Polka in the United States music and dance and to honor their heritage at polka festivals. Modern media enables these fans to stay connected and share their passion. Though it passed its heyday in the 1950s the polka remains an active music form with distinct genres, leading performers, and active organizations. Where it is popular, the polka is a manifestation of the culture of those who participate in it. It is the state dance of Wisconsin. Although author Charles Keil admits that "there are as many styles of polka as there are polka localities", he and his wife have divided American polka music into three
Polonaise (clothing) the back," with the bodice closed at the top center front and sloping away at the sides, leaving a triangular gap that was filled by a false waistcoat. Sleeves could be three-quarter length or long, and various styles such as the Irish, Italian and French "polonaise" were described by contemporaries. A variation on the "robe à la polonaise" was the "robe à la circassienne", cut the same but trimmed with "oriental" tassels or fur. The term "polonaise" was applied to a variety of garments throughout the 19th century, often because their styling was thought to be Polish in inspiration. One