Going way, way out on a limb here. Beginning of next month I will be in Krakow with my adult daughter. My wife says she will join us on holiday only if I can find a bar in Krakov where she can learn to Polka. Does anyone know of a bar that demonstrates how to Polka?
Posted by
Barcelona ☀️ Sweden ❄️
3904 posts
From how I understand it the polka is actually not from Poland.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8443 posts
You can always ask your hotel. When we were there, we talked to guides and locals about listening to music. They said that like every other European country, they listen to Europop, not the old folk music stuff. They said, that Polka-style is played mostly for American tourists. Yes, I also understand Polka is of Czech origin.
PS there's a lot of similarity to the Texas two-step, but with more circular movement. I'd suggest going to any of the major Polish festivals in the US to get a good look at it.
Posted by
170 posts
The Krakowiak, the Mazur (Mazurka), Polonez (Polonaise), the Kujawiak, and the Oberek are the national dances of Poland. I never saw anyone dance the polka in my many weeks of visiting Poland. I love to polka! Learn it in the USA.
I received a video of my young cousin's prom in a small town in Poland. The students all danced the Polonaise. They looked so sophisticated. Contrast that to the USA.
Posted by
1 posts
I looked into the relationship of Polka and Poland and found that it's more Polish-American than Polish. In fact, its origins are likely Austria. So, in Poland you may not find anyone who knows what the Polka is!
Posted by
2328 posts
"According to the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, the polka originated in Bohemia around 1830 as a round-dance, and became popular throughout Europe and in America in the course of the 19th century."