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'A one, and a two' Polka!

The accordions are being tuned, the legs are being loosened, the sausage is waiting to be grilled. It's time for the two-day Winter Polka Dance at the SNPJ Hall.

By LOGAN NEILL
Published January 26, 2007

SPRING HILL - Perhaps it's the sparkling sound of a group of men on piano and button-box accordions zipping through the jaunty strains of Frankie Yankovic's all-time polka hit, Just Because. Or maybe it's the hearty aroma of fresh Slovenian sausage wafting from the kitchen near the back of the SNPJ Hall. Or perhaps it's the scene of dozens of couples polka dancing beneath a spinning mirrored ball.

Whatever it is, it points to the notion that polka culture is alive and well in Hernando County. This weekend, when SNPJ Hall 778 hosts its two-day Winter Polka Dance, expect to see the parking lot lined with license plates from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, anyplace where polka music is part of the cultural identity.

"For people who grew up listening to polka music it's a nice little reminder of the past when families would gather with their neighbors to dance, sing and have fun," said Ann Gombocs, secretary of the Slovene National Benefit Society SNPJ of Spring Hill.

Gombocs, who lives in Spring Hill, hails from Cleveland, where polka music still reigns supreme. Along with her husband, John, who is president of the Spring Hill club, she helps put together the monthly winter dance series that begins in January and concludes with the two-day March Days festival.

The origins of the winter polka dance series date back three decades to when the club formed in Hernando County, said Gombocs.

This weekend's kickoff dance will be 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, and will feature music by Cleveland polka legend Frank Moravcik, a well-known accordionist and band leader who has been performing on the national polka circuit for the past 30 years.

Gombocs admits that to a die-hard polka fan, nothing beats a good, live band.

"You can dance to a record, but a live polka band really gets you going," she said. "Besides, a good band can play a variety of music - polkas, waltzes and fox trots, and mix up the music."

Some of the more endearing moments of the annual dance come when the hired band takes a break and gives up the stage to amateur musicians. In the past, as many as 20 musicians have gathered for the impromptu jam sessions.

In addition to offering folks a chance to dance, the event also champions home-style Slovenian cooking, which is created and served up by club members. Proceeds from the sale of food and alcohol go toward upkeep on the hall and to the club's scholarship fund.

Although turnout for the winter polka dances has been fairly good in recent years, Gombocs admits attendance hasn't matched what it was in its heyday some 15 years ago when tickets were sold out well in advance.

"We still draw as many as 200 people for some of the dances, but a lot of our regulars are older now and they don't make it out like they used to," she said.

Ideally, Gombocs would like to see more young faces at the dances.

"When I think of all the kids I used to see at polka dances up North, it makes me wonder why they aren't here," she said. "This is their heritage, too. We need them to help us hold on to a tradition."

Logan Neill can be reached at lneill@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1435.

IF YOU GO

Slovene National Benefit Society's Winter Polka Dance

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: SNPJ Hall, 13383 County Line Road, Spring Hill.

Admission: $10 each day or $18 for both days. Food and a cash bar will be available.

Information: call Doris at 686-9874.

[Last modified January 25, 2007, 23:17:07]