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
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.