The Polka and Cajun Dance Site for Texas
Hi, and welcome to our site! We like to dance. We dance polka and Cajun, and C/W
swing when polka and Cajun aren’t handy. We dance mostly within a three-hour radius
of Houston, and also go out of state for polka festivals. In 2002 we reached our goal of
dancing in all 50 states. We have also danced in 377 dance venues
in Texas and 125 in other states.
This site is intended to help others learn about polka and Cajun dancing in Texas. You might begin by reviewing the History of Polka music and dance.
If history is not your bag, you can go
directly to Polka
in Texas
If you’re looking for a great
polka publication, check out The
Texas
Polka News. This monthly publication is one of the
premier polka newspapers in the nation.
It is the preferred national polka newspaper for the central and western
part of the nation, with a circulation of about 1800. It features interesting articles about
polka music and dancing, Texas and U.S. dance calendars, polka advertisements,
human interest stories, and much more.
We also have a page summarizing the Texas Polka Music Association (TPMA) and the Annual Awards program of TPMA during its eight year life 1991-98. It's a litany of the top Texas polka talent. See TPMA.
A Texas
Polka Radio listing is your guide to polka
radio programming throughout Texas.
If you like Texas Czech music and history, then you need to tune into Czech Melody Time on the web. A labor of love by Dennis Svatek of the Czech Melody Masters band, this web site lets you listen to great Texas Czech music. Check it out by going to the Texas Polka Radio link. Czech Melody Time is also now streaming real time. See the article on the link page above.
Texas has a great number of Czech and German polka bands, and one each of Polish and Slovenian flavor. See Texas Polka Bands for a listing of bands with contact names and numbers. This page includes a separate list of Texas-based "performing" bands that specialize in general entertainment for Oktoberfests and the like. It also has articles on Texas bands or musicians, including: The Jubilee Band, Al Sulak, Fritz Hodde, The Vrazels' Polka Band, Tony Janak, Urban Kneupper, Gil Baca & Baca Bands, Ray Krenek, Central Texas Sounds, A Bus for the Hobos, Leland Miller, Gordon Zunker Retiring from Cloverleaf, Daniel Cendalski (Daniel & the Country Boys), The Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Doc Darilek, Faustyn Langowski, Henry Tannenberger, the The Knights of Dixie, Joe Patek Orchestra, Leo Majek Orchestra, , Gil Baca & the Baca Bands, Jodie Mikula Orchestra, Ray Krenek, "Oma" Pearly Sowell, Melford Haag and the Hi-Toppers Band from New Braunfels, Lee Roy Matocha, Tony Janak Band on his 40th Anniversary, Rennie Guenther & the Happy Travelers, the Combinations from Bryan (15th Anniversary), the Shiner Hobo Band, Czech & Then Some, the Praha Brothers, Vrazels' Polka Band 50th Anniversary, and the Bobby Jones Czech Band 20th Anniversary. Earlier articles include Czech Melody Masters, Clarence Baca (Baca Bands), Harry Czarnek, Jimmy Brosch, and the Dujka Brothers.
But polka is not the only fun dancing in Texas! The Sabine River still separates Louisiana from Texas but it never did much to stop Cajun music from migrating into Texas. You won’t want to leave this site without exploring Cajun Music & Dancing in Texas! A summarizing article was posted 10/18/07. See also the listing of Cajun music radio programs in Texas. Check out the article on Cajun Adventure, a posting on Cajun dancing in Texas, and stories on Les "Pe-Te" Johnson of Houston. See the new article on Cory McCauley & the Evangeline Aces.
Western swing is not only a Texas tradition, it's almost a religion! Check out the CW Swing page, with an article on the legendary Bob Wills, and articles on the River Road Boys, Don Walser, Johnny Gimble, Clyde Brewer (River Road Boys), Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa (and Bob Wills), Texas Pioneers Band, the Wild River Band, the Broken Spoke in Austin, the Billy Mata Band, Coupland Dance Hall, Booth Trading Post, Asleep At The Wheel at Floore's Country Store, Hot Club of Cowtown, Legends at Shelly Lee Alley, Rockdale Cowboy Christmas, Gruene Hall, Adolph Hofner, Jimmie Rodgers, Pappy Selph and Floyd Tillman.
We have also included some Texas Links that you may find interesting, including Texas bands with web sites, and the Texas Accordion Association. We have added a few out-of-Texas links that may be of general interest (but do not intend to try to link nationwide polka bands; that is already done very well by Nancy Noltkamper at Nancy's Place For Polkas.)
If you are looking for dance information in other states, check out Hotline. Be aware that this list has not been updated in some time.
Looking for polka festivals nationwide? See US Calendar.
And remember, Polka dancing is "aerobics with beer!"
While you're here, we invite you to check out the social issues Commentary page, entitled Enduring Freedom. The articles include: America, What's a Conservative to Do?; The First 85 Days (of Obama); Keep the Change; In-Debted!; Leftward Ho!, The Economic Crisis II, The First Right (on the Tragedy of Abortion), The Economic Crisis, The Best Choice, Obama-Nation?, Drill Here-Drill Now-Pay Less, Greenwashing America, Gas Pains, The Great Ethanol Scam, The Economy?, Vote Informed, Primary Borders (on the importance of border security in the pending primary elections), A Primary Role (on the pending primary elections), Movies to Make & Miss, Thanks ...for Nothing, Noah 2007, Jihad 101, Secure the Borders, Secure Borders First, Memorial Day, Global Warming? Or Hot Air?, Bush-Whacked at the Border, What is an American?, Stem Cell Issues, America's Enemies - Abortion, America's Enemies - The ACLU; America's Enemies - Hugo Chavez, Decisions 2006, Islamic Fascism, Jihad 101, Order on the Border II, Movies to Make and Miss, Order on the Border I, Husbands - Love Your Wives, Waking Up In America, An Aging Nation, Resolve to be a Better Citizen, The Death of Christmas, Defending Marriage, The Looting of Katrina, A Purpose Driven Life, The New Wars for Independence, Texas Property Taxes, Fixing Social Security, Controlling Our Borders, Bush Leads, I'm Thankful for...Supermarkets, The First Right, The War on Terror, Clear Choices 2004, Why Bush is Best, Rediscovering Reagan, Jihad 101, The Hand That Rocks (Mother's Day Tribute), The Passion of The Christ, Choose or Lose (The Coarsening of America), The Death of Christmas, The First Right, Borderline Insanity, Reflections on Sept. 11, Hope Springs Eternal (Bob Hope), Innocent Lives, Texas Tort Reform, Memorial Day, Support our Troops; A World in Peril; The Death of Christmas; It's About Life; Doing Nothing (the Saddam problem); Political Correctness; The Pledge; Stifling Speech (Campaign Finance Reform); Choking on Clean Air; Courage to Profile; Energy Freedom; Rebirth of Resolve; The Right Man; Assault on Freedom; and An Open Letter to Muslims in America.
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Try
God - the original 24/7/365!
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TPMM
Has Home in Schulenburg
Big
news, folks! The Texas Polka Music
Museum (TPMM) has obtained building space for their museum!
The
historic building is just across the street from the Schulenburg Chamber of
Commerce. It has about 2700 square
feet of space on the 1st floor, and about the same on the second.
TPMM will take possession on May 1. There
is work to be done, including carpeting and setting up the museum displays.
The Texas Polka Music Museum (TPMM) will
feature exhibits showcasing instruments, pictures, costumes, artifacts and
histories of Texas Polka Bands and Polka DJ’s.
Opening
of the TPMM museum depends upon volunteer labor and finances, but may be about
year end. Volunteers are needed to
help get the museum up and running. TPMM
has been collecting Texas polka band memorabilia, but now that effort continues
in earnest. They are accepting items such as photos of bands with information
about the bands, recorded music, arrangements for the band performances, band
schedules, and more. They also need information about Texas Polka DJ’s and
Texas Polka song
writers. All donated items will be preserved and displayed with donor credits.
TPMM
donations are tax deductible and should be sent to:
Texas Polka Music Museum 7088 Creek Shadows Dr. Bryan, Texas 77808.
If
you would like to participate please contact Herb Schneider (281-807-3244); Glen
Chervenka (979-589-2600); any board member, or e-mail Texaspolkamuseum@aol.com.
See the web site at www.texaspolkamuseum.com.
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AOL
Internet Radio, in partnership with CBS Radio, began streaming polka music in
July 2009. Great news for internet polka listeners!
This new dedicated stream is at the request of AOL Music Director, Mary
McCann, who runs world music streams. McCann and the AOL Leadership
believe that AOL Radio is in need of polka music. Polka America
Corporation (PAC) is coordinating this effort. AOL Radio is immediately in need
of all styles of polka music as this program is starting up from scratch. CDs
sent in now will begin airplay on the largest and most-listened-to Internet
Radio group in the world. Please mail your CDs to Mary McCann, 303 1st
Street South, Suite 2, PMB 21, Yelm, WA 98597
Well
known polka musician Steve Meisner has this to say about this new program.
“The
Polka community has been outstanding rallying to the support of this new
Internet radio stream. It will be
unlike the very fine Internet Polka streams in existence already because it will
mix all the styles together all the time. The
up side is if you really want to hear one style of polka it just may turn up
next! You can put any station that
is playing on 'pause' plus you can skip songs that come on.
So if you don’t like the song that’s on you don’t have to sit
through it.
You
do not have to be a subscriber to AOL to listen and there is no charge to you to
listen. Here’s how you tune in
from your computer. Point your
Internet browser to: www.aolradio.com
and you’ll see a button on the page that says “Listen Now.”
Click that and a player pops up. There
will be a big column on the left hand side that says “Stations By Category.”
Polka will be in the category “World/International” at the bottom of
the alphabetical category listing.
For
further information on this program, contact AOL Music Director Mary McCann by
email at mary@thebonemama.com or call Polka America Corporation at 715-446-3098.
You can also send questions, comments or suggestions to PAC at info@polkaamericcorporation.org
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by
Alex Meixner
I
just wanted to let you know about a new website that is being developed for all
polka fans, musicians, promoters—pretty much anyone interested in polka music.
www.polkasunited.com
is a forum for people to communicate ideas and learn about what’s going on
with polka music. Although the site is just in its infancy, I think it’s
designed very well and could become a great place for fans throughout the nation
(and world for that matter) to share their views and check out stuff about the
music.
Personally,
I think this is a great idea and I look forward to taking part in some good
discussion about where our music is heading. Additionally- there are areas set
up to inquire about lyrics and music for songs- so musicians can help each other
to keep the traditions alive. Check out the site - and join in… I’m
really curious to see the interaction of fans from the Chicago Polish scene,
Texas Czech land, Cleveland Slovenians and… well, everyone… you might be
surprised about what’s out there!
With
the recent dissolution of the polka Grammy award, I think it’s time for those
of us with a vested interest in the continuation of this music to start
communicating in a setting like this… maybe we can make some positive action
happen and start working together in our various markets…
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Let's Go To Luchenbach Texas....
“Let’s
go to Luckenbach Texas, with Willie and Waylon and the boys…”
Yes
folks, the place that Willie Nelson helped make famous with his song really does
exist in the beautiful hill country of Texas near Fredericksburg, and they do
indeed dance there! So it’s high
time that TPN brings you the story. Luckenbach
is a dance hall, country store, biergarten, and gathering place nestled
alongside ranch Road RR1376, and it’s a happening!
The creation of local folklorist Hondo Crouch (who also has a joint in
downtown Fredericksburg named Hondo’s), Luckenbach serves as a Mecca of sorts
for both tourists and real Texans. It lives
up to its motto: “Everybody is
somebody in Luckenbach!”
The
dance hall is quintessential Texas, with wood panel “windows” that prop open
for the dances. Fans help keep the
dancers cool, and on this May evening the temperature is quite comfortable.
It has a great wood dance floor, adequately sized for the 10-15 dancing
couples on this night. The tables
are sturdy wood. Cold beer is
available in the country store, hamburgers and such in the adjacent kitchen.
Music on this Friday evening is classical country
and western swing, by Geronimo Trevino and his band.
Geronimo plays Luckenbach on a regular basis.
It’s great music, and great dancing, with occasional waltzes and polkas
supplementing the two-steps. Texas A&M graduate Geronimo is also author of
the book, “Dance Halls and Last Call,” documenting 114 old Texas dance
halls. He’s an interesting guy.
The non-dancers (including the bikers) hang out in the outside biergarten area. People mosey through the country store with its eclectic display of Texas stuff, some of which is exactly what you have always needed. It’s all part of the atmosphere. If you haven’t danced at Luckenbach, you might still be a nobody. But when you do, you’ll be a somebody. Because everybody is somebody at Luckenbach! Check out Luckenbach at www.luchenbacktexas.com. Check out Geronimo Trevino at www.geronimotrevino.com. Or just Google them both.
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We hope you enjoy this site and would like to hear from you. Send us an e-mail with your question, comment or suggestion.
Thanks for stopping by, and
remember…
“Polka Dancing is Aerobics with Beer!”
(updated 07/13/09)
E-mail John &
Marlys Rivard
jlrivard123@sbcglobal.net
Visitors since 1/13/04
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