Although a few faces in the band have changed since its debut in 2000, Punani Cin Cin continues to take musical chances and pay homage to Polish culture. The band turned its appreciation of ambient instrumental music and the poetry of Charles Bukowski into a formula that won it acclaim in the venerable Stag Hotel in Syracuse.

Those early shows led to the band landing two songs in the upcoming film Northern Lights. Actor-writer Mike Wallace suggested the band submit a few songs for the film (scenes of which were shot in Syracuse last summer) that is slated for release this fall. Wallace discovered the band from its early shows in Armory Square.

Since its inception, the band has added Rob Burkhardt on keyboards and vocals. Burkhardt joined guitarists Dan Ramin and Allen Czelusniak three years ago, and he has developed a reputation for bringing energy to the group’s live shows. During last year’s performance at Polish Festival in Clinton Square, notable Syracuse rocker Jeff Jones performed with PCC on drums.

New for 2006, the band actually may forego having any drummer during this year’s set. “We try not to be too predictable,” Czelusniak observed. “Part of the Punani Cin Cin mentality is to take musical chances, and the band has really enjoyed the extra sonic space without a drummer on its new material.”

“We don’t need a drummer, really,” Ramin observed while reflecting on the band’s latest material.

Punani Cin Cin will perform a few of its favorites, including The Wistula Waltz, Swells and Sara’s Caffeine, but the band also wants to treat the crowd to a fresh, new ambient sound to kick off the festivities on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re really going to focus on setting the mood for Saturday,” Czelusniak said. “We expect our set to be inviting, energetic and a little out of the ordinary. If you’re looking for your grandfather’s polka, you’ll be in for a surprise. We like polka, but we’re certainly not a polka band.”