WHAT IS IT?
THE COME BACK OF THE VIENNESE WALTZ AS A FOLK DANCE AT POLKA DANCES IN THE NORTHERN OHIO AREA
When a "waltz" is played with Slovenian style polka bands/orchestras/musicians (thats the word band leaders say from the bandstand), its the Viennese
Waltz tempo rather than American Waltz tempo, and its to ethnic music rather than a symphony orchestra.* So, the Viennese Waltz footwork (faster than the
American Waltz) is done by the dancers on the dance floor. Apparently, there aren't many people aware that they are one in the same, i.e., that the word
"waltz" from the bandstand is The Viennese Waltz by the dancers on the dance floor. Of course, its just the basic Viennese footwork - constant clockwise
and/or counterclockwise turns, whether they are quarter turns or half turns. When you go to the "HISTORY" of the famous Cleveland Area polka/waltz band
leaders(Local famous "waltz" band leaders & click on each name), the names of the famous classical composers (Strauss, Mozart, etc.) and their
Viennese Waltzes, are used in their write-ups. So when a Slovenian band leader in the Greater Cleveland Area says "waltz" from the bandstand, it is really
the beautiful Viennese Waltz being done on the dance floor. The two words, in that particular environment (a Slovenian style musician playing a waltz), are
one and the same. It seem the Slovenians have preserved this treasure for us here in the Greater Cleveland Area, whether they knew it or not.
But doesn't the Viennese Waltz belong to the world - crossing all ethnic, racial and, geographic barriers? Andre Rieu proves this wherever he plays his
Strauss waltzes in any country. Thus, these days all cultures go to the Slovenian style musician dances and dance the Viennese Waltz- folk version.
The Viennese Waltz had its comeback in this area*** and in Germany in the 30's as a folk dance.**(click here) see "HISTORY" of Viennese Waltz
This area*** may be the only other area in the world where this dance has been preserved to this extent.
MORE ON THE "HISTORY" OF VIENNESE WALTZ AND ITS COMEBACK AS A FOLK DANCE IN THIS AREA
In the 1920's, the Viennese Waltz became outdated in Europe as more dynamic dances emerged. But at the beginning of the 1930's, the Viennese Waltz
had its comeback as a Folk Dance in Germany and Austria ** and in a 5 Ohio city area - Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Barberton & Youngstown***.
BUT WHY WAS THE OHIO AREA INCLUDED IN THIS PHENOMENA?
At that time (the 1930's), the highest concentration of Slovenians were immigrating to The Greater Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Barberton,Youngstown
Area***; 60,000 to 80,000 as per THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER article of 9-5-04. Slovenia, being just below Austria (home of The Viennese Waltz), in
the Alps Mountains was influenced by Vienna Austria. Thus, the Folk Dance Version of the Viennese and its music was danced in Slovenia and carried to
The Greater Cleveland Area, as their great numbers settled here. The Greater Cleveland Area German, Czech, Polish and Irish Clubs were doing it (ethnic
waltzing that was the Viennese) on a smaller scale. But adding the grand scale of the Slovenian waltzing with their many dance floors and buildings in the
area, created a waltzing phenomenon. Some of the Slovenian dance halls were/are 3 stories with a club room dance floor in the basement and two
complete ballroom floors on the next two levels. These buildings still exist (Holmes Ave., Recher Hall., etc.). On top of that they had/have an idyllic outdoor
covered pavilion with a dance floor 'Under-The-Tall-Trees' in Kirtland OH for summer Sunday Viennese Waltzing; its in the hills, next to a stream and looks
a little like an Alpine setting. Its called "SNPJ Farm". The Czechs have a similar "Farm" in the country where waltzing goes on (DTJ Farm in Taborville OH
(Chagrin Falls area). The Germans have a similar one; its called "German Central" (York rd in Parma) and has one of the most beautiful dance halls left in
the world. There are more; when I find out about it / them (waltz dances), I put them on the CALENDAR.
Sometimes, the waltz bands include yodeling and banjos in their sound; its beautiful and an unusual addition to hear while doing The Viennese Waltz.
Frankie Yankovic "America's Polka/Waltz King" was from the Cleveland Ohio U.S.A area; here is his biography
* Mitzi Waring of ED & MITZI WARING
DANCE COMPANY, 30899 Old Shore Dr.
North Olmsted, Ohio 44070 1-800-448-6926
** "Viennese Waltz" in WIKIPEDIA ENCYCLOPEDIA
*** Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Barberton, Youngstown Area
a.k.a. www.Clevelandplus.com
Even a Polka is from the Strauss Waltz "Vienna Blood"(click here) for a famous Polka from a Strauss Waltz
VienneseWaltz-FolkDanceVersion.com
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