Hiring Karl & Linda Hartwich

Dutchman-style Polka Music and Dance
Trempeleau, WI

Karl Hartwich is probably the best Dutchman-style concertina player of his generation. A prodigy on the Chemnitzer concertina, Karl started his band, The Country Dutchmen, in 1973 at age 13. His instrumental innovations have won him devoted followers and stimulated a revival of Dutchman-style polka. Karl has won the band of the year for the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame twice, once in 2001 and once in 2007, and has performed in about 30 states. Linda, Karl’s wife, is an excellent polka dancer who can instruct on various dances. The goal of their school programs is to make younger people aware of traditional music and instruments.

Program Formats

A general presentation

An introductory workshop

A performance

Best for Ages

Upper elementary
Grades 3-5, ages 8-10

Middle school
Grades 6-8, ages 11-13

High school
Grades 9-12, ages 14-18

Adults, ages 18 and up

Costs

Artist fee:	$75/hour
Expenses:	mileage

Program Needs:
Electricity. Staging area for band to set up.

Availability:
Winter months—flexible for weekdays, evenings and weekends.
Summer months—less flexible for weekdays
Willing to travel 150 miles or more, depending on situation

Past Venues:

innumerable public performances throughout the Midwest, including on Wisconsin Public Television and “A Prairie Home Companion”
American Folk Festival, Bangor, Maine
Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
Chiba People's Day, Chiba City, Japan
Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Washington D.C., 1998
Wisconsin Folklife Festival, Madison, 1998
Lowell Folk Festival, Lowell, MA 1995

Contact:
Karl or Linda Hartwich
24337 E. 6th Street
P.O. Box 31
Trempealeau, WI 54661
608/534-7450 (phone)
608/534-5509 (fax)
polkas@triwest.net

Best to contact after 12 PM if by phone.

last updated: 02/17/2009

Wisconsin Folks