26 April, 2024

Our Canadian friends celebrate Wisconsin polka

The polka became the official dance of Wisconsin 30 years ago this month. This article notes that the push to make it the state dance "started as a class project by local educator Violet Bergum and her second-grade class at Lindbergh Elementary School in Madison. The class approached a state senator, who drafted the bill."

That was news to me. I was under the impression that Wisconsin folklorist Prof. Jim Leary was the impetus for it. Still, he did testify before the state Legislature in favor of it. You learn something new everyday.

It is nice to see Bruce Triggs celebrating the anniversary on his radio show, Accordion Noir, this week. Check it out here.

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