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 376 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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The
Texas Music Museum in Austin has just completed special exhibits focusing on
German and Czech contributions to Texas music.
The
Czech exhibit, Muziky
Muziky, was on display in May. The
German exhibit, Musikfest,
will be on display continuing into July. The
Czech and German contributions are presented through photos, biographies, maps,
and fascinating artifacts, all of which illuminate the historical and cultural
significance of German and Czech music in Texas.
The
German exhibit includes immigration histories, rare memorabilia, and music
collections, such as German sheet music, reproducing piano rolls, original
recordings from the early 1900’s, and one of the first accordions used for
performance in Texas, dating from the turn of the century. The Czech
portion of the exhibit focuses on early Texas Czech Bands, folk songs, and dance
halls, as well as the more recent Texas Czech bands.
The
Texas Music Museum is at 1009 E 11th St, in Austin.
Operated by volunteers, it’s open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. M-F for
self-guided tours. Call
512-472-8891, and see the web at www.texasmusicmuseum.com.
Watch the website for the pending addition of
“virtual” Czech and German gallery.
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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, will begin streaming polka music
late June 2009. This new dedicated stream is at the request of AOL Music
Director, Mary McCann, who runs world music streams. It is both hers, and
the AOL Leadership’s point of view, that AOL Radio is in need of polka music.
Polka America Corporation 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 immediately begin airplay
in late June 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. This
opportunity with AOL Radio is enhanced through CD sales with All Music
Guide. AOLRadio.com listeners can click through to AllMusicGuide.com and
purchase the music they are listening to.
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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Good wood dance floor in a 106 year old structure filled with dancing history. Friendly folk. Good classic country music with waltzes and polkas added to the mix. A beautiful setting in the Texas hill country northeast of Boerne. The charm of a small Texas community carrying on its traditions. Where can you find it? In Kendalia, where the historic Kendalia Halle opens monthly on Saturday nights for its faithful and visitors from the outside world. Never heard of it? Well, that’s why you need to read on.
Kendalia is a little community at the intersection of Ranch Road 473 and Hwy 3351. Among its attributes is a general store (worth checking out), and the historic Kendalia Dance Halle. The hall is a wood structure built in 1903 to serve the community as the Nicholas Syring Musical Club. At one time there was a bowling alley, a barbershop and a cotton gin by the hall. The hall was used for community activities, receptions and weddings, reunions and school plays.
In the fashion of early Texas dance halls, the wood “windows” prop open to provide ventilation, aided by the overhead fans. The hall is heated in the winter months. The wood dance floor is very good, and easy on the legs as it “floats” on the supporting elevated joists. The red fir wood used to build the hall was shipped from Oregon to Boerne, then by horse and wagon to Kendalia. The inside walls have been paneled in knotty pine, giving a warm and clean look to the old structure, is spite of its tin roof. Additional trusses have been added to the roof supporting system, and the structure appears sound and ready for another 100 years!
Kendalia Halle is operated by Lee and Judi Temple, who bought the Halle in 1993. Judi is everywhere during the evening, tending to the business of operating a dance hall and providing the free BBQ from the outside grille. The Temples keep the Halle well maintained, although it is definitely on the “rustic” side. The inside decorations mounted on the paneled walls include the usual eclectic display of beer signs, old tools, deer heads, and even a large reproduction of the classic floating skirt photo of Marilyn Monroe. It looks a little out of place, but who gets tired of looking at Marilyn?
Want more info about Kendalia Halle? We’ll leave that up to you, as part of your continuing Texas education. Check it out at www.kendaliahall.com. And then do your own field trip! Help keep the Kendalia tradition! Aren’t you glad you live in Texas?
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Moving
to ensure that its awards show remains what it called "pertinent within the
current musical landscape," the National Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences announced June 4 it is eliminating its “best polka album”
category. Too bad, but hardly
devastating! The Grammy Award did
give polka music some recognition and an air of respectability that will be
missed. On the other hand, the
absence of a polka Grammy will not be a deterrent to the many thousands of fans
who hold polka music near and dear.
Let’s
examine why the Grammy is gone. The
first (and most important) reason is that most of the voting members of the
Academy are ignorant about the joy of polka music.
In short, they couldn’t care less!
Polka simply isn’t in their world.
Also, the total number of annual entries has been only about 20,
according to the Academy announcement. They
view this (perhaps correctly) as a lack of general interest.
Then too, the Polka Grammy award has been dominated by one artist (Jimmy
Sturr), which an outsider could interpret (incorrectly) as a lack of
competition. These factors may have
contributed to the decision by the Academy to drop the award.
So,
goodbye Grammy! Opportunity lost,
but not the end of the world. Polka
fans need to forget about it, and get on with the business of promoting polka.
Here’s how. First, stop the
infighting about what is the best genre of polka music.
Polish, Slovenian, Czech, German and more are all legitimate styles of
the music we love. It’s great to
have a favorite, but it’s harmful – and totally unnecessary - to tear down
the others. Resolve to speak only
good about polka music. Second, recognize
that polka provincialism is destructive too.
What is polka provincialism? It’s
the mistaken belief that polka was invented and only exists in your particular
part of the United States. Polka is
national, folks. And it’s all
good! Third,
continue to support your local polka dances and the major US festivals. Fourth,
support the two national polka shows on TV (Jimmy Sturr, Big Joe), the internet
shows, and your local polka radio shows. Spread
the word about your favorites.
So Goodbye Grammy. Let’s get back to having fun!
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Polka & Patriotism - the Fourth of July
Sure, there are all sorts of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July! But for those who like polka music, one of the best is to attend the polka dance of your choice. The Fourth is on a Saturday this year, so it can be part of a great weekend! There are several special dances from which to choose.
The Fourth of July is the day for the
big St. John’s Picnic, with music by the Shiner Hobo Band (10:45-1) and then
Czech & Then Some, the Red Ravens and the Dujka Brothers from 1-11 p.m.
This has become a Texas tradition, folks, commemorated in song by the
Dujka Brothers hit, “Grandpa Drank Too Much at the St. John’s Picnic.”
Speaking of tradition, Round Top will
hold their 159th Independence Day celebration beginning at 10 a.m., the Round
Top Brass Band in concert 12-4, and concluding with the dance 4-8 p.m. inside
the Riflemen’s Association Hall with music by the Donnie Wavra
Orchestra. Over in Kenny (on 36 north of Bellville), it will be the
Central Texas Sounds teaming with Dan & the Country Boys, for the
traditional Kenny Hall Fourth of July dance, music 2-7 p.m.
How long has it been since you’ve been to historic Kenny Hall?
But since July 4th is a
Saturday, there are some “regular” Saturday night dances too.
See the Texas Dance Calendar in The Texas Polka News for all your
choices.
Polka, patriotism and the Fourth of
July. The best of Texas!
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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 06/16/09)
E-mail John &
Marlys Rivard
jlrivard123@sbcglobal.net
Visitors since 1/13/04
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