The film is called “Song & Dance,” was produced and directed by musician Kris Keltgen. Keltgen is the founder and bandleader of “The Riverbend Dutchmen,” a polka band known for playing in the traditional Dutchmen style. The documentary tells the story of his daughter Evelyn, who was diagnosed with pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) at six weeks old.

PH is a rare but serious condition where a child has high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, making it harder for the right side of the heart to pump blood through the lungs. Despite these health challenges, Evelyn beat all odds and became a skilled saxophone player, performing often at events across southern Minnesota during her teen years.

“The film explores the Midwest musical world Evelyn came up in and its inspiring history. It features my band, ‘Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen,’ and showcases legendary Midwest ballrooms and unique instruments like the Hengel concertina,” Keltgen said. “It also captures the spirit of polka fans and dancers who keep these traditions alive.”

The idea for “Song & Dance” came out of Keltgen’s hope to change the perspective on the old-time polka music.

“Song & Dance,” a new documentary on old-time dance music will screen in New Ulm at Lyric 3 starting Friday, Aug. 22. The film will have a limited screening in New Ulm, Mankato and Owattona. Director Kris Keltgen said the documentary filmed across the Minnesota and included some segments in New Ulm. Submitted photo.

“Old-time music has a stereotype and a bad rap,” Keltgen said. “People say it is for old people or that it is dying out, but as an old-time band leader, I can say that’s not true. I see you young people coming out to enjoy our music all the time.”

Keltgen believes the negative view for this style of view comes from how people were exposed to it.

“We wanted to tell the story of the music accurately,” he said. “That was the genesis of the documentary.”

In telling the story of old-time polka music, Keltgen and his collaborators realized it had to be more than just the music. It was the dancing, ballrooms and TV shows that popularized it. At the same time, Keltgen said he did not want the documentary to be a boring, Wikipedia-style article.

“We wanted something engaging for people,” he said. “We talked about the healing power of music and realized the emotional hook was my daughter Evelyn and her story.”

Keltgen’s connection to old-time music was partially influenced by his daughter. He said he first got involved with the old-time polka music through his grandparents. He would later start playing in a rock band with his uncle. Over the years, he played with several rock bands, but then after Evelyn was born, he transitioned to polka.

Due to her medical condition, it was a stressful time and Keltgen needed an outlet. He decided to learn the concertina and transitioned from rock music to polka.

“Evelyn was the catalyst,” he said. A few years later, he formed The Riverbend Dutchmen.

The creation of the film took nearly three years. Keltgen said the film crew spent time mapping out who they wanted to interview and where they wanted to film. Principal photography on the documentary began two years ago and lasted a year. Keltgen estimated they interviewed 60 people and traveled to musical festivals throughout Minnesota making the film. Much of the film was shot in and around the Midwest with some scenes filmed in New Ulm.

Keltgen said the documentary includes segments filmed at KNUJ, the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and even footage of George’s Ballroom before its demolition last year.

In creating the film, Keltgen said one of the challenges was keeping the film focused. Old-time polka music covers a wide range. The filmmakers decided to focus on the Dutchmen-style bands like Harold Loeffelmacher and Babe Wagner.

Keltgen said the Dutchmen genre of old-time music is classified by its connection to German heritage, but also the instrumentation. Sometimes called the Oom-pah genre of music, the bands featured a robust rythum that including tubas, drums and a horn section.

“In Minnesota and especially around New Ulm; the bands would have a concertina in them,” Keltgen said.

Keltgen said the greatest challenge of directing “Song & Dance” was the financial challenges. He said there is a reason film budgets run high. There are a lot of hidden costs in simply licensing songs and the documentary makes heavy use of music.

Though the film was made on a low budget, Keltgen said it is still a high quality product, to which he credits his collaborators, including director of photography Zak Rivers, cinematographer Justin Bruellman and others.

“We had really talented people working on it,” Keltgen said. “They are all very creative people who are great problem solvers.”

“Song & Dance” will host its world premier at Spotlight 4 Theater in Mankato, Saturday Aug. 16. Keltgen said this premier has already sold out, but further public screenings would be offered staring Friday, Aug 22 at select theaters, including Northwood Cinema 10 in Owatonna and Lyric 3 in New Ulm.

Keltgen thanked the local theaters for screening his documentary during the summer film season.

“We hope people will come out,” He said. “It is a local project and are competing with summer time films, but we think local people will enjoy it.”

Keltgen said the documentary is chalk-full of the old-time Dutchmen music.

“Anyone who likes old-time music and indie filmmaking, this film is for you,” he said.

“Song & Dance” was produced locally by Reel Cinema Productions – a partnership between Barefoot Music Studios and Publishing, Zak Rivers Photography and Bruellman Films.

The film was made possible by a Minnesota State Arts Board grant, the Minnesota Ballroom Operators’ Association and the Polka Lovers’ Klub of America. In-kind support was provided by KEYC TV, KNUJ and KCHK.