Photo courtesy of Barefoot Music Studios and Publishing, Ltd. Members of Kris Keltgen and the Riverbend Dutchmen pose for a group portrait for their new album “Dutchmen on Parade.” From left: Jerry Kahle, Mike Budin, Kris Keltgen, Rick Keane, Crystal Malek, Myron Muehlbauer, Nancy Buckentine and Jens Jensen.

MANKATO —  Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen have released a new 20-track CD album titled “Dutchmen on Parade.”

A planned CD release party and upcoming performances offer local audiences a chance to experience the music in person on the dance floor, where polka traditions remain active in southern Minnesota communities.

The band will hold a release party today at the Eagles Club Ballroom in Mankato. 

Bandleader Kris Keltgen described the project as a passion project.

“We’ve been working on it for about the last year, and we really refined the selections to be representative of the cultural heritage that all of us who enjoy old time music enjoy,” he said. “We’ve got a bunch of great players on there. Three members of the band are inductees into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Everybody in the band kind of contributed to all the songs that are on here.”

The album features traditional polkas, waltzes, big band sounds and country and western selections. Tracks include “The Parade Polka,” “Elmo’s Polka,” “Meditation Waltz,” “Harbor Lights,” “Putzig Polka,” “Faded Love,” “Beer Barrel Polka (Rosamunde,)” “Winter Garden Waltz,” “Pretty Girl Polka,” “Angry,” “Clarinet Laendler No. 1,” “All of Me,” “Red Raven Waltz,” “Blackjack Polka,” “Lomira Laendler,” “Policeman’s Polka,” “Waltz No. 17,” “Clarinet Laendler No. 2,” “Loveless Polka” and “Tennessee Waltz.”

Standouts include the opener “The Parade Polka,” arranged by New Ulm native Myron Muehlbauer. The tune was made famous in 1957 by ‘Fezz Fritsche and the Goosetown Band.’ It received its fresh treatment during a band retreat at a cabin in Everly, Iowa.

The album also features “Waltz No. 17,” a traditional New Ulm favorite written and arranged by Carol Echner in the years leading up to World War II.

“Some of the best moments from the project happened before the actual recording,” Keltgen said. 

During rehearsals at the cabin in Everly, Iowa, the band enjoyed an old-fashioned retreat filled with instruments, stories, laughter and musicians trying to remember whether a particular ending came after the second time through, the third, or “whenever everyone looks nervous.”

After six previous albums, the band jokes that “Dutchmen on Parade” includes one of their greatest musical breakthroughs: they finally found the right trombone sound. 

Keltgen formed the Riverbend Dutchmen in 2009. He has performed old-time music since the age of four, starting with appearances alongside his uncle’s band “Inside Straight.” 

He later played drums and piano before taking up the concertina at age 29. The band is known for its high-energy take on traditional Dutchmen-style polka and features a strong horn section.

The group has built a reputation as one of the last true traditional Dutchmen-style polka bands in the Midwest. It blends up-tempo beats with classic sounds while incorporating modern touches.

Keltgen’s feature documentary “Song & Dance,” which he directed, continues to find success on the film festival circuit while sharing the story of old-time music, dance halls, musicians, radio, television and cultural preservation in the Upper Midwest.

Since its release, the film has earned several honors, including Best Feature Documentary at the Star City Film & Theatre Festival in Des Moines, Best Feature Documentary at the New York Film & Cinematography Awards, Best Director Feature Documentary at the Hollywood International Indie Film & Screenplay Awards, Best American Director Feature Film at the LA Film & Documentary Awards, Audience Choice recognition through the Lift-Off Global Network’s First-Time Filmmaker Sessions at Pinewood Studios, and Honorable Mention at the Fargo Film Festival. 

It was also a finalist at the Cannes World Film Festival and an official selection at multiple festivals.

The film remains active in the festival circuit and is still under consideration for several 2026 festivals. 

It is now available on DVD at www.SongandDancetheMovie.com or www.RiverbendDutchmen.com. 

The documentary includes segments featuring the Riverbend Dutchmen and highlights legendary Midwest ballrooms along with unique instruments such as the Hengel concertina. 

It weaves in the personal story of Keltgen’s daughter Evelyn and her connection to the music scene.

The band will take part in a major USA 250th celebration with the KEYC-TV Bandwagon program at the Kato Ballroom on Monday, July 6. 

The event will feature traditional music and dancing along with special patriotic elements, including a salute to veterans, an interview with members of the historic New Ulm Battery.

The release party begins at 5 p.m. with music and dancing starting at 7 p.m. on the 900-square-foot hardwood dance floor. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. 

Band members will sign copies of the new album.