Polish Christmas caroling this Friday: you should go

This Friday at 7pm marks the Polish Home Club’s (510-12 S Broadway, Fells Point) annual Christmas Caroling extravaganza in Fells Point, an event I was introduced to by a highschool friend of mine some time ago and have grown to enjoy thoroughly. It’s an event that amounts to almost pure tradition, fortunately without feeling the slightest bit milk toast or boring (more on that in a second). Carolers essentially do a lap around Fells Point proper, led by a full blown Polka band while singing traditional carols in English and Polish, with phonetic pronunciation available for the 99.99% of us that no longer know any other languages other than high school Spanish – thanks public school!

Most of the streets around the route are blocked off momentarily by police for the throngs to pass through, so carolers can revel in the knowledge that they’re probably pissing off some Harbor East resident who’s attempting to get home by way of Canton, so that’s pretty satisfying. Also in the satisfying department, a lot of Fells Point is shockingly still inhabited by people who legitimately decorate their houses and apartments; legitimate citizens of Baltimore who’ve been here long enough to remember when the Polish Home Club probably had over a handful of members, they sit by their windows and populate their stoops, actually waving to people as they stroll by singing off-key, occasionally even handing out a cookie or three. It’s down right heart warming. The sing-walkathon ends with an after party at the Home Club itself, featuring even more Polka and cheap as hell booze.

Speaking of booze, the aforementioned “Not all boring” aspect of this whole caroling experience: Lots of booze. Lots of Medovukha/Krupnikas, lots of Vodka, lots and lots of hot, boozy cider to warm your throat and loosen your vocal cords enough to let yourself hear yourself sing poorly. Even if someone hands you a cup of hot cocoa and swears it contains no alcohol, *do not bring it near an open flame*. So at the very least, a fun boozy time with friends and Polka in the middle of the street should be enough to get you there.

But more importantly, the Home Club could use a hand. Like most lodges and homes of its kind, the Polish Club is populated by die hard Polish Baltimoreans who’ve been here through the worst, whose numbers have been steadily dwindling due to the draw of the suburban safety net, a lack of interest in heritage-based social clubs among the younger set, and just plain old age. The Club’s numbers and financing have trickled to the point to where their annual Polish festival was cancelled this past year primarily due to the city increasing its fees (SHOCKER) for permits, with the hopes of moving to Timonium in 2012 – but losing the festival is a symbolic blow to the city’s culture.

Having said that, why not come down and join in the fun this coming Friday and think of having a cheap night out once in a while with friends at the Home Club. It’s like Blob’s Park, but it’s in the city, and ….it’s Polish, not German, but there’s still Polka and booze!