Dansar du polska?

Skolkis will play hot Scandinavian music at the Cedar Valley Grange
(L-R,  Liz Landsman, Martha Levenson, Emma Anderson and Vicki Watt Warshaw)

Dansar du polska?

No, that’s not a bad spelling of “polka,” folks. Polska refers to a type of Swedish dance dating back hundreds of years before the polka caught on, and it’s danced to 3/4 music (unlike the 2/4 signature of polka tunes). 

If you’ve tried the Swedish “hambo,” you’ve done a dance in the polska family. Likewise, Norway has a kindred dance called pols (e.g., Rørospols), along with other heavenly dances, called springar, which have complex, syncopated rhythms.

Whether you favor waltz, polka, polska, pols or other types of dancing, Skandia Folkdance Society has a treat for hearts and “soles” on Friday, February 21. Come frolic at Vinterdans – a live music dance at Lynnwood’s Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 – 52nd Ave. W.  Admission is $15.

From 8 – 10pm, enjoy fabulous Nordic music and food. Five musical sets will give you ample time to practice or learn some steps and meet people who are happy to share music and dance traditions. Come and soak up the superb music, nibble on treats, and when the mood strikes, hit the dance floor for a fun mixer dance. And, if you don’t know a particular dance, you’re welcome to just walk in time to the music—or simply take in the magic from the sidelines.

Bruce Sagan, guest musician, will be joined that evening by eight of the Pacific Northwest’s finest Scandinavian musicians. Their sets will include something for everyone, regardless of dance experience. Here’s a glimpse of the popular group, Skolkis, whose music will set your toes a tappin’. {Skolkis translates as “playing hookey.”}  

Please join me for polka, polska, waltz, schottis, hambo, springar, easy set dances, and more. See you at the Grange!

--Judy Patterson for Skandia Folkdance Society