Sites related to the polka as a dance. Polka music has its own category.
The polka is a lively "close" dance or round dance for couples, in 2/4 time.
The origin of the polka is in dispute: some say it was Bohemian (Czech), others, that it was originally Polish. In any event, there was a polka craze in Europe in the 1840s. Emigrants took the newly-invented accordion and the then-rebellious polka to America. There was a second polka mania in the 1930s and '40s, almost exactly a century after its introduction. Among some ethnic groups in North America (Germans, Polish, Czechs), the polka has never gone out of style.
Related categories 1
Sites 7
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- History of Dance: Polka Story of the origins and early spread of this popular dance, by Lori Heikkila.
- rec.arts.dance FAQ: Polka Brief history, links, explanation of "polka dots."
- Polka steps Diagram and instructions for basic polka step.
- Polish Dances: Polka Essay points out that the polka, while popular among Polish-Americans, is not really a Polish dance like the polonaise or mazurka. Several photos. Includes bibliography.
- Animation & Dance: Polka Short essay on this dance. Also mentions conjunto music.
- Polka Happiness Book review. Recommends this study of the polka in America to all fans of the polka.
- Dance History Archives: The Polka The rise of this dance related to the redowa and the schottische. Important people and places in its early popularization, some early sheet music titles, names of some popular polkas.