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Ed Guca: The International Polka Treasure

Over 5 years ago when the Roncesvalles festival was just taking shape, Mr. Ed Guca expressed his constructive criticism regarding the lack of organization, and has ever since successfully coordinated the Polish event. Ed’s main contribution involves arranging grants and bringing top Polka bands from the USA. The bands this year included; “Freeze Dried” from Chicago, Grammy-nominated Canadian musician John Gora who performed a mix of polka beats and New Orleans blues, as well as a more traditional Polka sound brought by Mr. Guca’s “Major Music” and “The Buffalo Touch” ensembles.

Ed Guca

When asked about his creative process, Ed’s hit “Ej Mamusiu Moja” a song about his mother, came alive through imagining what would Ed’s mother, whom died at his early age had to say about his life.

Mr. Guca is the second Canadian honored at the International Polka Association’s Hall of Fame is an established Musician, that has been touring North America with his band; The Polish Canadians for the past 50 years. Today He is the chair BIA for “the Bloor by the park” and as a proud representative of the region convinced me to a couple of restaurants as best in town; “The King Slice” for pizza and “China Island” for Chinese food, both located on the north-west corner of Dundas West and Bloor. Furthermore, as a store owner of “Movie Art Décor” at 1566 Bloor St. West, Mr. Guca offers quality independent foreign films, as well as donated movies along with some new releases.

Mr. Guca’s achievements include; Performing at the 1977 World Polka Festival in Poland, creating his recording company POLANCA Records, hosting “The All Night Friday Night Polka Party” as a DJ on CHIN-FM radio, establishing RAM Records to record and promoting Canadian Polka talent, finally running the Canadian Polka Carnival on the first Friday after every Easter for 25 years!