Despite the current practice of social distancing the Chardon Polka Band continues to keep the good times rolling.
The local group that provides upbeat polka music and entertaining shows at festivals, senior centers, schools and more has found ways to reach their many fans as well as engage newcomers during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Jake Kouwe, an accordion player who initiated the ensemble in 2003 while attending Chardon High School, along with bandmates Mike Franklin (banjo and guitar), Mitch Lawrence (saxophone) and Bob Young (drums), have been pumping out the polka jams on broadcasts via the Internet.
“It’s kinda just making whatever we can work at this point,” Kouwe said.
Programs including Zoom, Skype, Google Meets and Facebook all are used to interact with residents of nursing homes and senior centers as well as children in elementary schools. A live stream for music lovers seeking toe tapping tunes appears on their Facebook page at 6:30 p.m., Saturdays.
Because band members are isolated from each other individual input is coordinated using technology.
Four sound and video performances created separately are edited then patched together to create a full band performance.
Fortunately the system has been working, but not without a few glitches.
“There are so many challenges,” Kouwe said. “Normally, in live performances I just haul my accordion in. With digital we have to test the connection then we might lose the connection…there are all these hurdles.”
An inability to play in person for the annual Dyngus Day event in Cleveland wasn’t going to stop the crew from boosting the strong Polish spirit annually celebrated there. Putting songs together for the online concert took a vast amount of time compared to playing in person but they managed to get it done.
Between virtual full band gigs Kouwe sometimes performs alone, albeit in a very unusual manner.
At a senior facility in Youngstown his smiling visage was seen and melodious voice heard emanating from a computer screen wheeled on a cart down a hallway for residents, spaced apart for safety, to enjoy.
“When I was wheeled around they were blowing me kisses, dancing, laughing. That had a huge effect on me,” said Kouwe, adding that their happiness increased his own.
A performance for an elementary school in North Carolina resulted in kids playfully waving stuffed animals at the accordion player while delighting in the show.
Some fans have conveyed their appreciation for the band’s virtual efforts through letters.
One woman described her feelings by writing “You are a breath of fresh air in these monotonous days…I find myself laughing out loud… it’s good medicine…can’t wait to set you outside at a performance or festival again.”
Kouwe said that he’s grateful for the good weather so that the band can practice together outdoors in safe conditions. He’s also waiting on word regarding some scheduled summer events where the possibility of performing live still exists.
“There are so many unknowns with the virus,” he said.
Despite the work required to produce performances virtually, the enthusiasm and support showed by the band’s online followers and the ability to reach new locales has persuaded them to perhaps add the new avenue to their repertoire.
“We’re going to try to make an effort to engage people that way,” Kouwe said. “It would take some extra effort, but we could technically. These same people from Nebraska, Florida, Texas who tune in every week would be able to join in.”
For more information on the Chardon Polka Band and to watch their Saturday live-streamed performances, visit www.facebook.com/thechardonpolkaband/.
