Polish Music & Dance Styles: Polonaise, Mazurka, and Disco Polo

Poland has dignified ballroom dances for nobles, fast spinning dances for villages, and cheesy disco for weddings. Every Pole knows the steps to at least one.

1. Polonez (Polonaise)

• The most dignified Polish dance (opening dance at weddings)

• Danced in a long walking line (hand in hand)

• Music: slow, 3/4 beat, very regal (Chopin wrote many polonaises)

• Every Pole knows this dance (learned in school)

• All wedding guests join (not just bride and groom)

• Not fast, not difficult (just walk gracefully)

2. Mazurek (Mazurka)

• Traditional folk dance from Mazovia region

• Danced in couples (fast turning and spinning)

• Music: lively, 3/4 beat, strong accent on second or third beat

• Chopin wrote over 50 mazurkas for piano

• Very popular at weddings and folk festivals

• One of Poland's national dances (with polonaise, kujawiak, oberek, krakowiak)

3. Disco Polo

• Most popular dance music at Polish weddings (1980s-today)

• Simple beat, cheesy lyrics about love, dancing, drinking

• Very easy dance moves (wave arms, step side to side)

• Lower class, not respected by intellectuals (but everyone secretly loves it)

• YouTube songs have millions of views

• Every wedding has at least 3 hours of disco polo

4. Krakowiak (Krakow Dance)

• Folk dance from Krakow region (southern Poland)

• Danced in couples, fast, with syncopated rhythm (2/4 beat)

• Men click heels, slap boots (striking floor)

• Women wear flower wreaths, colorful skirts, embroidered vests

• Often opens with a male dancer solo (show off)

• Very popular at folk festivals

5. Oberek (Spin Dance)

• Fastest Polish folk dance (spinning, jumping)

• Danced in couples, very lively (180+ beats per minute)

• Named "oberek" from "obracać" (to spin)

• Dancers spin continuously (dizzying)

• Very difficult (requires training)

• Often danced after mazurek (slower then faster)