4 Lakes Polka Club Sunday afternoon polka dance and lesson returned to The Bur Oak

The Four Lakes Polka Club returned to The Bur Oak in Madison on February 22, 2026 for another Sunday afternoon polka dance. I joined DB Polka Express and Milwaukee area-based folk dance and culture specialist Roni Andrew for an afternoon of celebrating Wisconsin’s official state dance.

Our goal for the events is to offer live music and vintage tunes along with a dance instruction that is specifically tailored for all ages and abilities. We were thrilled to have another full venue where everyone was welcome and kids got to learn how to dance like their grandparents and great-grandparents did.

We changed up the schedule a bit this time. After I opened up the event with a 45-minute vinyl set, the band came on played segments of songs while Roni taught folks how to polka, waltz and do the Schottische. People tried out new moves to the live music before I gave the band a break and played some tunes. DB Polka Express returned to the stage for more tunes plus Andy Kerber’s wild alphorn solo. I closed out the event and played some more records as people left The Bur Oak.

You can see a short video of the band and the dancers on post in the Shotski Lodge email newsletter.

With a second popular event under our belt, we are talking about what’s next. It would be great to do this on a quarterly basis, mixing indoor and outdoor spaces, having an Oktoberfest event, and doing everything we can to make sure all people (including kids) are welcome.

Thanks again to WVMO-FM for being our publicity sponsor, and to The Bur Oak and staff for being such a welcoming and accommodating venue.