Sing-A-Long: Blue Skirt Waltz
Plus, Herizon Music ft. DJ Shotski
I saved the best song for the last sing-a-long of the summer! No video Lodge update this week, but scroll on to listen to Thea Wood’s interview with me on Herizon Music.
And are you going to be in the streets of Monroe, Wisconsin when we break the world record for polka dancing on September 21? Get updates and logistics for the World’s Biggest Polka Dance with yours truly as the DJ.
Sing-A-Long: Blue Skirt Waltz, A Polka Standard
There are some things that polka and jazz have in common. From big bands to jazz ensembles, and large polka orchestras with musicians behind coordinated music stands, these bands were most at home next to a dance floor. They also had songs that were standards that became part of the common repertoire of the genre.
Standards are beloved songs that serve as a common language among musicians. When musicians come together to play, the standards are unifying and recognizable. They may even be the first songs musicians learn on their instruments.
One of the best standards in polka music is the Blue Skirt Waltz. Everyone plays it. It’s an age-old story: you meet someone at a party and make a connection, but you don’t get the phone number and you’re left wondering what could have been. There are versions of the song that are sung by a man for a woman in a blue skirt. There are versions where a woman sings of a man in a blue shirt. No matter what the love interest is wearing, it’s a song everyone knows how to sing.
Here is a 1994 recording of the Six Fat Dutchmen playing the Blue Skirt Waltz, sung by their concertina player, Johnny Gag.
Besides the “Beer Barrel Polka,” it’s the first song I learned to recognize at polka dances. It’s my favorite. That’s why I saved the best for the last sing-a-long of the summer. I hope you’ll learn the words and sing during this Sunday’s episode of Polka Time.
Blue Skirt Waltz
I wandered alone one night
'Til I heard an orchestra play
I met you when lights were bright
And people were carefree and gay
You were the beautiful lady in blue
I was in heaven just waltzing with you
You thrilled me with strange delight
Then softly you strolled away
I dream of that night with you
Lady, when first we met
We danced in a world of blue
How can my heart forget?
Blue were the skies
And blue were your eyes
Just like the blue skirt you wore
Come back blue lady come back
Don't be blue anymore
Polka Time: Where and when to listen
LIVE - September 1
Sunday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona
Streaming - last week’s episode
Saturday, 8 a.m. - WHYS-FM 96.3 Eau Claire - support WHYS
Saturday, 3 p.m. - WRJQ Goodtime Radio - support WRJQ
Saturday, 6 p.m. - WPCA-FM 93.1 Amery - support WPCA
Saturday, 7 p.m. - WVMO-FM 98.7 Monona - support WVMO
Sunday, 7 a.m. - WOJB-FM 88.9 Hayward - support WOJB
Sunday, 8 a.m. - WILW-FM 96.3 Waupaca
Sunday, 9 a.m. - WOCT-FM 101.9 Oshkosh
Sunday, 4 p.m. - WLSP-FM 103.5 Sun Prairie - support SPMC
Thanks to these community and volunteer-powered stations for keeping vintage polka on the air waves.
Interview: Can DJ Shotski Save Polka From Aging Out?
Host Thea Wood welcomes DJ Shotski to Herizon Music podcast
I had the pleasure of speaking with Thea Wood, host of the Herizon Music podcast, about why I love to play polka music on the radio and at events. We dug into what it’s like to be one of a very few number of female polka DJs in the country, who inspires my creative life, and what joy there is to be found in discovering and sharing vintage polka with a new generation of listeners.
About half way through the episode, I started to walk through the “TED” talk I’m working on about why I think polka is poised for a comeback, much like the swing revival of the 90s. Stay tuned to the Shotski Lodge newsletter for more on that.
Since 1994, Thea has been creating content and experiences for music industry professionals and music lovers. She’s a public speaker, an author of First Ladies of Music, and host of the Herizon Music Podcast where she advocates for gender equity in the music industry."
Events
September 19-22 — Green County Cheese Days, Monroe
Cheese Days is set to break the world record in the number of people dancing the polka at this year’s festival. And DJ Shotski is providing the polka tunes! Can you be a part of this exciting event? Mark your calendar and register with Cheese Days for details.
December 1 — Milwaukee Krampusnacht
Milwaukee Krampusnacht will be held on Sunday, December 1, 3-10 p.m. at Best Place and other businesses in the Historic Brewery District on Juneau Ave between 9th and 11th Street. DJ Shotski plays polka tunes from 5-7 p.m. in the historic Best Place hall.
Krampus is a folkloric monster of Alpine tradition. Children are told that goodly Saint Nick will reward them with treats if they are good, but if they are bad they will be visited by the hideous Krampus. Check back on the Krampusnacht website for updates.
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