We found fun places to polka dance that are within and hour and a half drive from the Boston area in Massachusetts.
While visiting our son John and his family over the 4th of July week, we took the opportunity to go polka dancing on two Sunday’s. The first weekend we traveled to Ludlow, MA to Christ the King polka festival featuring two polka bands: Doubleshot and Lenny Gomulka with the Chicago Push. It was such a delight to hear some different style of music played by top musicians this style of music. The 5 piece bands really add to the depth of music.
Doubleshot has two trumpets and two accordions along with a drummer. They really know how to set the crowd to dancing. Ludlow is Lenny Gomulka’s hometown. He is a master at the clarinet, trumpet and saxophone and sings like a bird. He is complimented by a trumpet, concertina, bass guitar and drummer.
Doubleshot YouTube video
Lenny Gomulka YouTube Video
The following weekend we journeyed back to the same area to Pulaski Park in Three Rivers, MA to hear the Eddie Forman Orchestra. Eddie played the accordion and keyboard complimented by talented musicians one who played soprano, alto, tenor saxophone and clarinet others on the trumpet, base guitar and drums. They had a ball playing for the crowd. With this combination of instruments they really had and interesting sound.
YouTube – Eddie Forman Orchestra
The folks at the dance were delightful. Peggy wore a bright red flowered dress and had the personality to match. She loved the music and sang along with the Polish words. At Pulaski park she was first up to the band to ask for a request. As the band played her song she sang alone with a smile on her face as she headed back to her seat. Later she could be seen on the dance floor with another friend walking with a bounce in their step, both holding on to their four wheeled walkers. They would turn their walkers around to the music showing they were still young at heart and able to let that music sing through their soul.
Eddie Forman Orchestra 7-13-2013 in Three Rivers, MA. I love the ladies dancing with the help of their walkers.
Another lady loved the music so much that she was up for almost every dance. The Ukrainian polkas had a special beat and she danced in time around the floor as if she were performing. Sometimes she would dance with a partner, but not always. For the waltzes she had a good size boy doll she held tight as she waltzed around the floor.
I mention these ladies in admiration for folks keeping up with what they enjoy through their later years.
Others had smiles of delight as you watched them dance. It is hard to be grumpy while listening to polka music.