Click here to view the entertainment schedule for the Bier Garten.

Website: discoinfernoband.com

Disco Inferno is Darius A. Quarius, Sonny "D" Lite, Freddy A. Groovilini, and the right Rev. Russell J. Love. Disco Inferno also includes Marvin D. Licious, Melvin D. Licious and T. Love James. DISCO INFERNO has performed with acts such as the Boogie Knights in LA, The Grooveline, The Afrodisiacs in Chicago, Disco Inferno in Florida, LeFreak in Dallas and the Polyester Pimps in Nashville.

Disco Inferno was formed in 1995 after Sonny relocated from S. California to Cleveland. Sonny was an original member of the Boogie Knights, the band that started the disco craze in '92.

Noticing that there was a serious need for a band that could bring the boogie to the Midwest, Sonny and former drummer Antonio "Diablo" Banderos enlisted the bass player from Firehouse, Darius, Johnny Crowvolta on percussion and backing vocals, and Rev. Russell J. Love on lead vocals. Disco Inferno was an instant success playing Cleveland venues such as The Basement, Shooters, Phantasm, Odeon and Fagans. Soon, everyone wanted to be like Disco Inferno. Copycat bands began springing up, but the Inferno still leads the pack, performing regularly at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Hard Rock Cafés. Disco Inferno was also featured with The Village People at the Cleveland National Rib Cook-off and headlines the annual Twilight at the Zoo benefits.

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Website: clevelandsbreakfastclub.com
Myspace: myspace.com/clevelandsbreakfastclub

Voted Best Cover Band by Cleveland Scene in 2007, Breakfast Club has more pure talent and experience pretty much any other cover band you'll find. As Cleveland Scene noted, "You don't want to hear Journey; you want to feel them. And for that, you'll need Breakfast Club, Cleveland's most authentic group of '80s rockers."

Frontman Dave Brooks made his name in the Cleveland area in bands Risque, IV Play, and Gotham City. He moved to LA, and was signed to Priority Records as their first glam-metal act, Slammin' Gladys. The band sold thousands of records and toured with notable acts such as Warrant and Southgang. He has released two solo CDs and produces and engineers recordings for some of the area's top bands.

Guitarist Billy Morris rose from local to international fame with his extensive touring & recording with such greats as Paul Gilbert, (RacerX & Mr. Big), to a recent line-up in the band WARRANT and being a touring guitarist for heavy metal legends Quiot Riot. But the touring and backing up such bands became a bit much so Billy decided to stay home and dedicate his time to writing and recording new music for future release.

Bassist Brian Dossa toured the country with the Doors cover band, Moonlight Drive, and also played with local greats such as the Tony Lang Band and the Mike Farley Band. In the words of Cleveland Scene, "They're workhorses -- you'll find them playing somewhere every weekend night of the year. And their set list is vintage glitter-and-glam -- from Journey to the Outfield, Bon Jovi to the Violent Femmes. Whether you lived the '80s or missed them altogether, the Breakfast Club is your time machine. Don't forget your leggings."

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Website: stoneponyband.com

What else can be said about the Stone Pony Band that hasn't already been said time and again in the 5 short years this group of talented musicians has been together? Hailing from northeast Ohio, this group of 9 veteran musicians honors the music of New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. From New York to Chicago and all points in-between, Stone Pony has been turning heads, satisfying the hardcore Boss / SSJ fans, and consistently winning over new fans to the awesome music of Springsteen & Southside.

Their sound, energy, and especially their ability to incorporate audiences into every live performance have received rave reviews from their fans, affectionately known as "The Herd." This energy transcends the need for "look-alikes;" the spirit and power of great music is what drives a Stone Pony show, not the often impossible task of looking and sounding just like the original. This band honors Springsteen the Writer, the Lyricist and the Performer. The music truly does do all the talking!

So just who is the Stone Pony Band? Lead singer Kelly Derrick fronts the band with a vocal style and stage presence that is hauntingly like the originals he tributes. Don Day drives the low end on the Bass Guitar and is partnered in crime with "Captain" Kevin Morgan on Drums and vocals - a rhythm section to be reckoned with to be sure. Doug Powell handles all of the guitar duties while his brother Jim "Otis" Powell takes care of laying down the Organ, piano and bells. The newest member, Brent "Flounder" Lane completes the keyboard section with his soulful, tasteful, rockin' piano, organ and strings. The featured part of Stone Pony, The North Coast Horns, is Darrin "The Lone Ho" Clark on the Slide Trombone, "Big" Al Widmer on the trumpet and the incredible sax work of Dave "Dank" Frank.

Come on out to see Stone Pony and you'll understand what Scene Magazine, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The North Coast Voice, and a host of other top media organizations are raving about: A Stone Pony show is not just another bar gig. It is a concert event!

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Website: alexmeixner.com

Alex Meixner’s performing career began at age 6 with his two sisters and father in an ethnic folk ensemble. From these early experiences through headline appearances at music festivals throughout the US; concert performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, Sandy Duncan and his own jazz and ethnic ensembles; as well as over 50 recordings, Meixner has developed a unique musical mix that appeals to a wide cross-section of audiences.

Meixner’s formative musical studies were on piano and piano accordion, but he quickly branched out on drums, diatonic button accordion, bass and trumpet, his college major. This instrumental versatility is combined with a musical background that has included intense studies and performance of jazz, classical, pop, polkas and many ethnic folk music genres with some of the leading artists in the
world. His talents in music and comedy were even featured on the Tonight Show on NBC in 2004. Most recently, his “Polka Freak Out” CD with Bubba Hernandez garnered a Grammy nomination in December, 2007.

Currently based in Palm City, FL, Alex is performing as a solo artist and with numerous touring ensembles. His solo programs- “Fascinating Rhythms of the World” focus on the fusion of Slavic folk music and Jazz, but also include the inflections of folk, pop and classical styles from Latin America, Africa and other sections of Europe. This music is the basis for a series of multi-cultural music education seminars and performances which are currently available through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts “Artists in Education” program.

Alex also leads The Alex Meixner Band in performances throughout North America. Whether you are looking for sure fire crowd pleasing family entertainment, something for the senior audience, classy jazz for a reception or a unique party band- Alex Meixner will work tirelessly to provide the perfect mix for your event.

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Website: chardonpolkaband.com

The Chardon Polka Band is one of the few polka groups in the business that can relate to the "younger generation". The band plays many traditional ethnic polkas with a unique flare! The band is comprised largely of  twenty some-things. They  are a hip, young, and energetic polka band that has been in business for seven years! The Chardon Polka Band is very entertaining, both in music and attitude.

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Website: thebierband.com

Make way for The AWARD WINNING BIER BAND!  With the motto, "The more you drink, the better we sound," The Bier Band know how to get a party started. Oh, and by the way, just because they wear Lederhosen doesn't mean they won't launch into an occassional Jimmy Buffett tune.  If you're a traditionalists, fear not. They still know their German standards and Polkas. 

The BIER BAND is based in Cincinnati, OH, a city rich with GERMAN heritage.  An eleven piece ensemble, they are comprised of two accordian players, a brass section, a percussion section and singers/crowd participation specialists.  That's right, the Bier Band isn't an act for a hushed auditorium. They're bringing a party, so be ready to join in! Consider it German Mardis Gras.

Website: eouv.com

1n 1969, the Gottscheer Blaskapelle was founded by its present Director and President, Edmund J. Seifert.  When the band started it only had five members, but in these few members Seifert saw great promise.  Now in its 40th year, the Blaskapelle has grown significantly from those early days.  The success of the band can be attributed to the hard work of Edmund Seifert and the many fine musicians that make up the band.

The purpose of the Gottscheer Blaskapelle is to preserve, teach and promote the Gottscheer musical heritage through performances given by the band.

Website: joeytomsick.com

In 2007, the Joey Tomsick Orchestra will mark its 23rd year anniversary of entertaining audiences nationwide. The four-piece group, also known as the "JTO" was organized in 1984 by Joey and has since become one of greater Cleveland's most popularly active all-occasion bands, performing a wide range of music for all types of audiences and social events from weddings, festivals, "polka parties", Inaugural Balls and Presidential visits!

This Cleveland, Ohio based band features Phil Hrvatin on saxophone, Jim Penko on drums, Hank Guzel on bass and vocals, and , Joey Tomsick on keyboards, vocals and accordion. This Cleveland, Ohio based band features Phil Hrvatin on saxophone, Jim Penko on drums, Hank Guzel on bass and vocals, and of course, Joey Tomsick on keyboards, vocals and accordion. .

Website: zolabigband.com

Ever since the release of Swingers, a whole new generation has come to appreciate swing dance and big band music. Steeped in the tradition of famous swing and dance bands like Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, Harry James, Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra, The Dan Zola Orchestra has kept audiences hopping since 1962. Whether it's Swing, Latin, or Fox Trot, this 19 piece ensemble brings back the thrilling and nostalgic days of big band music.

Recreating the legendary sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, Helen Ward, Doris Day, vocalist Dianne Palmer is a true virtuoso.

The Dan Zola Orchestra has accompanied name personalities, been featured on television, radio and performed live throughout the region.

Website: ethnicjazzohio.com

Jason
Nicknamed "The Tin Voice Of Polkas", Jason Uzl is one of the better known faces around polka music. He's played with Eddie Blazonczyk, Tower City Drive, and more. One of the finest trumpet players in the business, he's a Cleveland icon!

Jimmy
Jimmy K began playing professionally at age 11. He's composed regional hits, and has a strong following. For nearly 20 years, Jim led the "Harmony Jac's". He later played with the Dynabrass, The Polish Kid, and then formed "Jimmy K & Power Play" in the mid-90's. Lured from retirement by Mark Janson & the Brass Express, he agreed to join if he could play bass, do vocals & MC work. He played for 5 years, before being approached by Toledo Polkamotion to play accordion. Having not picked up an accordion in 8 years, the prospect was daunting, but he did it anyway, and stayed with TPM until they disbanded. Ethnic Jazz's own Jack Beachly (a former TPB bandmate), persuaded Jimmy to join Ethnic Jazz in 2006.

Joe 
Joe Rosinski (aka J.R.) has played with TBC, Bruno Mikos, Ray Budzilek, Tower City Drive, other Cleveland bands, and has filled in for numerous "road bands". Joe started playing drums at 5, and has carved quite a niche for himself in the music scene with his unique style of drumming.

Jack
A fixture in polka music. Jack Beachly played with Lenny Gomulka, Frankie Liszka & TBC, the Trel Tones, Toledo Polkamotion, Dynasonics, John Gora & Gorale & more. He's filled in with dozens of Polka bands all over the country, and toured coast to coast. An accomplished concertina player, Jack excels on bass guitar, plays trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax, guitar, keyboard, accordion, banjo, mandolin, violin, and about 50 others. Thanks to his trademark smile, Jack's made thousands of friends in music during his relatively short career (20+ years is short to the old guys!)

Verne
Verne Maddie is our bass player & sometimes concertina player.

Rich
In 1964, at age nine, Rich Benkowski started to play a Start Concertina his father'd brought home from Chicago. After training several years under Mr. Adam Wisnieski in Pittsburgh, in 1969 the Polka-Aires of Ambridge asked him to join the band, with whom he would record three albums between '69 and '73. Rich then played for, and recoreded 4 albums with, Bruno Mikos’ Harmony Stars from '74 through '79. From 1979 to 1987, Rich organized, performed, and recorded six albums with the award-winning Brass Connection. In the past two years Rich has performed with Ethnic Jazz, Freeze Dried from Chicago, and Badinov of Toledo.

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Website: jagermeister.com

Carrying vials full of precious liquid and plenty of gear, the Jager Girls look ready to call roll for Chemistry Lab... but for the fact that they're better looking than most chemistry teachers, and their experiments don't involve dry ice and a magnet, but rather injecting curiosity seekers with a German concoction said by many to cause elevation. If you doubt its effects and aren't running for office any time soon, have one of your friends take pictures. Also on hand, for obvious reasons, will be the Red Bull team. With all that orange and red flaring up everywhere, the Jager Bomb sniffing dogs should have a field day.

The Labor Day Oktoberfest "Best Oktoberfest Microbrew" competition will be held Fri., Sat., Sun., and Mon. Sept. 2nd-5th, 2011 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. The Bier Garden will be cooking with the sounds of the Stone Pony, The Spazmatics, Disco Inferno, and Cleveland's Breakfast Club. Your votes will determine the People's Choice as the Best Oktoberfest Microbrew, and there will be a special judges session Friday night. Competing breweries include Berea's own Cornerstone Brewing Company, Great Lakes, Rock Bottom, Ohio Brewing Company, Buckey Brewing Company, Rocky River Brewing Company, Black Box Brewery, Lager Heads, Buckeye Beer Engine, Willoughby Brewing Company, The Brew Kettle, and Thirsty Dog Brewing Company. Click here to find out more about the contest and our competing breweries.