Contact: Madeline Myers, Public Relations and Communications Specialist
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Season 4 of award-winning local show ‘The World According to Polka’ to premiere on PBS Western Reserve
New five-episode season premieres Friday, Oct. 9, at 8:30 p.m.
NORTHEAST OHIO — Sept. 28, 2026 — In a new season of “The World According to Polka,” the Chardon Polka Band brings the best of polka to the screen with more wacky adventures, stellar guest performers and nonstop antics that prove polka is still relevant... or, as they might suggest, “delightfully irrelevant.”
The five-episode season kicks off on PBS Western Reserve on Friday, Oct. 9, at 8:30 p.m. with an eclectic spread of weekly episodes that promise earworming polka tunes and informational excursions that highlight the still-lively culture surrounding a genre that hit its peak in the 1950s with help from stars like Lawrence Welk.
Host Jake Kouwe believes polka’s staying power comes from its value as a cultural touchstone for Americans whose European ancestors brought the genre across the Atlantic generations ago.
“We’re always excited to introduce folks to a new event, subculture or aspect of our community they might not have experienced before,” said Kouwe. “In Season 4, that means we’re doing an episode about lullabies, visiting butcher shops, and even talking to a 96-year-old accordionist about her experiences in Nazi Germany.”
Episodes are:
- “Mean Green Polka Machine” — A sustainability-themed episode turns trash into musical treasure.
- “Accordion Museum” — Accordions take the spotlight.
- “Who Stole the Kishka?” — Jake and the gang investigate the unsolved crime detailed in the song “Who Stole the Kishka?”
- “Slovenefest” — A weekend trip to Slovenefest in Pennsylvania showcases the region’s love for polka.
- “Polka Lullabies” — The band celebrates a genre most people enjoy as infants: lullabies.
“The World According to Polka” is the recipient of two Public Media Awards and two regional Emmys. Past seasons have been syndicated through the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). The series is publicly funded thanks to the generosity of PBS Western Reserve’s supporters across the region.
New episodes will be available to watch on demand on YouTube and the free PBS App following their broadcast premiere. More information, including additional air dates, is available at PBSWesternReserve.org/polka.
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About PBS Western Reserve
PBS Western Reserve is a community organization that empowers Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania through the impact of accessible public media and educational services to foster connection and lifelong learning. The public media organization is made up of two separately licensed public television stations (WNEO and WEAO) and an Educational Services division.
In September 2026, the PBS Western Reserve Board of Directors approved an agreement to merge with Ideastream Public Media. Both organizations are working through a closing period, which includes a license transfer filing with the FCC and a merger filing with the State of Ohio. The full transition will continue into 2027.
About the Chardon Polka Band
The Chardon Polka Band, a modern polka group from Northeast Ohio, is as dynamic as it is rooted in tradition. Blending age-old polka rhythms with an eclectic vibe, this ensemble has served up its own brand of polka for over 20 years. Their energy and passion for polka has made them ambassadors for the genre, appearing on CBS This Morning (CBS), Here & Now (NPR), NFL Thursday Night (FOX), Trip Flip (The Travel Channel), First Take (ESPN).
