Polka in the United States is an example of the way some polka bands have tried to break free of the restrictions of genre and adapt to modern culture. From tiny ethnic dance halls to larger-scale national organizations, there is a huge network of people working to keep the polka alive. One Web site lists a total of 49 formal polka clubs nationwide, and there are many other smaller organizations . The largest organizations today include the International Polka Association (IPA), the United States Polka Association, the Polka Lovers Klub of America (Po.L.K. of A.), the Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame, the Penn-Ohio Polka Pals,
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