Download or read book A Passion for Polka written by Victor Greene and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2023-12-22 with total page 608 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Not so long ago, songs by the Andrews Sisters and Lawrence Welk blasted from phonographs, lilted over the radio, and dazzled television viewers across the country. Lending star quality to the ethnic music of Poles, Italians, Slovaks, Jews, and Scandinavians, luminaries like Frankie Yankovic, the Polka King, and "Whoopee John" Wilfart became household names to millions of Americans. In this vivid and engaging book, Victor Greene uncovers a wonderful corner of American social history as he traces the popularization of old-time ethnic music from the turn of the century to the 1960s. Drawing on newspaper clippings, private collections, ethnic societies, photographs, recordings, and interviews with musicians and promoters, Greene chronicles the emergence of a new mass culture that drew heavily on the vivid color, music, and dance of ethnic communities. In this story of American ethnic music, with its countless entertainers performing never-forgotten tunes in hundreds of small cities around the country, Greene revises our notion of how many Americans experienced cultural life. In the polka belt, extending from Connecticut to Nebraska and from Texas up to Minnesota and the Dakotas, not only were polkas, laendlers, schottisches, and waltzes a musical passion, but they shone a scintillating new light on the American cultural landscape. Greene follows the fortunes of groups like the Gold Chain Bohemians, illuminating the development of an important segment of American popular music that fed the craze for international dance music. And even though old-time music declined in the 1960s, overtaken by rock and roll, a new Grammy for the polka was initiated in 1986. In its ebullience and vitality, the genre endures.
Download or read book The First Polka written by Horst Bienek and published by San Francisco : Fjord Press. This book was released on 1984 with total page 338 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book America s Polka King written by Bob Dolgan and published by Gray & Company, Publishers. This book was released on 2006 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For half a century Frank Yankovic wowed polka fans around the globe with hits such as ?Just Because? and ?The Blue Skirt Waltz.? He traveled the country, sold millions of records, and won the first Polka Grammy. The Cleveland native found fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams. But behind the happy sounds of the accordion stood a man obsessed with trying to please himself and the ones he loved. With a tumultuous touring schedule that consisted of 200 shows a year, a restless temper and three failed marriages, Yankovic found himself being distanced from reality. Author Bob Dolgan delves into the life of America's Polka king and tells the tale of not only a musician, but of a man struggling for happiness.
Download or read book Polka Heartland written by Rick March and published by Wisconsin Historical Society. This book was released on 2015-10-20 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Polka Heartland" captures the beat that pulses in the heart of Midwestern culture--the polka--and offers up the fascinating history of how "oompah-pah" came to be the sound of middle America. From the crowded dance tent at Pulaski Polka Days to an off-the-grid Mexican polka dance in small-town Wisconsin, "Polka Heartland" explores the people, places, and history behind the Midwest's favorite music. From polka's surprising origin story as a cutting-edge European fad to an exploration of the modern-day polka scene, author Rick March and photographer Dick Blau take readers on a joyful romp through this beloved, unique, and richly storied genre. "Polka Heartland" describes the artists, venues, instruments, and music-makers who have been pivotal to polka's popularity across the Midwest and offers six full-color photo galleries to immerse readers in today's vibrant polka scene.
Download or read book Baby Danced the Polka written by Karen Beaumont and published by Dial Books. This book was released on 2004 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Instead of napping, baby dances with the farm animals.
Download or read book The Clarinet Polka written by Keith Maillard and published by Macmillan. This book was released on 2014-05-27 with total page 574 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Author Keith Maillard received critical acclaim with his novel Gloria, which told the story of a young woman on the cusp of womanhood in a town called Raysburg, West Virginia. In this book, The Clarinet Polka, Maillard turns that same eagle-eyed attention to the other side of the tracks of that very same town and creates a stunning portrait of Polish America and of one man's struggle to find meaning in his life and roots. The year is 1969, and young Jimmy Koprowski returns from his stint in the airforce to Raysburg, his blue-collar Polish American hometown where nothing much happens beyond working at the steel mill, going to Mass, and getting drunk at the local PAC. Jimmy's efforts at rebuilding his life result in sleeping off hangovers in his parents' attic and drifting into a destructive affair with a married woman. But things change when his younger sister Linda decides to start an all-girl polka band, and Jimmy falls for the band's star clarinetist, Janice, whose young life is haunted by tragic events that happened before she was born. The threads of Jimmy's family life, the legacy of WWII Poland, and the healing power of music, language, and tradition all begin to converge. At once gritty and compassionate, moving and witty, The Clarinet Polka showcases the emotional and perfectly pitched voice of a lost soul finding his way.
Download or read book Piggies in a Polka written by Kathi Appelt and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This book was released on 2003 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pigs dance the night away when a polka band plays at the annual hootenanny.
Download or read book The Amalgamation Polka written by Stephen Wright and published by Little, Brown. This book was released on 2020-01-07 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Civil War novel unlike any other: the story of a young man's journey through a nation blasted apart. Born in 1844, Liberty Fish is the descendant of both Carolina slaveholders and New York abolitionists. In hopes of reconciling the warring strands of his heritage, he escapes his home in the North -- first into the cauldron of the Civil War, and then into the even more disturbing bedlam that follows. The Amalgamation Polka showcases not only the brutality of this tragic passage in American history, but also its surprising compassion and hope. In language both true to its time and completely modern, it is revelatory and mesmerizing, a novel that "will bring a smile to your own lips as it sets your brain on fire." (Jason McBride, the Village Voice).
Download or read book Barnum s Baby Show Polka written by and published by . This book was released on 1855 with total page 6 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Subject: Image of a large hall filled with women, infants and toddlers.
Download or read book Weird Al written by Nathan Rabin and published by Abrams. This book was released on 2012-10-01 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A “fun and colorful” biography of the accordion-toting comedy legend—with rare photos, lyrics, lists, tweets, and more from Al himself (Publishers Weekly). The undisputed king of pop-culture parody, “Weird Al” Yankovic has sold more comedy recordings than any other artist in history, receiving three Grammy Awards (and fourteen nominations) in the process. This is a comprehensive illustrated tribute to this icon of the American humor landscape, the man behind such classics as “Eat It,” “Amish Paradise,” and “White & Nerdy.” Covering more than three decades of hilarious songs, videos, and concert performances, and his life story in words and pictures—and featuring an introduction, lists, tweets, and photo captions from Yankovic himself—Weird Al: The Book is the ultimate companion piece to an extraordinary career. “Part biography and part pop culture museum . . . a treat.” —Huffington Post
Download or read book The Nuts Sing and Dance in Your Polka Dot Pants written by Eric Litwin and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. This book was released on 2015-09-22 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Another playful and winning story by the author of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes! Hazel Nut wants her family to sing and dance along with her, but they are just too busy! Who can she call? Why... her super-hip, disco-dancing Grandma Nut! In the second book of the Nuts series, Eric Litwin's playful call-and-response rhymes and Scott Magoon's hilarious illustrations invite readers young and old to join in on the fun.
Download or read book Vampires Don t Wear Polka Dots The Bailey School Kids 1 written by Debbie Dadey and published by Scholastic Inc.. This book was released on 2021-12-07 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The hugely popular early chapter book series re-emerges -- now in e-book! The kids in the third grade at Bailey Elementary are so hard to handle that all of their teachers have quit. But their new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, is different to say the least. She's just moved from the Transylvanian Alps and she seems to have some strange powers that help her deal with these mischief-makers. Her methods may be a little unconventional, but, then again, Mrs. Jeepers may be just what the Bailey School kids need.
Download or read book Patternalia written by Jude Stewart and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2015-10-13 with total page 157 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the author and designer of "ROY G. BIV," a delightful, fully illustrated new volume on patterns, from polka dots to plaid: their histories, cultural resonances, and hidden meanings.
Download or read book Harry Smith s Anthology of American Folk Music written by Ross Hair and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2016-12-08 with total page 279 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Released in 1952, The Anthology of American Folk Music was the singular vision of the enigmatic artist, musicologist, and collector Harry Smith (1923–1991). A collection of eighty-four commercial recordings of American vernacular and folk music originally issued between 1927 and 1932, the Anthology featured an eclectic and idiosyncratic mixture of blues and hillbilly songs, ballads old and new, dance music, gospel, and numerous other performances less easy to classify. Where previous collections of folk music, both printed and recorded, had privileged field recordings and oral transmission, Smith purposefully shaped his collection from previously released commercial records, pointedly blurring established racial boundaries in his selection and organisation of performances. Indeed, more than just a ground-breaking collection of old recordings, the Anthology was itself a kind of performance on the part of its creator. Over the six decades of its existence, however, it has continued to exert considerable influence on generations of musicians, artists, and writers. It has been credited with inspiring the North American folk revival—"The Anthology was our bible", asserted Dave Van Ronk in 1991, "We all knew every word of every song on it"—and with profoundly influencing Bob Dylan. After its 1997 release on CD by Smithsonian Folkways, it came to be closely associated with the so-called Americana and Alt-Country movements of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Following its sixtieth birthday, and now available as a digital download and rereleased on vinyl, it is once again a prominent icon in numerous musical currents and popular culture more generally. This is the first book devoted to such a vital piece of the large and complex story of American music and its enduring value in American life. Reflecting the intrinsic interdisciplinarity of Smith’s original project, this collection contains a variety of new perspectives on all aspects of the Anthology.
Download or read book Cross Step Waltz written by Richard Powers and published by Redowa Press. This book was released on 2019-11-23 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cross-Step Waltz is one of the newest social dance forms, spreading quickly because it's easy to learn yet endlessly innovative, satisfying for both beginners and the most experienced dancers. It rotates and travels like the original waltz, but the addition of the cross-step opens up a wide range of playful yet gracefully flowing variations. In this comprehensive dancer's guide to Cross-Step Waltz, you will learn: ● How to dance more than 250 variations of Cross-Step Waltz, including basics, turns, grapevines, pivots, Tango-inspired figures, variations in cradle and shadow position, and ways to conclude a dance with flair. ● How to become a better dance partner, whether you dance as a Lead, a Follow, or both. ● How to dance more musically, and how to create your own Cross-Step Waltz variations. ● How to dance Cross-Step Waltz to a wide variety of music, and how to transition between Cross-Step Waltz and other dances. ● Finally, in a series of essays by our students, you'll learn how dancing Cross-Step Waltz can change your life! In addition to being fully described in writing, each of the 250+ variations is illustrated by a demo video on a companion website.
Download or read book Polka King written by Jimmy Sturr and published by BenBella Books, Inc.. This book was released on 2013-04-16 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Arguably the most important polka practitioner of his generation, reedist/vocalist Jimmy Sturr has won an eye-popping 18 Grammy Awards, and when you hear his exuberant brand of the music that is his heart and soul, you'll understand why. Blending the timeless elements of traditional polka music with hints of country, Cajun, and rock and roll, Sturr's unique sound has taken polka to new heights of accessibility and popularity, and his modernized renditions of polka standards and renditions of rock classics have captured the imagination (and feet) of listeners throughout the world. In his memoir Polka King, you'll meet the man behind the beer barrel. In his lively, oftentimes hilarious literary debut, Jimmy chronicles how a small-town boy from tiny Florida, N.Y., made good, ultimately becoming a respected bandleader, entrepreneur, and Grammy winner with guest appearances on Saturday Night Live. He'll take you into the recording studio and onto the stage, where he's shared the microphone with the likes of Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Charlie Daniels. Featuring forewords by Willie Nelson, Bobby Vinton, and “Whispering" Bill Anderson, Polka King will introduce the world to a one-of-a-kind artist who has taken one of the world's most beloved musical genres and made it his own.
Download or read book Polka Happiness written by Charles Keil and published by . This book was released on 1996-03-01 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Celebrating the lively dance music that draws together generations of Polish Americans, Polka Happiness captures the energy, excitement, and shared sense of belonging embodied in polka sociability. With rich descriptive material and 150 historical and contemporary illustrations, the book focuses on the musicians, the fans and the cultural institutions that keep the polka party going. From family gatherings and weddings to local fan clubs, night spots and churches to national and regional festivals, the polka scene is a year-round carnival, full of high jinks, hilarity, ethnic pride and tears-an intensely felt experience drawn from sources deep in Polish America.The testimony of musicians and fans, old timers and young enthusiasts, tells how polka culture has resisted the melting pot for more than a century. Interviews, memorabilia and photographs spotlight the stars of the polka world-Li'l Wally, Walt Solek, Eddie Blazonczyk, Frankie Yankovic, the Dyna-Tones-as well as the many regional favorites in Buffalo, Milwaukee and Chicago that have delighted millions of fans.Polka Happiness chronicles the immense popularity of the music in nineteenth century Europe and its enduring popularity in the United States. After tracing the history of polka's spread throughout the world, the authors focus on the emergence and intense rivalry of the Chicago and Eastern styles in the United States. The book also traces the role of the International Polka Association in establishing networks, promoting events and providing an environment in which Polish Americans can celebrate and nourish their cultural heritage.For twenty years, the authors have been part of the social world of polka music and dancing in the bars, church halls and ballrooms of Rust Belt America; their exuberant descriptions reflect the enthusiasm of wholehearted participants. Author note: Charles Keil is Professor of American Studies at State University of New York, Buffalo, and the author of Tiv Song and Urban Blues. >P>Angeliki V. Keil is a writer and researcher and the compiler of an autobiography of Markos Vamvakaris. >P>Dick Blau is Professor of Film at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
