- My name's Jake.

Making music with the Chardon Polka Band is my job.

You never know what's gonna happen next.

You never know who you might run into because this is "The World According to Polka."

(bass rhythmic music) (tires squealing) Let's face it, polka music probably isn't the most popular form of entertainment in the world today, but us polka people, we're everywhere.

We're a part of everything.

We are a subculture, providing rhythm and um pa pa to a society and a world that desperately needs it.

And I've got just a place to prove that to y'all today and showcase a whole bunch of fun polka music from an event called Dyngus Day.

Hey, hey.

Hey, Dutch.

- Hey, Jake.

How are ya?

- This is the place, guys.

Oh my goodness.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Dutch, our friendly neighborhood barber here in Chagrin Falls, right?

- That's it.

We're at the Mug & Brush Barbershop.

We've been here since 1959.

- You wanna hear some polka music?

- Oh, absolutely.

(razor buzzing) (drumsticks clicking) (lively polka music) ♪ Woo-hoo (lively polka music continues) ♪ We left our wives at home ♪ We left our wives at home ♪ We left our wives with five other guys ♪ ♪ Oh, we left our wives at home ♪ ♪ I hope they had a darn good time ♪ ♪ I hope they had a darn good time ♪ ♪ 'Cause we left our gals with five of our pals ♪ ♪ Oh, we we hope they had a darn good time ♪ (Jake vocalizing) (lively polka music continues) ♪ Woo-Hoo ♪ I wish I was single again ♪ My pockets may jingle again ♪ When I was single, my pockets may jingle ♪ ♪ I wish I was single again ♪ We left our wives at home ♪ We left our wives at home ♪ We left our wives with five other guys ♪ ♪ We left our wives at home (Jake vocalizing) (crowd cheering) Oh, yeah!

We made that one with special sauce.

Today's music comes to us from Cleveland's Dyngus Day celebration, an event that easily demonstrates how Polka and the people who love it remain in the zeitgeist of the city of Cleveland.

Dyngus Day is a Polish holiday celebrated the day after Easter and it might have come about to celebrate the baptism of a Polish prince.

The holiday features some interesting courtship rituals when boys and girls show affection by throwing water at one another or hitting each other with pussy willows.

And while we do celebrate Polish heritage here in Cleveland on Dyngus Day, and we love the idea of throwing water at a potential mate, this area's Dyngus Day festivities are surely a celebration of all things polka.

So Dutch, that was a song called, "We Left Our Wives at Home."

Have you ever heard that one before?

- I haven't heard that, but I have heard, "I've Got a Wife at Home," by Frankie Yankovic.

Very similar.

- Same gist, right?

- It's got good material.

- Well, you know, they're not trying to be philosophers.

They just do what they know, they simplify it.

They don't write anything deep.

It's very simple.

I want you guys to write a song for me called "Kenny's Late Again Polka" 'cause Kenny comes in late every day.

Look at Kenny down there, what's he doing down there?

Look at him, is he smiling?

Okay, yeah.

- He's a good guy.

- Yeah, Kenny's a good guy.

He was an hour late this morning, but that's okay.

We could write the "Kenny's Late Again Polka," right?

- We write about what we know.

- [Dutch] I identify with that, yeah.

- Today we're at a barbershop, listening to some polka music from Dyngus Day.

♪ Looks like we made it ♪ Look how far we've come, my baby ♪ ♪ We might've took the long way ♪ ♪ We knew we'd get there someday ♪ ♪ They said I bet they'll never make it ♪ ♪ But look at us holding on ♪ We're still together, still going strong ♪ ♪ You're the still the one ♪ You're still the one I run to ♪ ♪ The one that I belong to ♪ You're still the one I want for life ♪ ♪ You're still the one ♪ You're still the one that I love ♪ ♪ The only one I dream of ♪ You're still the one I kiss goodnight, Mitch Lawrence ♪ (lively polka music) ♪ You're still the one ♪ You're the one I run to ♪ ♪ The one that I belong to ♪ You're still the one I want for life ♪ ♪ You're still the one ♪ You're still the one that I love ♪ ♪ The only one I dream of ♪ You're still the one I kiss goodnight ♪ (crowd clapping) - [Jake] That's the one, that's the keeper.

It's one of Cleveland's biggest cultural events of the year.

Not only is there a street fair component, that's where you can typically find the Chardon Polka Band performing on stage, but festivities stretch across the whole city as local bars, venues, clubs, and even senior centers host Dyngus Day events.

Truly, you cannot turn a corner in Cleveland that day without hearing the sounds of a classic polka like this one.

(lively polka music) - Oh, yeah!

♪ Just because you think you're so pretty ♪ ♪ Just because you think you're so hot ♪ ♪ Just because you think you've got something ♪ ♪ That nobody else has got ♪ You caused me spend all my money ♪ ♪ You laughed and called me old Santa Claus ♪ ♪ Well, I'm telling you, honey, I'm through with you ♪ ♪ Just because, just because (lively polka music continues) (lively polka music continues) (lively polka music continues) - Woo-hoo, hey.

Opa.

(lively polka music continues) Hey, hey, whoo!

(lively polka music continues) ♪ Well, just because you think I'll be lonesome ♪ ♪ Just because you think I'll be blue ♪ ♪ Just because you think I'll be foolish ♪ ♪ To stay at home and wait on you ♪ ♪ You caused me to drop all my girlfriends ♪ ♪ You laughed and called me old Santa Claus ♪ ♪ Well, I'm telling you, honey, I'm through with you ♪ ♪ Just because, just because (crowd clapping) - That was the Chardon Polka Band playing an old classic, "Just Because."

But why are folks still in love with a song originally recorded over 75 years ago?

Is there something more to this music and what it seems to stir inside Clevelanders?

Why do people, Dutch, why do people, we're taking away from this fellow's haircut.

- That's all right.

It's a lousy haircut anyway.

- This guy looks good.

Why do people love poker music so much?

- Oh, man.

You know what, it's an escape, you know.

If you listen to it, and no matter what your problems are, they just go out the door.

If you go down to the Slovenia Club in Cleveland and you go down there for a fish fry, everybody's got their problems, but everybody's down there happy and dancing and having a good time.

It's feel good music, right?

No matter what, you're gonna feel great if you go down there.

- Well, we better make this guy feel great and give him a good haircut.

- Oh, yeah, I doubt that, yeah, all right.

(lively polka music) (flute music featured) ♪ She's a good girl, she loves her mama ♪ ♪ Loves Jesus and America too ♪ She's a good girl, she's crazy about Elvis ♪ ♪ Loves horses and her boyfriend too ♪ (lively polka music continues) ♪ It's a long day living in Reseda ♪ ♪ There's a freeway running through the yard ♪ ♪ I'm a bad boy 'cause I don't even miss her ♪ ♪ I'm a bad boy for breaking her heart ♪ ♪ And I'm free ♪ Free fallin' ♪ Yeah, I'm free ♪ Free fallin' ♪ All the vampires walking through the valley ♪ ♪ Move west down Ventura Boulevard ♪ ♪ And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows ♪ ♪ The good girls, well, they're home with broken hearts ♪ ♪ And I'm free ♪ I'm free fallin' ♪ Yeah, I'm free ♪ Free fallin' - There, Mitch.

(lively flute music featured) (lively polka music continues) ♪ I wanna glide down over Mulholland ♪ ♪ I wanna write her name up in the sky ♪ ♪ I'm gonna free fall out into nothing ♪ ♪ Wanna leave this world for a while ♪ ♪ And I'm free ♪ Free fallin' ♪ Yeah, I'm free ♪ Free fallin' (crowd clapping) - Woo!

Did anyone else see this guy dressed like a sausage?

Do you think he dresses like that to go to the bank or the supermarket?

Maybe he does, but take away the festive apparel and he could just as easily be your neighbor or your accountant, because let's face it, not all polka heroes are dressed like sausages.

(dramatic music) And now I wanna introduce you to someone.

His name is Justin Gorski.

If you met him on the street, he looks like just a normal guy, nothing to do with polka.

In fact, you're a very successful businessman.

- At times.

- You run Cleveland Vegan.

- Cleveland Vegan, yes.

- [Jake] It's the number one vegan catering company in the area, right?

- [Justin] Bakery, catering, cafe, the whole deal.

- [Jake] And is it just you, you run the whole show?

- Absolutely not.

My wife... (laughing) My wife, Laura, praise the Lord, she basically does everything.

I go in the back and I cook.

- I love it, and not only are you a famous vegan caterer, you're also a classically-trained concert pianist, right?

- That's right.

- And you traveled all over the world doing that.

- [Justin] I started when I was five.

Did all sorts of stuff.

Played in all sorts of bands.

Yeah, I went to college and then after that, an Irish traditional music competition in Ireland, went there, and then I went over to Europe for a little bit and played there too, and just have played in bands my whole life, like you.

- Yeah.

- Pretty good, right?

- Now, on top of these credentials, vegan catering, concert pianist, you also have a polka alter ego.

Can we get this guy up on screen.

(Justin laughing) The beard, everything.

All right, tell me- - So I don't have to wear that right now, it's just a suit- - [Jake] We just saw this annoying character, funny hat, all this stuff.

Tell me- - Could do a side by side.

- All right, so who was that we just saw?

- That was DJ Kishka.

I have no idea where he came from.

(both laughing) I don't know that guy.

- DJ Kishka, one of the- - Hold on, I gotta drink some beer after I see that.

Yes, all right.

- DJ Kishka is an icon of polka.

Of modern day polka, DJ Kishka is an icon, and I wanna know, how did he get that way?

Where did DJ Kishka come from?

The people wanna know.

- Yeah, they do.

So at the Happy Dog, I don't know how many years ago now.

- It's a bar in Cleveland.

- Yes.

One of the best bars in Cleveland.

At the time, they were doing a polka happy hour, and I'm Polish and I saw it in the paper, and I'm like, "This is the greatest thing ever."

So I went there and nothing, the band didn't come.

There was nobody there or whatever.

So I'm a musician, I have an accordion, I have polka records.

- Yeah.

- I'm just gonna go get 'em.

- So you went home and got the accordions, got the record.

- [Justin] And just started playing, just DJing.

And I'm like, I gotta fit in too, right?

So I went and I bought a fedora.

- So now you're this other person.

You're this larger than life folk hero, fake beard, funny hat, suspenders, and you're surrounded by people singing along with these tunes.

- Well, not at first.

It took a while.

- Okay, but I mean, you built this cult following for DJ Kishka.

I mean, it's insanity, really.

I mean, weren't you named the number one DJ in Cleveland?

- Yes, it just hit people.

I think the younger kids thought it was like funny, like a goof.

- Yeah.

- I just loved the music.

I thought it was great.

I say I get to act like my dad and get paid for it, basically.

- Yeah.

- My dad would sit around and drink booze, listen to polka albums and sing along and make fun of the family.

(laughing) - Serious question.

Serious question.

- Yeah.

- Do you think we could get DJ Kishka to introduce our next song?

- Hmm.

How much you got?

How much you got in your wallet?

(Jake laughing) (audience clapping) (dramatic music) - Hey, now we got the Chardon Polka Band live from Dyngus Day doing the "Free Beer Polka!"

(DJ Kishka laughing) Whoo!

- Hey, we got this beer.

Hey, hey, whoo!

♪ We went to a show just the other day ♪ ♪ But they didn't have any money ♪ ♪ So I said, we won't play ♪ Then they said something to catch our ears ♪ ♪ If you play out some polka, we'll give you some beer ♪ ♪ If you play out some polka, we'll give you some beer ♪ (lively polka music) ♪ We don't care if it's Schlitz, pale ale or old style ♪ ♪ You gave us some beer and we'll play for a while ♪ ♪ If we start to sound sloppy, don't get upset ♪ ♪ With free beer and polka you take what you get ♪ ♪ With free beer and polka you take what you get ♪ Here we go.

(lively polka music continues) ♪ Now if you wanna hear polka, then this is what you do ♪ ♪ You don't need no money, you just gotta give us some brew ♪ That's all, folks.

♪ If you can't pay, then you will hear ♪ ♪ We'll play you some polka, just give us some beer ♪ ♪ We'll play you some polka, just give us some beer ♪ (lively polka music continues) ♪ We don't care if it's Schlitz, pale ale or old style ♪ ♪ You give us some beer, we play for a while ♪ ♪ If we start to sound sloppy, don't get upset ♪ ♪ With free beer and polka you take what you get ♪ ♪ With free beer and polka you take what you get ♪ ♪ With free beer and polka you take what you get ♪ (crowd clapping) That's the "Free Beer Polka."

So Justin DJ.

- Yes.

- We just heard the "Free Beer Polka" from the Chardon Polka Band.

- Who doesn't love free beer?

- And it was being played at Dyngus Day, an event you are intimately familiar with.

- Yeah.

- Tell me about Dyngus Day, man.

- My gosh.

Well, it's like, I mean, it's like the Mardi Gras.

This is the party after you fasted for 40 days.

And we do it in Cleveland.

We've been doing it for 15 years now or something like that.

- Something like that.

- And you were there at the beginning playing- - The beginning.

Let me tell you about the beginning Dyngus Day.

You called me, and I'm pretty sure it was $300 to play for six hours at three different venues.

- That sounds about right, yes.

- [Jake] We had to go to three different venues in what you labeled the Polish Triangle.

- The Polish Triangle, yes.

- And it was a Monday, and I'd never heard of anything called Dyngus Day, this Polish holiday.

So I said, "Yeah, we ain't doing anything on Monday.

We'll show up and play."

It wasn't until the Sunday before, people started asking me about Dyngus Day that I was like, "Wait, this thing's really gonna hit."

- It could be something, yeah.

- This is gonna be the party of a century, and it was, right?

That was Dyngus Day number one, and it's only grown since then.

- [Justin] Yeah, it's wild now, right?

- [Jake] Now, how many people come out to Dyngus Day, do you know?

- I don't know, 30, 40, 50,000 people or something.

I remember passing out posters for the first couple, and I'd go into places in the neighborhood like, "Could you please hang this up?"

And they’re like, “No, what is this?” - No.

- And then as the years passed, I'd go to the same place, they're like, "Do you have extra posters?"

- Can you sign it?

- Yeah.

It was kind of a nice feeling, you know, that the community really kind of embraced the event.

- Oh, yeah.

- It was always a grassroots thing.

We did our own parade for a while and it was just us having fun and listening to playing polka music.

- We're talking about one of the biggest festivities in the city, and it's polka.

- Yes!

Our dreams are coming true.

Awesome.

- It was brought here in part by a guy wears a fake beard and silly hat.

- Yeah.

Yeah, isn't that wild?

It's just kind of in your blood and it's just a part of your life and you don't even realize it.

- It's just part of our DNA.

- Just walking down the street singing the, you know, who stole the key string, you know, and it's normal.

- Somehow, this is all normal.

Well, Justin.

- Yes, sir.

- You wanna play a song?

- Always, yeah, that'd be great.

- Let's do it.

- All right.

(lively polka music) ♪ I'm packing up my bag I’ll soon be leaving ♪ ♪ I'm going to pull the town ♪ Hey, it was there I met a girl one evening ♪ ♪ Now I'm Ohio-bound ♪ Wedding bells will ring out in Cleveland ♪ ♪ That's the place where I intend to settle down ♪ ♪ And listen to the rhythm of the polka ♪ ♪ In Cleveland, the polka town (lively polka music continues) ♪ Wedding bells will ring out in Cleveland ♪ ♪ Ha ha ha ♪ The place where I intend to settle down ♪ ♪ And listen to the rhythm of a polka ♪ ♪ In Cleveland, the polka town ♪ In Cleveland, the polka town ♪ In Cleveland, the polka town - Ha ha ha.

- Whoo!

- Oh!

I'm getting in a trash can.

- [Jake] He's getting in a trash can, folks.

- Let's go to Cleveland!

(Justin and Jake crashing) - So what have we learned today?

We learned anything today, Dutch?

- I learned that DJ Kishka can't stand in a garbage can without falling over.

- That's right.

Well, I learned there's a whole community of polka-loving folks out there.

Some of us you can see coming a mile away.

There's other folks though, they blend in and they walk among ya.

You know, could be cutting your hair, or bringing an accordion down to the local bar.

And when they've got an occasion to come together, like Dyngus Day, polka people come out in droves.

There's just something about polka music that draws us in and won't let go.

As the whole globe spins around, there's a whole bunch of polka-loving creatures hanging onto it and spinning around with it.

And hopefully we're making life a little bit more fun for everybody, because this is "The World According to Polka."

♪ There's a red moon rising on the Cuyahoga River ♪ ♪ Rolling down in Cleveland to the lake ♪ ♪ There's a red moon rising on the Cuyahoga River ♪ ♪ Rolling down to Cleveland to the lake ♪ ♪ Cleveland, city of lights, city of magic ♪ ♪ Cleveland, city of lights, you're calling me ♪ ♪ Cleveland, even now I can remember ♪ ♪ 'Cause the Cuyahoga River ♪ Keeps smoking through my dreams ♪ ♪ So burn on, big river, burn on ♪ - Oh, yeah!

♪ Burn on, big river, said burn on ♪ ♪ Burn on, big river, said burn on ♪ ♪ Burn on, big river, said burn on ♪ (lively polka music ending) - Whoo!

- Whoo!

(patrons clapping)