Rocka-Rolla and Village Tavern at the Church of Saint Mary
Oldies Dance with live band playing
Early Rock ‘n Roll and Polka music!
Past events:
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Saturday, March 1, 2014
6:00-9:00p.m.
Live, in Upson Hall (lower level) St. Mary’s Catholic Church
261 East 8th Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
This is an “Oldies” Dance with a live band playing alternating sets of 50′s-60′s Rock-n-Roll and Old-Time Polka music! Dance, twist, shout, schottische, bunny hop, polka, waltz, toe-tap, hand-clap or just listen to the great oldies sounds of Rocka-Rolla / Village Tavern – featuring a lead singer from our very own SM parish – Richard Schletty! This is one great gathering you won’t want to miss. It’s surefire fun for the whole family! Snacks and refreshments provided.
Cost: $10/person or $25/family (3+)
For: Children and Adults
Stay tuned for future events!
Rocka-Rolla and Village Tavern took it
to the street again on Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Minnesota Department of Nostalgic Rehabilitation relaesed
the 2010 version of this throw-back 1960s/70s rcok n roll band to its public
(both of them, if they show) on Saturday, August 28,
at the almost-annual Hopkins Street
Dance. We did alternating sets of early classic
rock songs (Beatles, Beach Boys, Johnny Rivers, The Coasters,
Elvis, Chuck Berry, etc.) and old time polka music (very
danceable).
Location: 140
20th Avenue South, Hopkins, MN, the Johnson Family Compound,
a block off the intersection of Shady Oak Road and Excelsior (Co. Rd
3), adjacent to the Subway.
Rocka-Rolla, Schletty's rock band comprised of college
classmates (SJU '74), is among the alumni musical performers featured
in
"The
Scene: Johnnie Rockers and Musicians" in
Saint John’s
University Magazine, Winter 2007. Here is the Rocka-Rolla
sidebar from the St. John's Magazine story: RockaRollaArticle.pdf
At right: Original members
of the "Rocka-Rolla" (50s-60s Rock-n-Roll)
side of the music equation. Pictured
L to R:
John
Kennedy
(lead
guitar),
Todd Mueller (drums), Rich Schletty (lead singer) and
Tom Johnson (keyboards and accordian). For the "Village
Tavern" (old time polkas) flip side, Leon Schilmoeller
does trumpet and Steve Kutcher provides bottom with
tuba.
Leon and
Steve
were not present at our September 2006 gig for St.
Matthew's Parish in St. Paul. Also joining us at that
Fall Festival street dance were Chris Stevens (bass),
Jack Heitzinger (keyboard) and Mark Evans (guitar).
Above: Charter members of and
guest perfomers for Rocka-Rolla and Village Tavern
(7-28-07 at Leon and Jan's 30th wedding anniversary
gathering). L to R: Steve Kutcher, Todd Mueller, Mark
Evans, John Kennedy, Leon Schilmoeller, Pat Schatz,
Richard Schletty, Steve Schatz, Tom Johnson
Gig History
St.
Matthew's Fall Festival Outdoor Dances September
of 2006 and 2007 • Saint Matthew's
Church
• 490 Hall Ave., St. Paul, MN See videos and stills below for evidence.
Pizza
Shop No. 1 August of 2008 • Dodd Road
near Smith Ave. • West St. Paul, MN
