The International Polka Association (IPA) Tribute Band will perform at noon Friday, May 3, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.

The group, comprised of veteran Chicago polka musicians, formed the summer of 2011 in an effort to promote polka music, and specifically, the International Polka Association (IPA).

The IPA, a non-profit organization started in Chicago, honors polka performers through its Hall of Fame and annual awards in categories such as: Best Male and Female Vocalists, Best Band, Best Song and Best Album. The IPA is dedicated to the study and preservation of polka music to keep alive the cultural tradition of Polish Americans who have made their music tradition part of their heritage.

By performing songs that pay tribute to the IPA’s Hall of Fame inductees and award winners, the tribute band hopes to increase awareness of the association. With so many songs to cover, the project has also grown into an opportunity to bring back great memories of years gone by.

The group is a compilation of polka musicians from several different Chicago-based polka bands who offered to participate in this musical tribute. In fact, the majority of band members are leaders of their own polka bands.

The musicians are: John Krawisz, accordion and vocals; Tony Blazonczyk, bass and vocals; Ray (Melvin) Rzeszutko, drums and vocals; Lenny Zielinski, concertina; Rick Rzeszutko, trumpet and vocals; Laura Mateja, vocals and Dan Mateja –band leader –on the clarinet, sax and vocals.

Rzeszutko, Blazonczyk, Krawisz and Laura Mateja also sit on the board of the International Polka Association.

Most recently, the group released a new recording titled “Yesterday’s Songs” in 2012 that was nominated for CD of the Year by the United States Polka Association.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.