Well, it seems that I will have to go on living without having learned how to Polka. The engine blew up in our car today and I won't being going anywhere for quite awhile. Oh Poo.
However, I have a back-up plan.
I will tell you all about what I learned about Polish Folk Music, Dance and Costumes. Really, you are going to like this much better than watching me dance!
ABOUT THE POLKA
According to the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the polka originated in Bohemia around 1830 as a round-dance, and became popular throughout Europe and in America in the course of the 19th century. The name "polka" is derived from Czech words for "field" or "half;" in other interpretations the name relates to the Czech term for a Polish girl, "polska," in reference to the krakowiak dance-songs which the Bohemians adopted for their polkas. It is interesting to note that the word "Polka" means "Polish woman" in Polish.
The polka was originally a Czech peasant dance, developed in Eastern Bohemia. The dance was first introduced into the ballrooms of Prague in 1835. The name of the dance (pulka) is Czech for "half-step", referring to the rapid shift from one foot to the other. Of all the dances originating in the nineteenth-century, the only one that has survived is the polka. For years to come, the polka will remain popular, with its variance in style from robust to smooth short, glide steps and ever happy music. One of the most popular versions of the polka is the "heel and toe and away we go" due to its ease to execute.
COSTUMES
THE MUSIC
I was told by a reliable source that the albums below represent Polka Music at its best.
1. Stan Wolowic and The Polka Chips
2. POLKA DISCO - And I thought I had seen everything.
3. DEEP POLKA - Dance Music from the Midwest - Nope, now I have seen everything
4. POLKAS TO REMEMBER - VOLUME 10 - Judging my the album cover Volumes 1 - 9 must have been best sellers as well.
POLKA DANCING MEMBERSHIPS
And now, the best part of all this is that you can become an official, card-carrying, Polka dancing member of not 1 but 2 different LEGITIMATE organizations!
United States Polka Association - http://www.uspapolkas.com/
Awesome post!!
ReplyDeleteDid you know that the polka is the official state dance of Wisconsin?
In case you are looking for some additional polka trivia ... check out one of my favorite pages "The Bratwurst Page"
http://www.bratwurstpages.com/polka.html
Uh one and uh two ... enjoy
Even if you didn't get your polka on, I applaud your efforts!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used watch "Polka Parade" every Sunday afternoon.
From Dorene in Ohio
A one and a two and - play that funky polka music Sheri and dance like you know what you're doing!
ReplyDeletefM
In Minnesota -New Ulm is considered a leader in this culture. When I was a teen, the tv station from Mankato featured a alterntive to the teen american Bandstand, where the teens would dance in front of us on telelvision. Well the older folks were able to dance Polka and other on television. To Six fat Dutchman and other well known bands. Dad would be glued to the television to see, if he knew anyone. I worked with two ladies who enjoyed the fun. He loyally supported the music in the barn, while he milked cows.
ReplyDeleteI never wanted to learn the dance. Though I think some youngsters even now think it is great fun now and then. It seems drinking beer and dancing were inseperable.
Thanks for the opportunity to ramble.
Check out Happy Louie and Julida polka music on I-tunes. They even have a CD called POLKARISMA
ReplyDeleteokay, now may be you have seen it all!!