I typed in “Polka” and clicked on the “Polka Tag Radio” button.   Here’s the direct link:  http://www.last.fm/listen/globaltags/polka#pane=webRadioPlayer&station=%252Flisten%252Fglobaltags%252Fpolka

This is what I found:

1. They have a neat feature where you can skip a song if it’s not what you like.
2. Most of the songs I listened to were either from the 50′s, Mexican-Polka flavor, or had a heavy Eastern European sound to it.  There was also one “punk” song that played.  I didn’t hear any current “US” version Polkas.  I did only listen through 12 songs, however.
3. The only Polkas that I recognized were “The Polka Kiss” by Glenn Miller and the “Helena Polka” by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra.
4. An account is free, and you can create your own radio station.
5. You can only listen to a song 5 times before it prompts you to pay to download the song.

Overall … the website wasn’t my cup of tea … but, again, I only listened to a handful of songs, and the songs are tagged by fellow listeners who have their own style of Polka they like.  For now, I’ll stick to my “real” radio and pop in a nice polka cassette when I’m in the car.

Here’s a sampling of what was on the Last.FM Polka Radio station:

  Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra

George Baker Selection

Vermillion Lies

Viljo Vesterinen

Gilbert Bécaud

If you have tried Last.FM, I’d love to hear your comments.  Please use the comment form below

A great site to visit for next year’s Dyngus Day information, the history of Dyngus Day, and some great pictures and videos is http://dyngusdaybuffalo.com/

What is Dyngus Day In Buffalo (Video)?

For a nice article on Dyngus Day, click on http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/largest_dyngus_day_squirt_guns_20090408

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

Thanks to my good friend and daughter-in-law’s sister, Tina, for forwarding this to me! I put my little twist on it in italics just for fun
If you see this Polka Dancer turning in clockwise to polka music, you are using your right brain (and like Polka Music fast and furious).
If you see it her turning the other way, you are using left brain (and sometimes like to dance polkas slow and romantic).
Some people do see both ways, but most people see it only one way. See if you can make her go one way and then the other by shifting the brain’s current.

BOTH DIRECTIONS CAN BE SEEN. Experimentation has shown that the two different sides or hemispheres of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. The following table illustrates the differences between left-brain and right-brain thinking:

Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain activities. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity. If you look away, the polka dancer may switch from one direction to the other. I found that if I just look at her feet or relax and look at the floor where the reflection shows, she will switch direction!

It’s a great way for you to post links to neat sites, post random thoughts, questions, trivia.  It seems that the possibilities are endless really. Once you get in you start to find yourself almost in a large chat room where you can talk to others.   Twitter is great for networking with others and developing relationships with people you would normally not know and let them know about your website … and in my case what POLKA DANCES I’m heading out to !

The hard part, of course, is always keeping it up to date … I’ll let you know how I make out and if I like using it ….

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

Polka Rascals Polka Show (-(WVKR 91.3 FM) Saturdays 9-11 AM EST with Mike Skok and Terri Jo Arensman-WVKR.ORG

“The Natalie Gubala Polka Fun Show” with “Nat the Cat” WTBQ 1110 AM Sundays 10-11am (WTBQ is also on 99.1 FM) – WTBQ.com
“Polka Session” with Jimmy Sturr WTBQ AM Sundays 11-12 Noon

Polka Rascals Monday Night Edition-(WVKR 91.3FM) 7-9pm with Tom & Cindy Zak – WVKR.ORG