Polka Denmark (galopp, hopsa), Estonia (polka), Finland (pariisipolkka, polkka), Iceland, Norway (galopp, hamborgar, hopsa/hopsar, parisarpolka, polka, polkett, skotsk) and Sweden (polka). The beats are not as heavy as those from Central Europe and the dance steps and holds also have variations not found further south. The polka is considered a part of the gammeldans tradition of music and dance. While it is nowhere near as old as the older Nordic dance and music traditions, there are still hundreds of polka tunes in each of the Nordic countries. They are played by solo instrumentalists or by bands/ensembles, most frequently with lead instruments
Ruth Adams and the World's Most Dangerous Polka Band the age of 88. His drums are now on display at the Minnesota Historical Society. According to the band's website, they play "a mix of Polkas, Waltz's [sic], Foxtrots [sic], Country, Latin, and a little Dixieland." During their "Let's Bowl" appearances, Adams and company played suggestive polka tunes like "She Smoked My Cigar" and "I Told Her No". They got their start, and still play every Friday and Saturday, at Nye's Polonaise (better known as Nye's Polka Lounge) in northeast Minneapolis. Since the close of Nye's Polonaise, the Polka Band has performed at Can Can Wonderland in Saint Paul, MN.