hank haller

Haller earned a master's degree in aerospace engineering from Case Western Reserve University, worked at NASA for 20 years, and another 15 for the U.S. Department of Defense... but never mind that.

What matters to Oktoberfest-Goers is Hank Haller's prolific career as a recording artist. To his credit, he has 62 albums and three videos, with an estimated one-quarter of a million albums sold.

While a leading proponent of German-style polkas, Haller is also a big fan of Cleveland-style polkas.

His parents, Henry and Katherine, emigrated to Cleveland from a German settlement in the former Yugoslavia, seven decades ago. At the age of eight, Haller started playing the piano accordion, but swtiched to clarinet after his teacher expressed doubts as to his talent. At age 16, he picked up the accordion again and joined his uncle Jake Haller's band. Within 5 years, Hank became the leader, and the Hank Haller band was just beginning a run that would last for 48 years and counting.

Haller started playing on a regular basis for his friend Steve Bencic, at the Sachsenheim Club, in 1958. A few years later, Bencic opened the "Hofbrau Haus" restaurant in Cleveland, and named Haller the house band. When Bencic first introduced "Oktoberfest" to United States audiences, Haller was thre. In the intervening years, the numerous Oktoberfest celebrations held each fall created a showcase for Haller and his band, who play over 110 dates per year.

In 1987 Haller's album, "Thank You Dear and Give Her Roses" was nominated for a Grammy.

For 30 years he was joined on stage by his wife Maryanne, who sang with the Haller Ensemble. Haller sings on many of his recordings,as well as featured vocalists Ray Young and Ken Umeck.

During the 27 years in which Polka Varieties' was on air in Cleveland, the Haller Band made over 200 appeaances.. He also found time to host a German radio show.

Haller has expanded his repertoire to includein Bohemian, Slovak, and Austrian polkas.

die schlauberger

alex meixner

Website: alexmeixner.com

Alex Meixner’s performing career began at age 6 with his two sisters and father in an ethnic folk ensemble. From these early experiences through headline appearances at music festivals throughout the US; concert performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, Sandy Duncan and his own jazz and ethnic ensembles; as well as over 50 recordings, Meixner has developed a unique musical mix that appeals to a wide cross-section of audiences.

Meixner’s formative musical studies were on piano and piano accordion, but he quickly branched out on drums, diatonic button accordion, bass and trumpet, his college major. This instrumental versatility is combined with a musical background that has included intense studies and performance of jazz, classical, pop, polkas and many ethnic folk music genres with some of the leading artists in the
world. His talents in music and comedy were even featured on the Tonight Show on NBC in 2004. Most recently, his “Polka Freak Out” CD with Bubba Hernandez garnered a Grammy nomination in December, 2007.

Currently based in Palm City, FL, Alex is performing as a solo artist and with numerous touring ensembles. His solo programs- “Fascinating Rhythms of the World” focus on the fusion of Slavic folk music and Jazz, but also include the inflections of folk, pop and classical styles from Latin America, Africa and other sections of Europe. This music is the basis for a series of multi-cultural music education seminars and performances which are currently available through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts “Artists in Education” program.

Alex also leads The Alex Meixner Band in performances throughout North America. Whether you are looking for sure fire crowd pleasing family entertainment, something for the senior audience, classy jazz for a reception or a unique party band- Alex Meixner will work tirelessly to provide the perfect mix for your event.

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deutscher musik verein

Oktoberfest is excited to present Deutscher Musik Verein (or auf englisch, the German Music Society) of Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Deutscher Musik Verein is a 25-piece German brass band, under the direction of award-winning musician and band leader Fred Ziwich. Beyond orgainzing a wonderful band, Deutscher Musik Verein has done exceptional work as an organization--its mission being to preserve and celebrate German musical heritage and culture. 

fred ziwich & the international sound machine

Nominated for a Grammy in 2007, Fred Ziwich of North Olmstead, Ohio, is one of the seminal musicians in the world of polka. If he were said to have an emphasis, it would likely be the Slovenian style.

Well grounded musically, Fred has earned a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree from Indiana University. His own award-winning band--the International Sound Machine--has produced numerous recordings since its inception in 1977.

The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame has honored Ziwich on multiple occassions with Musician of the Year, Button Box Musician of the Year, and Recording of the Year honors.

In addition to receiving numerous awards, Fred has worked as a studio musician and has shared the stage with such well-known musicians as Hank Haller, Don Lipovac, and Adam Barthalt.

joe wendel

s.t.v. bavaria

Website: stvbavaria.org

For more than 70 years, audiences all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, have turned out to watch the colorful "Dirndls" twirl into the arms of Lederhosen-clad "slap dancers" as S.T.V. Bavaria performs.

Schuhplattling in Cleveland dates back to the early 20's when four couples joined the German-Austrian singing society "Blau Donau." This group of Alpine dancers, singers, and musicians would later form the Schuhplattler und Bauerngruppe Blaue Donau.

In January of 1966, various Schuhplattler groups from the U.S. and Canada united to form the Gauverband Nordamerika, which also holds a bi-annual convention and dance competitions. On October 21, 1966, members of the Schuhplattler und Bauerngruppe Blaue Donau voted to become independent of their parent singing society and remain in the Gau. Thus, the Schuhplattler und Trachtenverein "Bavaria" as it is known today, was formed.

In May, 1972, about 1,200 dancers and guests came to Cleveland to dedicate the club's flag at St. John's Cathedral. During that same year, Steve Bencic started the Oktoberfest where "Bavaria" continues to entertain hundreds of thousands every Labor Day weekend.

In 1973 STV dancers placed first in the Gaufest in Washington, DC, and have since brought back to Cleveland 7 gold medals and various other honors.

Bavaria consists of a children's group and a teen through adult group, each performing dances from the Tyrol region in Europe, wearing authentic costumes or "tracht."