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MADISON, Wis. – To commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the polka being named the official state dance of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Historical Society will host a festive polka party on April 18 at the new History Maker Space located in the US Bank Plaza on Capitol Square. The family-friendly, ticketed event, featuring Madison’s DJ Shotski and the DB Polka Express band, will celebrate this beloved Wisconsin tradition with an evening of dance, music, food and festivities.

“The polka was brought here from German, Polish and Czech immigrants and has been a favorite form of entertainment at community dances and special celebrations throughout the state for generations,” said Nick Hoffman, administrator of museums and historic sites, Wisconsin Historical Society. “We look forward to bringing folks together for a fun evening of polka music and dancing to commemorate this uniquely Wisconsin, time-honored state tradition.”

DJ Shotski will spin vintage polka records and speak to polka’s staying power, and DB Polka Express will perform a unique blend of traditional polka classics along with a mix of polka-infused country and rock-n-roll standards. The event will include Wisconsin brat bites, pretzels with dipping sauces, and Czech canapes. Beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, will be available for purchase. A rotating presentation of historic polka photos and an opportunity to personalize your own vinyl record sleeve will take place in the History Maker Space gift shop.

The polka became the official dance at the suggestion of a second-grade class at Madison’s Charles Lindbergh Elementary School and with the support of statewide groups and organizations. The act of designating the polka as Wisconsin’s official dance passed in 1993 and was enacted on Apr. 21, 1994. Governor Tommy Thompson signed the bill into law on April 29, 1994, in Pulaski, Wisconsin. Only one other state–Pennsylvania–claims the polka as their state dance.

Polka party activities will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and be held in the Society’s History Maker Space and the surrounding US Bank Lobby Atrium at 1 South Pinckney. The cost to attend is $15 per person (ages 13-64); $10 (ages 65+); $5 (children 5-12) and free for children under five. To register for the event, go to https://wihist.org/polka or click here.

The History Maker Space is the Wisconsin Historical Society’s temporary space for continued educational and public programming on Capitol Square until the new Wisconsin History Center opens in 2027.

About the Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.