Polka News Network: Polka in Pittson

The Grammys might have decided that polka is a doomed artform, but Dolly Kubasko of Pittston, Pa thinks otherwise:

Kubasko, of Pittston Township, has spent much of her life promoting polka music in the region. For nearly 20 years, Kubasko has produced a yearly calendar of polka dances throughout the country without fail. Also, she started her own Web site to promote live polka music to encourage people of all ages to get out and dance.

The calendar and the site have an updated list of polka performances and dances throughout the country. Kubasko keeps the calendar just because she doesn't want to see the music she loves fall by the wayside.

"I want to keep an interest in it," Kubasko said. "I want people to have a good time."

Meanwhile, while Grammy organisers sense a declining interest, South Dakotans think otherwise. The state polka & music fest is being expanded this year:

For the second year, organizer-founder Jay Davie put together the festival, but this year it's bigger and better.

"We have nine bands this year, up from four, because people like more variety," Davie says of the Friday, Saturday and Sunday event at the W. H. Lyon Fairgrounds' Expo Building.