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Arts & Entertainment

Patti & the Guys Perform At Manchester Bicentennial Band Shell

Hot weather and hot polka in Manchester last night.

Although Patti & the Guys have been playing throughout Connecticut for the past 20 years, last night marked the band's debut performance at the Manchester Bicentennial Band Shell in a concert sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

The band, wearing matching aquamarine polo shirts and led by Patti Ann Jakubiak, 71, of Bristol, performed for nearly two hours, playing plenty of jaunty polkas, such as “Grasshopper Polka,” as well as classics such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” and an Engelbert Humperdinck medley. 

Unlike most bands, it doesn not take the stage with a pre-planned set list.  Instead, Jakubiak decides what the next song will be as they go along, making the mood of each performance a little different.

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Although the 85-degree heat left most of the audience members to tap their toes and nod their heads to the music from the comfort of their lawn chairs, some people couldn’t help but get on their feet.  Couples glided across the concrete dancing area in front of the stage, children bopped to the beat, and a woman in a pink windbreaker stomped around solo.

Trumpet-player Kevin Krauth had the crowd chuckling in between songs as he cracked jokes.  After the band finished playing “My Happiness,” Krauth quipped: “You know what my happiness is?  Air conditioning!”

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Patti & the Guys draws a dedicated group of fans wherever they go, which Jakubiak graciously chats with, greeting old friends and making new ones.  Jakubiak was happy to play at the Band Shell last night. 

“Everyone’s been so nice to us,” she said.

The band, which includes three generations of musicians, is also noted for their support of troops and veterans.  A World War II veteran, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor, attended the concert and got a special shout-out for his 85th birthday.

Also attending the show was Manchester Mayor Louis Spadaccini.

Polka music has been a part of Jakubiak’s life for as long as she can remember.  For the past 25 years she has hosted the “Patti Ann’s Polka Happiness” show on Sundays from 2 to 3 p.m. on WXCT 990 AM.

This year marks the 34th season of concerts at the Manchester Bicentennial Band Shell.  The series of free performances, starting at 7 p.m., continues on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays throughout the summer.  For more information, visit www.manchesterbandshell.com.

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