Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum Hosts Tour Group from Houston

The Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum (PLCTM) located at 275 W. Fairgrounds Road, opened in La Grange in 2005 as the ultimate polka fan’s tribute to the music and dance that continues to rock our state, nation, and world. The museum features memorabilia, donor recognitions, photo displays, videos, instruments, and an extensive library of music and records dating back to the early 1900s.

Museum leaders have sharpened their tools to create impressive, innovative and creative ideas of preserving, promoting and educating the entire world on not only the history of, but the ongoing energy, outrageous fun and joy of polka music and dance. Leaders began offering polka and waltz instructions during events hosted in 2024.

The passion for happy dancing is catching on in La Grange. Recently a group of 40 requested a tour to learn about Czech culture and requested a demonstration on polka dancing.

Forty members of Steve Fang’s Houston Morning Exercise Group, were transported to the City of La Grange Fairgrounds in a Harris County Precinct 4 Tour Bus with a driver. Carol Artz-Bucek, Secretary|Treasurer of The Museum, said, “The energy of these Chinese-descent dancing club members was much like an active beehive… they were buzzing around like crazy filling the room, helping get more chairs for them to watch, it was crazy…but so much fun. They were boisterous, energetic, ready to dance and have an enjoyable time.”

Gary Bucek, President of the Museum was astounded by saying; “This Chinese Senior Group from West Houston is embracing polka dancing as a fun way of exercising and thus creating a multi-cultural opportunity for the museum. You should have seen them unloading the bus, it was wild.”

Museum organizers provided each attendee with a welcome bag of La Grange brochures, bottled water and snacks for their journey back to Houston. As she was given a welcome bag, Alirie Cheng, one of the members, exclaimed “You guys give us great Texas hospitality, thank you!”

While making a final search to ensure all of the members had left the building Steve Fang, organizer of the event, said …” You showed us a great time.”

Museum organizers began offering dance instructions during each of their events in 2024 and are looking forward to expanding the opportunity to enhance this opportunity in the future.

Additionally, with virtual technology, it is now made simple to tour the museum even when it is closed. Methods are available to enter the museum and walk through a guided tour of the various exhibits. The onsite self-guided tours are easily achievable by calling Gary at (713) 2522162 for entry instructions.

Additional information regarding the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum (PLCTM) is available by typing plctm. com in your browser; or, you may contact Gary Bucek by email at info@plctm.com; or by phone (713) 252-2162.

Plan to join in for more dance instructions during upcoming fall events such as the Heritage Fall Open House, Oct. 17 and 18; Donor Appreciation Dance, Nov. 9 and the Christmas Open House Dec. 6.

Officers include Gary Bucek, President; Jan Koehn, Vice-President; Carol Artz-Bucek, Secretary; Joyce Bohuslav, Member Relations. Directors are Connie Rice Ames, C. W. and Doris Benson, Evelyn Maresh, Jane Freis, Larry Maresh, and Wellie K. Harris, Jr.