THE POLKA CLUB OF IOWA
was started in 1975 as an educational
and social organization for the preservation and advancement of old
time music
when accordionist Duane
Pichelman organized a group of dancers who shared his love of
Austrian/German-style happy music.
The first meeting was held in the Duane Pichelman home near Ankeny,
Iowa, on April 18, 1975. The Polka Club of Iowa has grown,
and
now consists of two chapters with about 300 enthusiastic
members. The goal of the Polka Club of Iowa is to encourage
and
pursue the study of
old time music, including polka and related
traditional music. We support and assist Iowa
communities in
charitable and civic projects. Each year the Governor of
Iowa signs a proclamation declaring January as Polka Month in the State
of Iowa.
Iowa Polka Music Hall of Fame:
The
Polka Club of Iowa is responsible for the administration and
operation of the Iowa
Polka
Music Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame
ceremony honors deserving Iowans who have made outstanding
contributions to the advancement and promotion of old time music.
Pictures of the winners of the Iowa Polka Music Hall of Fame, along
with the picture of the founder of the Club, Duane Pichelman, are
displayed at the Duncan Comminity Hall in duncan, Iowa and can be viewed there at any regular scheduled dance.
Polka
Club of Iowa Chapters:
Central
Eastern
The two Polka
Club of Iowa Chapters are
located in the Central and Eastern areas of
Iowa. In addition to polkas; Polka Club of Iowa members dance the
waltz,
schottische, fox trot, line dances, novelty dances and much more. It's
even rumored that occasionally, the Chicken Dance
and Hokey Pokey are also done! Polka Club of Iowa
members also
perform at nursing homes,
retirement homes, the Iowa State Fair, and other state wide
festivities.
Polka
Club of Iowa Newsletter:
Polka Club of Iowa members
may
also subscribe to the Polka Club Newsletter which is
published every other month. Besides information on chapter events and
activities, the newsletter lists
dance opportunities not only in Iowa, but also in Illinois, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, South Dakota, etc.
Welcome:
If you like dancing, watching others dance, or even just listening to
the sounds of old time and modern dance music, you owe it to yourself
to become a member. Current members are glad to teach dance
steps;
and dancers of all skills are invited to attend dances located
at ballrooms across the state of Iowa.
For an expanded history of the Polka Club of Iowa, check out this essay:
Early
History of the Polka Club of Iowa by Duane Pichelman
Dancing
adds years to your life and life to your years!
For more
information please contact us.
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