Updated March 2, 2008
NY METS SHEA STADIUM POLISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE NIGHT 2008
(January 12, 2008)
The New York Mets have announced that the Fourth Annual Polish-American Heritage Night will take place this year on Monday, August 25th. The Ablemen and the Polonaise Folk Dancers under the direction of Carol Golis will entertain, as they have done for each of the Mets’ Polish-American nights. The groups will perform on the field prior to the start of the evening’s game between the Houston Astros and the New York Mets. More details will be released as the baseball season draws near. For now, mark the date on your calendars. This will be the last Polish-American night at Shea Stadium as the Mets are scheduled to play their 2009 season in their new ballpark, Citifield.
ABLEMEN HAVE A SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO SHEA STADIUM IN 2007
(August 24, 2007)
The Ablemen from Emerson, NJ, and the Polonaise Folk Dancers from Maspeth, NY, under the direction of Carol Golis, teamed up to provide a festive show for those in attendance at Polish-American Heritage Night sponsored by the New York Mets on Wednesday, August 22. Both ensembles were part of a pre-game, on-field show prior to the game between the Mets and the San Diego Padres. This appearance marked the third time that both groups have performed at Shea for this special Heritage Night.
The Ablemen opened their part of the performance with two lively polkas, "Lazy Honey" and "Chodz Tutaj Buzi Daj" ("Come Here Give Me a Kiss"). Fans in attendance clapped their hands, tapped their feet in time with the music, and even sang along to "Lazy Honey." Following those two selections, Ray Skorka introduced the dancers who came onto the field dancing to a Polish folk song "Krakowiak" accompanied by The Ablemen. For their final number together, the dance group reprised their routine to an original Ablemen song, "Nutsy Sax Polka", written by Ray Skorka and featuring Joe Annecchino on alto saxophone.
As the dancers and band left the field, members of the Shea Stadium staff and crew were overheard remarking about the excellent showmanship and professionalism demonstrated by both groups, who received a wonderful round of applause from the Shea crowd.
Shea Stadium on-field production staff that evening expressed their enthusiasm for the performances. Barry Gorman of the Mets ticket department coordinated the arrangements for the evening. In an email to Ray he wrote, “Everyone on our end enjoyed your performance as usual.”
For a look at photos, go the website's "photos" link to the "Polish Night at Shea Stadium 2007" link.
ABLEMEN HONORED BY WALLINGTON, NJ, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
(March 19, 2007)
For over 30 years, The Ablemen have performed at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Knights of Columbus, Council #3644, in Wallington, New Jersey. On March 17, 2007, at the Knights’ annual Irish Night, the Council presented the band with a plaque in honor of their years of service to the organization, dedicating the stage at the hall to The Ablemen in front of a crowd that numbered approximately 200.
The Council has made a yearly tradition of having The Ablemen perform at Irish Night in March, customarily held on March 17 or the closest Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. Throughout the years, the band also played for various other functions at the hall: Polish Nights, Past Grand Knight Dinner-Dances, and countless wedding receptions and anniversaries.
The plaque, which will be permanently mounted on the front of the stage at the Council, reads: “This stage is dedicated to The Ablemen, with deep appreciation for over 30 years of fine music.”
Band members Ray Skorka, Jim Obrotka, Joe Annecchino, and Bill Miranda were extremely surprised and honored to receive this recognition. Ray accepted this award on behalf of other fellow musicians who performed with the band there, including Bill Wojciechowski and Rich Robino.
To view pictures from the event, click on the "photos" link and then "Wallington K of C Honors."
ABLEMEN AND POLONAISE FOLK DANCERS PERFORM AT SHEA STADIUM
(August 25, 2006)
On Wednesday, August 23rd, The New York Mets held their second annual Polish-American Heritage Night, and for the second year in a row The Ablemen, led by Ray Skorka, and the Polonaise Folk Dancers, directed by Carol Golis, entertained fans before the game.
The show began at 6:25 pm with the band playing two selections, “Happy and Sad Polka” and “Pretty Woman Polka” from their new CD, Still Kickin. Following that performance, band leader Ray Skorka introduced the Polonaise Folk Dancers to the audience. The Polonaise Dancers, backed by The Ablemen, then danced to the “Krakowiak” and an original tune by The Ablemen, “Nutsy Sax Polka,” from their Dressed Up Polkas album.
Shea staff members who worked with the two groups were favorable to both sets of performers and offered many kudos. Unknown to the performers prior to the show, parts of the pre-game festivities were broadcast on the Mets network, SNY (Sportsnet New York). Also, Mark Hermann, New York Newsday sports columnist, mentioned the event in his August 24th column about the trade of Shawn Green to the Mets. He wrote, “and before the game, Roy Orbison music was played by a polka band,” a reference to the band’s “Pretty Woman Polka.” The Mets also paid tribute to the evening on their website in an article relevant to the game, stating "The night had a sing-song feel to it, literally and figuratively. Before the game, the Shea faithful were treated to a Polka band named 'The Ablemen' from the tri-state area playing in celebration of Polish culture."
Barry Gorman, NY Mets’ Group Sales representative, emailed to Ray Skorka the following: “You guys did a great job performing and I along with the rest of the organization look forward to working with you next season. I don't know if anyone has mentioned this to you but during the telecast Ron Darling (Mets broadcaster) mentioned that he really enjoyed the Polka band during the pregame festivities.”
For a look at photos, go the website's "photos" link to the "Polish Night at Shea Stadium 2006" link.
ABLEMEN RELEASE NEW CD (July 9, 2006)
The band's new CD, Still Kickin, is available for purchase. It is a combination of polkas, obereks, waltzes, and even a tango medley. All selections are arranged by Ray Skorka, with nine of them being original songs that Ray has written. Ordering information is on the "Still Kickin" page. Simply click on that link in the menu.