Grumpy Old Men fest to host polka dance party with DJ Shotski
What is the best part of the movie, Grumpy Old Men? Is it the physical humor of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon duking it out on a frozen lake? Is it Burgess Meredith’s scandalous jokes? Ann-Margaret’s amazing, flaming red hair?
It’s all of these things. But mostly, it’s the polka.
I don’t remember when I saw the movie the first time. I do remember watching it when I went to graduate school in Mankato, MN to enjoy the references to the culture of winter in the upper Midwest. Hearing “Hey Baba Reba!” in the background of an ice fishing scene and seeing the everyman coziness of Slippery’s bar helped me fall deeper in love with the region. I credit this movie as one reason why I stayed in the Midwest rather than choosing coastal living.
I was thrilled to see that Wabasha, MN holds a Grumpy Old Men festival every year in honor of the movies. The February festival embraces the cold with an ice fishing tournament, an ATV parade, a church hot dish luncheon, and lots of buffalo plaid fashion. I haunted the festival’s social media accounts for a while and we eventually connected.
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.
Joining me will be Miss Shannon from the Twin Cities, an iconic dance teacher and Minnesota legend in the swing dance scene. She’ll be doing some dance instruction and it will be the first step toward my goal of getting more people on the dance floor by getting help with teaching some polka dance moves.
Polka Dance Party with DJ Shotski & Miss Shannon
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Location: The Transfer Building, 128 West 2nd Street, Wabasha Minn.
Time: 3 pm - 6 pm