The polonaise (Polish: polonez)
is a dance of Polish origin in 3/4 time.
The polonaise has a rhythm quite close to that of the
Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polka, and the two dances have a common
origin.
Polonaise is a widespread dance in carnival parties. It is always a first dance not only at New Year balls
but also it is the dance which opens majority of Carnival parties in Poland.
It is similarly always a first dance at a
studniówka ("hundred-days"), the Polish equivalent of the senior prom
that occurs approximately 100 days before exams.
