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 384 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 over 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 through 1998. 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: Harry Czarnek remebered, Vernon Drozd, 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), Jimmy Brosch, and the Dujka Brothers.
I write a monthly Texas Dancing column in The Texas Polka News. Now those articles (since 2007) have been provided here for your review.
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 Legends of Western Swing event, 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: Stop the Insanity, Obamacare - Does It Make Sense?, Can Common Sense Save Our Republic?, Health Care Costs, Obamacare, 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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by Glen Chervenka,
President Texas Polka Music Museum
In
a world of change, there’s comfort knowing that Sefcik Hall is still there,
that the Hall’s Sunday night dances still continue, and that Alice Sulak still
runs the tavern and dance hall that her father, Tom Sefcik, built in 1923.
Born
and raised in Sefcik Hall in the east Bell county community of Seaton, Alice
Sefcik Sulak has spent her life in music and Sefcik Hall. Alice
grew up in Sefcik Hall, listening to the Baca’s, Majek’s, Migl’s and other
polka bands while helping with the family business. At the age of 11 she
started playing drums in her sister’s band, Adela
and the Music Masters. The band
consisted of Adela Urubek on accordion, Alice on drums, Jerry Adamek on base,
and Julius Dubcak on trumpet. Later James Psencik played trumpet. Alice
and Adela also did the singing. They played every week somewhere in the area,
earning about $5 each for a dance in the 50’s. Soon Alice bought her first
saxophone. Unlike her sister Adela,
Alice had no musical training, so Alice learned by ear. Adela would play a tune
one time, and then Alice knew the song. Alice admits “I don’t know a single
note!”
Their
band was in great demand in the 50’s. They played at Sefcik Hall (home) a lot
of the time. They traveled in a car
and a small trailer because they only had a small amount of equipment. As was
usual in those days, they played live on Sunday for the Czech Melody Hour on
Temple’s KTEM radio. During the early 60’s Alice played sax and sang with Otis
Beck and the Melody Five in the local area for about five years. Since then,
Alice has played the sax (her 4th one) and sang Czech polka and
waltzes with Jerry Haisler and the Melody
Five.
Alice
tells of her dad, Tom Sefcik, selling mainly Pearl beer in the bar. They had the
bottles iced down such that the labels came off. So everyone got Pearl! Alice
remembers her dad telling of a patron coming in and asking for a Budweiser;
after drinking a Pearl without a label, he said “best Bud I ever had.” Alice
added air conditioning to Sefcik Hall in the 80’s and closed the open air
shutters that had been in use since 1923. But the historic bar downstairs, and
much of the hall remain unchanged.
Today, Alice Sulak still sings and plays her sax. She will not tell her age. Asked if middle 70’s might be close, she said “that would be OK.” One thing is certain; Alice is still playing and singing Czech polka and waltz music. Alice, we wish you many more years. For information on Sefcik Hall, call Alice Sulak at 254-985-2356, or write her at 800 Seaton Road, Temple, TX 76501. The Hall is south of Hwy 53, about a dozen miles east of temple.
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The
Dujka Brothers: The Polka Gospel according to John and Mark
Every Texas polka fan knows the Dujka Brothers, right? Sure, John & Mark, the two brothers originally from the East Bernard area. The two guys who make all that great music, just by themselves. Sure, we all know the Dujka Brothers! But how well do we know the Dujka Brothers? How did they get their start? What and who influenced their career? Who are they, really, and how do just two guys make all that music? Back about 1999, The Texas Polka News went looking for answers by talking to John and Mark Dujka. Here’s what we found, updated.
John (45) and Mark (41), the children of William Dujka and Mary Lou Brossman, were raised in farm country near Tavener, TX. William Dujka, one of 15 children in a 2nd-generation Czech family, met and married the very German Mary Lou Brossman from Schulenburg. The Dujkas were a hard-working conservative farm family, the kind of people who have made this nation great. But the family also had another attribute - musical talent - largely from the Brossman side. Grandfather Herman Brossman played the accordion and Grandmother Clara played the organ at St. John’s Church in Schulenburg. The musical talent passed down through daughter Mary Lou to both John and Mark, but the heritage goes beyond that. In the dedication for their first recording in 1992, the Dujka Brothers said, “We also dedicate this tape to the memory of Grandpa Herman Brossman, the greatest accordion man we ever knew, and to Aunt Delores ‘Tootsi’ Brossman, who taught us all how to dance and enjoy life.” They continued, “Of course, we owe everything to Mom and Dad for giving us so much love and support. Thanks for allowing us time away from the cotton fields to develop as musicians.”
These quotes are very revealing of the two, hard-working young men with a great work ethic, a firm understanding of who they are, and a dedication to music. John and Mark grew up in the Wallis-Orchard school district, attending Brazos High School. They worked the cotton fields, and both tell the story about their parents’ insistence that music have its place, even if the cotton had to wait. Dad would say, “Come home, practice your piano, then come to the field and help us,” recalls John.
John began playing the piano pre-school, starting lessons in first grade. “I played everything they put in front of me,” says John, who went on to play piano, trombone, trumpet and tuba in school. He went on to the University of Houston, studying “piano performance” and graduating in 1990 with a Masters degree. The Dujka brothers began performing in High School, with John playing for Al Sulak & The Country Sounds (Sulak just happened to also be the High School Band Director). Mark learned the piano, accordion, sax, guitar and bass. John began playing solo in 1977, along the way purchasing a portable Yamaha organ with bass pedal and drum box. This instrument was the genesis of the electronic accompaniment which now characterizes their music.
The brothers first played together in 1986. Their interest in polka music was reawakened by the 1986 passing of Grandfather Brossman. They also began using emerging technology to capture their own music as accompaniment while performing. This resulted in the electronic equipment that now bolsters their sound into that of a full band. “Everything that you hear is us!” say Mark, laying to rest the concern of some purists. “We play every note. We just use technology to expand our ability to perform.” John adds, “All our music is being generated at the moment we perform.” The Dujka Brothers have six recordings, all available on CD and some still available on cassettes. They include Czech and German vocals, in tribute to their heritage.
John
now teaches music at Blinn College in Brenham while he and wife Julie are
raising their family of three. They
also do the polka radio show “Saturday Morning Dance Time” from KULP El
Campo 1390 AM, 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Mark
went to Southwest Texas State University, majored in Agribusiness, and operated
the family farm until 2004. He then
went on to become Assistant Vice President at the First National Bank in Eagle
Lake. Mark & wife Suzanne
have one daughter.
John and Mark look forward to continuing to spread the “good news” of polka music. That’s good news for polka fans in Texas. For info on the Dujka Brothers, call John at 409-830-4249 in Brenham, or e-mail at jdujka@cebridge.net.
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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 11/17/09)
E-mail John &
Marlys Rivard
jlrivard123@sbcglobal.net
Visitors since 1/13/04
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