And now for something completely different...

[Southern Comfort]

In the USA, an ethnic phenomenon is the "Polka Mass", where all the music is accompanied by a polka band and played polka-style. It started in the 1970s. (And no, they don't have beer instead of wine...)

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polka_in_the_United_States for background and further details. (Scroll down for Polka Masses.)

A fairly typical example would be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VawIq9Ln1wQ
For a more mariachi flavour (flavor?), try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-iBL-bTb90

An acquaintance of mine recently posted to YouTube a collection of polka-style wedding music clips. If you can't imagine the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin, or the Pachelbel Canon, or Wachet Auf in this style, this brief taster is for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-muW37e8E-E&feature=youtu.be

[quaeritor]

SC, you've just reminded me that I've not been contacted about my annual participation in the Misa Campesina Nicaraguense which should be coming up about now - try this link for a sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l07dX6wQ96M

or this: Vhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBeEQ54axEM

Perhaps the text police have caught up with the organisers

Q