The first event featured the Josh Norman Musik Meisters as a duo: Josh Norman on tuba and vocals and Tina Losleben on piano accordion.

The set included “Beer Barrel Polka,” “Schnapps Polka,” “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie,” “Lapland Polka,” “Gary’s Polka,” “Paul’s Waltz,” “Carol’s Waltz,” “No Beer Today” (with Mike Losleben on vocals) and “Dancing with LeMae,” arranged by George Maha.

Losleben, of Evan, began playing accordion at age 10. Norman, of Hanska, has played tuba for nearly 10 years following a break. He was interviewed for a Harold Loeffelmacher tribute at the Brown County Historical Society.

The duo performs regularly at nursing homes including Orchard Hills, Oak Hills, Divine Providence and Sleepy Eye Care Center. They expand to a five�’piece band, adding trumpet, concertina and drums, for larger events such as Oktoberfests in New Ulm and the Twin Cities and scheduled appearances at Jackpot Junction.

The Josh Norman Musik Meisters deliver German polka tunes at Benny’s Bar in New Ulm during the first Tuesday Polka night performance. Photo by Amy Zents

Losleben organized a World Concertina Congress Hall of Fame event in New Ulm about nine years ago at the Best Western, which drew more than 300 people and inducted Leon Helget and Johnny Helget among others.

Scott Sparlin coordinated the initial talent for the new series at Benny’s Bar. Venue owner Topher Jacobson committed to the Tuesday night slot indefinitely.

Sparlin said the series will begin with six to eight solo or duo acts and may expand to full bands in the downstairs space and to Sunday old�’time music brunches.

“It’s going to give concertina players a chance to really showcase themselves where they don’t get a lot of public opportunities,” Sparlin said. He cited 16�’year�’old Colton Mack, who began playing concertina at age 8.

“We want the young, the old, we want them all,” Sparlin said.

The next event, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, will feature Polka Anton: Sparlin on button accordion, guitar and bass, and Tony (Anton) Berg on concertina.

“They always ask us where the polka is,” Jacobson said. “Well, if you’re not here on Bockfest or Oktoberfest, there’s no polka. Well, now there’s polka every Tuesday.”

Polka Tuesdays run from 6 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday at The NU Franklin, 126 N. Minnesota St.