Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum Back on Track
On March 19, Officers, Directors and potential board members met to reorganize and get The Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum (PLCTM) back on track after being in pandemic mode since late 2019.
The PLCTM opened in La Grange in 2006 as the ultimate polka fan’s tribute to that 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. The PLCTM is located at 250 West Fairgrounds Rd. La Grange, within the Fayette County Fairgrounds in the Czech Village of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC).
Sadly, the pandemic took its toll on some of the Officers and Board Members of volunteer leadership serving the PLCTM. After two years; remaining Officers, Directors and Nominees met to get the organization’s leadership back in gear and off to new beginnings.
There were many items on the agenda in attempts to get a ground zero plan to re-organize.
The most important agenda item was selecting new officers and directors for the corporation and they are as follows: Willie Bohuslav, Immediate Past President; Gary Bucek, President; Charlie Hoelscher, Vice President; Carol Artz-Bucek, Secretary; Joyce Bohuslav, Acting Treasurer; Directors include: Evelyn Maresh, Jane Freis, Larry Maresh, Mark McFarland, Mildred Hollas, Sheryl Harris, and Weldon Schulte.
The PLCTM has a long history of preserving, promoting and educating Polka Music and Dance; not only in the region, the state, but also to the world. The lessons of COVID have provided leadership with tools to create awesome, 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.
Five Fascinating Facts About Polka Music
Polka Music: Fostering Togetherness and Cheer - Although it seems like a relatively simple style of music, polka music has rich, well-documented roots. Because of its upbeat sound, it has survived the years intact to be appreciated by people all over the world.
1. Czech Roots - Polka music is a form of European dance music. It originated in Bohemia an area within the Czech Republic. As Eastern European immigrants migrated to the United States, their music was largely introduced to the Midwest and Great Lakes Region.
Polka is more popular in Czech and Slovakian regions than Germany, as it’s normally associated with the German Oktoberfest.
2. Distinctive Sound - Polka is known for the distinctive sound of the accordion that acts as the foundation of the music. However, polka bands can also include fiddles, clarinets, trombones, tubas, and a rhythm sec tion depending on the region. No matter the region, polka has an upbeat sound played in 2/4 time that gets people dancing.
3. Distinctive Dance - Polka is also a distinctive couple dance that combines three rapid steps and a hop. In fact, the word “polka” is believed to come from the Czech word “polka,” which means “half step.”
4. Polka Styles - There are many different styles of contemporary polka besides the original Czech: Polish-style; Slovenianstyle; Dutchmen-style; Conjun-to-style and the Alternative/San Francisco-style.
5. Beer Barrel Polka - This is a song that received worldwide popularity during World War II. It had versions in many different languages and became popular among soldiers.
For now, if you need more information about the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum (PLCTM) you may contact Gary Bucek at gary@garybucek.com. The new website PolkaLoversClubofTexas.com will be up and running by April 15.