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.

DJ Shotski invites you to explore other great community radio programs in Wisconsin. Stream these shows in March where she will be a guest on the topics of polka, vintage vinyl, and the power of community radio.

Listen to the special holiday episodes of Polka Time with DJ Shotski

On December 1, members of Olbrich Botanical Gardens got a sneak peek at the annual Holiday Express display in a party set to vintage Christmas and Wisconsin polka music.

On October 8 I played a marathon of four hours of Wisconsin polka recordings in a party in the Landmark Creamery parking lot for Paoli’s fall festival. The crisp weather and the start of the changing colors of the leaves just beg for polka music, bonfires, fire-roasted snacks, and a beer or a splash of bourbon.

Big news! Polka Time is growing… You can now hear the hour-long, all-vinyl polka show on more radio stations in Wisconsin in broadcast areas around the state or streaming on the web.

I played vintage Green County polka recordings at New Glarus’ celebration of Swiss Independence Day! The event includes Swiss traditions of music, alphorns, flag throwing, and Talerschwingen (“singing” coins in a milk bowl - it’s rad).

I had so much fun playing vintage soul records to open for The Periodicals in May, we did it again. This time, I made the night of music into a birthday party.

The anniversary party at the Malt House was a benefit for River Alliance of Wisconsin.

Opening for The Periodicals and the Sean Michael Dargan Trio was a wonderful way to have vintage Northern Soul records kick off patio season.