Polka

Polka is a type of dance and genre of dance music; it originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia, and is still a common genre of Czech folk music; it is also common both in Europe and in the Americas. In classical music, many polkas were composed by both Johann Strauss I and his son Johann Strauss II; a couple of well-known ones were composed by Bedrich Smetana.

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The polka (a 2/4-beat dance of Czech origin) should not be confused with the polska (a Swedish 3/4-beat dance with Polish roots); cf. also polka-mazurka. A related dance is the redowa.

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There are various styles of contemporary polka. Of the US types, the North American "Polish-style polka" has roots in Chicago, Illinois, and can be identified as 'Chicago honky' and 'Chicago push' styles. This 'push' version or style of Polka features accordion, concertina, bass, drums, and (almost always) two trumpets. The 'honky' variation of this style uses clarinet and one trumpet, accordion is almost never used in this setting. North American "Slovenian-style polka" is fast and features piano, accordion, and is associated with Cleveland. North American "Dutchman-style" features an oom-pah sound, often with a tuba, and has roots in the American Midwest. "Conjunto-style" has roots in Northern Mexico and Texas, and is also called Norte?o. In the 1980s and 1990s several bands began to combine polka with various rock styles, sometimes referred to as "punk polka", "alternative polka" or "San Francisco-style".

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Dance: Dance (from Old French dance, further history unknown) generally refers to human movement either used as a form of expression (see also body language) or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting....

Genre: A genre is a division of a particular form of art according to criteria particular to that form. In all art forms, genres are vague categories with no fixed boundaries. Genres are formed by sets of conventions, and many works cross into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these conve...

Dance music: Dance music is music composed, played, or both, specifically to accompany social dancing. It can be either the whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement....

Polka related Images and Photos (experimental)

Polka Dot Poppies	Polka Dot Poppies	Polka Dot Dog Socks	Polka Dot Flower Pot IV
Polka Dot Bikini 1950s	Providence Pink Polka Dot Outfit Prop	Betty Boop Polka Dot Swimsuit Statue	The Celebrated Polka Song Sheet 1840
Polka Mania: an Accomplished Couple Excite Admiration in a Ballroom	Van Johnson Wearing a Polka Dot Shirt Late 1940s	Portrait of Debra Messing Wearing Polka Dot Dress by Tracy and Michael April 8 2005