Polka

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The polka is a lively Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in the Czech lands and is still a common genre in Lithuanian, Czech, Croatian, Slovenian, Polish, German, Hungarian, Austrian, Italian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian, and Slovakian folk music. Versions are also found in the Nordic countries, the British Isles and Latin America, especially Mexico. The basic polka step consists of a preparatory hop followed by a chasse done first to the left and then to the right. The Polka is primarily a fast dance. It is danced to music written in 2/4 time with the first beat more heavily accented. Polka music may also be written in 4/4 time. It is generally danced to a quick, quick, slow rhythm. There are various styles of contemporary polka. One of the types found in the United States is the North American "Polish-style polka," which has roots in Chicago; two sub-styles are the 'Chicago honky' (using clarinet and one trumpet) and 'Chicago push' featuring the accordion, Chemnitzer & Star concertinas, upright bass or bass guitar, drums, and (almost always) two trumpets. North American "Slovenian-style polka" is fast and features piano accordion, chromatic accordion, and/or diatonic button box accordion; it is associated with Cleveland.

Info was found at these links:

http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/polka_steps.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polka

Join us for the best polka show ever broadcast, Saturday�s at 6 PM with your host Bee Billy Bob, on CKJS.com or CKJS 810 AM Radio (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada). Learn the Artists, Tempos, Styles and the basics of Polka!

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