Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-08-04
Dancing the (SardaS.

1t wa, pretty scene. the rapid move
men;, Of The dancers i'll the gay cos
tunes, the picturesque backgr"und 81
low shed> covered with the large round
lcayes of the rlelon. Is t.-ndt1l> hanging
in graceful fe-lup'i>. and lis golden fruit
resting on the ihat..h. We might have
been witnessing n Spanish sarahand.
The HungarianS dance tor their very
lives. To them the pra''iicc OF the t"ip>i-
chorean ART i, no mc,r languid and
graceful unlu,ation of the figure. but a
perfect wild abandon OF mirth. and they
whrl. and spin and gyra,c with the W.
locity of dcrvi,iir> until their long black
locks stand ont straight, and their faces
are ablazr with heat and excitement
Watch them Il they perform the rsar'la-
their national dancr--to the strange
wild harmony of rziganok. Watch them
AS they balance themselves backward
and forward while adapting their subtle
movements to the measure ol III" ant
mating strains, The c,ar,laS is c>-en,
ally pantomimic and describes by mute
action the unquict ''cour,e OF true love.
The music is ii first SLOW, and the couiirS
walk up and down the room together in
stately manner. then. affecting 10 have
made each others acquaintance AMI fai-
len victims u tire tender passion. the
music grows more lively, and 1.-The
court,hip" begins in earnest. The lover
advances toward his inamorata. she
coyly responds. and they spin round
together for few seconds. when.
rs if thinking she had given him too
much encouragement. the maiden rrtires
pouting. whrreupon he again approach
rs, bu: this time she turn. her back on
him and dances off in Il contrary direc-
ton. Following her, however. he over
takes and seizcs her around the waist
and away they 90 again whirling de-
liciously, until she manages 10 extricatc
herself from his grasp. Shy and friend
" by turns. now encouraging her part
ner and now rctreating with offended
dignity, the lover at length becomes
chagrined at her capriceS. turn, hi- back
upon her, and they dance nos u dos for :,
while, with indignant gestures. till the
maid, with signs OF repentance. seeks
| reconciliation. The music grows faster
and faster. the lovers. in the ecstasy OF
reunion, whirl and twirl madly, nor dc
they stop until both are quite giddy and
out OF breath, when. retiring from the
scene. another couple take their place
and the performance begins again. The
csarias, of course, varies slightly in each
instance, according to the locality and
spirit of the dancers. but the subject re-
mains the same-loyr. court>hip, jcal-
ousy. disappointment. reunion and hap
pincss lever after" Sometimes. in the
closing scene. it winds up by the lover
throwing himself on his knees before his
mistress while she dances around him in
token of her complete triumph. Several
couples are always occupied at the same
time in this dance in one phase or anoth
er of the would-be colr;Ship. while III,
mems hats. decorated with fresh flowers
the women got up in the most eoquciti,t
and picturesque costumes imaginable
the stamping of feet, clashiug of spurs
and wildly exciting strains OF the gypsics
as they saw away madly at their violins
all combine in rendering the csar,las 4;
most interesting and animating spec
taclc. Nor is it danced only by the
peasants. 1t is seen in the ballroom OF
the mobiles. even at the capital, where &
gypsy band is always summoned t.
accompany it.-lfdgyar Land.