News

The Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum, located at 275 W. Fairgrounds Rd., La Grange, Texas located within the Czech Village of the La Grange Fairgrounds, experienced a once in a lifetime event on Saturday, July 13th. Czech Republic President, Petr Pavel and his wife, Eva Pavlova along with their Presidential Brigade, Secret Service, DPS, Local Law Enforcement, the U.S. Czech Ambassador, his staff and representatives of the Czech Center Museum Houston were hosted by the Texas Czech Heritage Cultural Center (TCHCC) located at 250 W. Fairgrounds Rd., La Grange, Texas.

The Swiss Alp Dance Club celebrates its 90th birthday this year. It is thought to be the longest continuous dance club in Texas. The Club’s existence began in 1934 when friends decided to form a dance club; prohibition had just ended and the dance scene was still restarting. The club met regularly at Cernosek Park which was located just off US 77, at the Hostyn Cutoff south of La Grange.

Acknowledged Western Swing founder Milton Brown, told his brother, Roy: “The secret was that it had a good dance tempo, mm-pah-mm-pah, a 2/4 rhythm. If I pattern my music and make it a good polka tempo out of the songs I play, and play the polka tempo just a little bit harder, I think I’ll have a good band.” --- Leon “Pappy” Selph ( Light Crust Doughboys, Bob Wills, Blue Ridge Playboys) explained the success Western Swing: “When you boil it down, it was a good simple, polka beat”. In the list of music styles that West Texas hillbilly (country) bands played in the dance halls they always included polkas as the a staple, because people came to dance, not listen.