Thursday, May 30, 2013

Bay Area Accordion Players

John Gora in Phoenix, Jan. 2013
The John Gora Band performed at the Pulaski Club in Phoenix the weekend of January 26th.  John, who calls Ontario, Canada home, is a dynamo. John worked out in the audience most of the time, engaging everyone, transitioning from song to song non-stop. I don't know how the band picked up on the transitions, but they did. The music moved from Polish polkas and obereks to German to Slovenian to American rock-n-roll - all of which delighted the crowd.

The band is phenomenal. They were amped up even more than usual with the addition of Tommy Wanderlich to the 6-piece group. I'm not sure who had more fun - the band, John, or the audience - everyone was rocking! Dick Kuciemba, National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame member, was in the audience and joined the band for a "Clarinet Polka" duet with Tommy Wanderlich. Wow - we're talking hot! Another audience member joined John for an Elvis bakeoff – both did fantastic impersonations complete with leg & hip shaking – uh huh.
The food at the Pulaski is always worth reporting. On Saturday we had Golumpki (delicious) and on Sunday they served pork with cut pierogi (yummy) and a cucumber-bean combo with yogurt dressing (love it!).

John Gora in Phoenix, Jan. 2013
And here’s more stuff