LA GRANGE — The Fayette County Country Music Club will host a Polka Show Monday, Jan. 16 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Grange. The show starts at 7 p.m. and the doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $8.
Zach Novak, of La Grange, has lived with the challenges of Autism, Tourette’s Syndrome and a seizure disorder for all of his 27 years. Novak discovered his love of music. taught himself keyboards and piano accordion by ear, resulting in his unique style.
In 2021, his dream came true when he recorded his first CD with the help of Eugene, Brian Klekar and Klek Studio Productions. You can always expect to have a good time when you hear Zach Novak play!
Gene Hackemack was born in Bur- ton, fifth generation Texan, but grew up speaking German. A Vietnam Veteran who served two years with Imperial Iranian Army Aviation Search & Rescue, built and owned “Hackemack's Hofbräuhaus” near New Ulm with his late wife Barbara – had live Polka Music weekends.
He and singing partner Jason Keepers received a plaque from NASA in July 1995 for “1st Polka in Space” for waking up the Space Shuttle Crew with the “Beer Barrel Polka.” Currently, Gene and his spouse Nancy moved back to the Burton area but continue to play with the “Seven Dutchmen” band from New Braunfels, performing for the prime minister and president of the Czech Republic and playing a duet on the accordion with Larry the Cable Guy.
Alvin Minarcik and Donnie Wavra – Alvin Minarcik is from the Fayetteville area. At the age of 13, he started taking piano lessons, and at the age of 15, he played the guitar and the saxophone in a high school band. As a senior in high school, he played guitar with the Universal Sounds, a rock band out of the Industry- Bellville area.
In 1970, he played with the Variations, a family country band from the Willow Springs area. In the early 90s, he played accordion and polka and waltz music with Gil Baca and Vernon Drozd.
Joining Minarcik is Donnie Wavra from the Columbus area. At the age of 13, he started playing with the Ellinger Combo. Later, he played with the Lee Roy Matocha Orchestra and the Harold Ilse Orchestra. After the death of Ilse, he took over the band, named it the Donnie Wavra Orchestra, and continued playing until 2016.
Tim and Alicia Kulhanek live in the Lone Oak area. They are members of The Lost Cause Band, which was formed in 2014. The Lost Cause Band prides itself on being a variety band, which plays classic country, polkas and waltzes, classic rock and more.
Join with us on Monday, Jan. 16, for another great line of entertainment.
