Polka Stella » Polka Music http://www.polkastella.com Polka Music and Polkas Tue, 03 May 2011 21:39:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Documentary on Native American Polka Music debuts on PBS http://www.polkastella.com/documentary-on-native-american-polka-music-debuts-on-pbs/ http://www.polkastella.com/documentary-on-native-american-polka-music-debuts-on-pbs/#comments Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:38:47 +0000 Polka Stella http://www.polkastella.com/?p=243 The history of Polka Music among Native American Indians and its founding fathers are the subject of a new documentary for public television, “Waila! Making the People Happy,” a co-production of Daniel Golding and the Independent Television Service. The film has also been produced in association with Eight/KAET and Native American Public Telecommunications. “Waila!” is being released to PBS stations across the nation starting in April. Check your local PBS station for air dates and times.

For a complete report, please visit: http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/living/artsandentertainment/42260667.html

]]> http://www.polkastella.com/documentary-on-native-american-polka-music-debuts-on-pbs/feed/ 0 NY Times Article – Say it Aint So … http://www.polkastella.com/ny-times-article-say-it-aint-so/ http://www.polkastella.com/ny-times-article-say-it-aint-so/#comments Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:30:36 +0000 Polka Stella http://www.polkastella.com/2008/01/27/ny-times-article-say-it-aint-so/ This is a nice little article that tells me at least a few things … Polkas are alive and well (Amen!) and Polka Music has a wide range of fans and followers, and that you don’t need to be Polish to love Polkas.

The article focuses on Czech Polkas in Nebraska, but alot of the things written can be applied to all different parts of the country.  Here are some of my favorite quotes from this article”

“Polka reflects their lives: their sense of humor and romance, and what they remember of Czech family ritual.”

Playing polka isn’t a living, although it could have been in the 1970s, when dances were much more plentiful.   “It’s a getaway from normal life,” said Mike Helgesen, 60, the Vyhlidal band’s tenor saxophonist.  Mr. Vyhlidal added: “A lot of it is about the heritage. Keeping it going. There are songs we know that have been around for a hundred years, and they’re still being played.”

“Polka people are happier people,” “I don’t think you see anyone around here with a long face.”

Long Live Polkas!!!  Stel

]]> http://www.polkastella.com/ny-times-article-say-it-aint-so/feed/ 0 Perfecting the polka (Vero Beach Polish American Club article) http://www.polkastella.com/perfecting-the-polka-vero-beach-polish-american-club-article/ http://www.polkastella.com/perfecting-the-polka-vero-beach-polish-american-club-article/#comments Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:38:58 +0000 Polka Stella http://www.polkastella.com/2008/01/16/perfecting-the-polka-vero-beach-polish-american-club-article/ There’s a great article that appears in the Treasure Post Palm Beach Newspaper that features Bob and Dee Hoffman. Like they say, “It’s invigorating,” he said. “It gives us goosebumps, while other American dances don’t.”

Read the full article here ]]> http://www.polkastella.com/perfecting-the-polka-vero-beach-polish-american-club-article/feed/ 0