacht.

On November 23, I was a guest DJ at the halftime of Madison Roller Derby’s bout. A few brave souls joined roller derby skaters on the floor to “roll out the barrel” and dance to the “Pennsylvania Polka.” 

The Wedge invited me to play an Oktoberfest-themed 5th quarter shindig after the Wisconsin Badgers beat Purdue on the gridiron.

The Prost! MSN street party returned on September 28 to do it up the Oktoberfest way. Madison’s best German style tavern blocked off a half block on Hancock Street to create a biergarten for a day.

Into the Music podcast guests Frank Anderson, DJ Shotski and Ike Arumba with host Rob Marnocha had a lively talk about the past and the future of polka music in Wisconsin.

Host Thea Wood welcomes DJ Shotski to Herizon Music podcast.

Prost!, Madison’s best Munich-style bierhall, threw a block party on June 22 to welcome summer with polka music and German food and drinks.

WVMO hosts of Polka Time with DJ Shotski, The Roadhouse (Knut) and Old Time Echoes (Calvin and Mike) played records at a vinyl takeover at the McFarland House Cafe on April 16.

Some of my favorite places to play old polka records are in my friends’ backyards. I helped my friend Greg kick off the summer season with a Maifest party.

On May 4, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association gave radio and television stations awards of excellence. WVMO-FM received the Large Market Radio Station of the Year award and top recognition for our 48-hour Vinylthon event, and I was pleased to receive the top Online Personality award.

The law that made polka Wisconsin’s official state dance was enrolled on April 21, 1994. It was signed by Governor Tommy Thompson in Pulaski on April 29, 1994. In honor of the importance of the polka to Wisconsin’s history and traditions, Governor Tony Evers signed a proclamation recognizing April 21 as Wisconsin Polka Day.

On April 18, Wisconsin Historical Society, DJ Shotski and DB Polka Express celebrated three decades of Wisconsin’s State Dance at downtown Madison’s History Maker Space during a one-of-a-kind polka party!

On Saturday, April 13, The Periodicals had me back to spin vintage soul records at their party at Full Mile Beer Co. & Kitchen in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. I got to play some new (to me) tunes and enjoy one of the arguably best bands in Madison. 

Listen to segments of DJ Shotski’s interview with Governor Tommy Thompson about his recollections of signing the law

that made the polka Wisconsin’s state dance in 1994.

On April 18, celebrate the 30th anniversary of Wisconsin's state dance with a polka party brought to you by the Wisconsin Historical Society, DJ Shotski, and DB Polka Express.

In a Q&A I did with Robin Cangie on her Creative Dialogues blog, I talked about overcoming imposter syndrome, getting through creative blocks (hint: it involves hiking in Wisconsin’s woods), and how the key to happiness is finding your flow.

DJ Shotski is a guest on the Abandoned Albums podcast and discusses why she loves polka. She shares a polka playlist and explains different polka styles and eras.