LG’s Polka Club Hosts Mladá Muzika Sardice & Band from Czech Republic

Board members of The Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum, located at 275 W. Fairgrounds Rd., La Grange, and located within the Czech Village, hosted a dinner for the Mladá Muzika Sardice and Dulcimer Band from Kyjov, Czech Republic on Friday, Sept. 26 (Mlada” means youth.) The dinner included band members, their sponsors; and staff, board members and volunteers of TCHCC.

Upon arriving, band members and their chaperones were led through the Czech Village, dinner was served at 5:30 p.m. and the concert began at 7 p.m. in the Sanford Schmid Amphitheater. Their concert provided a wonderful evening of traditional Czech music, singing and dance at 7 p.m. The event was perfect for a date night and a fun evening with friends. It was an unforgettable experience.

After dinner two of the young band members Marian Mdnár and Šimon Riedl, said, “The food was excellent, it reminded us of how we miss our Czech food back home.” Each band guest and their sponsors received a Welcome Bag of Museum memorabilia and some yummy snacks for the next journey.

The hosted event was a colaborative effort between the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum (PLCTM) and the Texas Czech Heritage Cultural Center TCHCC).

The band was on a USA tour and was sponsored by the Texas Folklife Institute. The 45+ young band members consisted of various groups of musicians, dancers and singers. All of the youth definitely put on a performance to remember. Members of the audience happily tapped their feet, clapped their hands, sang and even danced to many of the band’s Czech songs.

When asked what it’s like transporting 60+ people across Texas; Bus Driver, Jacoby Reynolds said “I am soaking in all of this Czech Culture, not being from the Czezch Republic, I am engulfing myself in the education, history and culture of their region. I am based in Austin; therefore, I am getting my four daughters to Houston tomorrow to witness this awesome group of kids who are the same age as my girls.”

La Grange was one of several touring stops through Southeast Texas ending in Houston. PLCTM also partnered with the Czech Center Museum Houston located at 4920 San Jacinto St., in Houston for their Saturday performance of the band and chaperones prior to their departure for The Czech Republic on Sunday.

Sardice is a village with a long tradition dating back to first writings in 1286. The village is located in the South Moravian Region, in the Hodonin District not far from Kyjov, in a picturesque region of Moravian Slovakia. The region is known for singing, wine, folklore and good people. Adding to the excitement was Madelyn Karstedt, recently crowned the United States Czech Slovak Queen. She welcomed guests and opened the concert. Madelyn’s commitment to preserving and celebrating Czech and Slovak traditions inspires everyone in the region and far beyond, all making this occasion memorable for attendees and families.

The Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum is located at 275 W. Fairgrounds Rd., La Grange, with a mission to preserve, promote and educate polka music and dance. For more information go to plctm. com.