Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-05-16
TERPSICHORE.
a Complaint that Eurekans Don't
Know How to Dance.


EUREKA, May Is. 1888.
ED. SENTINEL: I would like to say q
word or two in FOUR paper about dancing
In Eureka. 1t is a very light subject, I'll
admit, but light things make up q great
part OF our living. The times are not
very lively here now, and there are plenty
OF people who would make the times
worse than they really are by croaking.
There is no good in that. We cannot
mend our fortunes by complaining. We
are still the most substantial mining
camp in the State, but If we were not
there would be no use in repining. Bat it
is about our dancing l intended to speak.
dancing is an indispensable diversion in
the real Far West. Never mind how dull
. mining camp gets to be, there are
always q plenty Of those who are willing
to make the best Of the situation and en-
JOY themselves as long as there is an op-
portunity left.
1 was in Carson q good deal last Winter,
md, although they all say that is about the
"~deadest" place in the State, l noticed
that the folks there are not without
amusements. They lave their Opera
House, in which they ~patronize the stage
literally, and In which they make them
selves merry in social gatherings Of vari-
GUS sorts, in which dancing is generally
the foremost recreation. And l noticed,
too, that they take pride in the innocent
and healthful recreation. They nave
striven to go ahead and get out Of The old
rut that we have sunk into on the Base
Range. On the wholesome principle that
pRhnf ia worth 1asnn IA -N-A 11..- -
they have kept up with the times in their
devotion to Terpsichore. Instead Of plod-
ding around in the old, tiresome steps that
have m~onotonously prevailed for the last
rs years, they adopt the Improvements
that are continually being made in the
East and in San Francisco. Their music
Il am speaking Of Carson, but the same
is true OF Virginia City, which has its
blacklist eye right now is fine. 1t buoys
you up, aud makes dancing an easy, grace
full and eloquent pastime.
The musicians are wide awake and do
not allow themselves to fall behind the
times. Our musicians here have made a
step or two forward lately, and everybody
has been delighted with the result. Their
new music has started an interest in dane
ing which many persons thought they
would hardly ever feel again, and which
they certainly never would have felt again
II the everlasting monotony Of some
months ago had not been relieved. The
new music introduced at the Odd Fellows'
party was an event in Eureka that dancers
will remember pleasantly for q long time.
But We want the old dance music cast
aside entirely and new music put in its
place. And then we will be still far be-
hind.
Are there not some enterprising person
or persons that could revise our dance
music and teach the Eureka people how to
dance? A good many OF Us think we know
how to dance, IN a few Eureka ladies and
gentlemen do dance well, but how would
the majority OF our dancers appear at a
social dance party in San Francisco. They
would be spotted" at once as "from the
mountains" We do not care for the criti-
cisms Of our city cousins. OF course not,
but it is easy enough to place ourselves
above their criticisms. In doing so We
make for ourselves a pastime that is full
OF enjoyment. that does not drag and wear
pleasure seekers out with an unnatural,
leaden monotony.
There are two young men at Carson
Hall and Mider-who make q handsome
living by their dancing school. They lease
the Opera House for the nights that it is |
not in use for dramatic purposes or for
any extraordinary entertainment. They
occupy the hall thus when II would not
other wise be occupied. and get II ON very
reasonable terms. They do not ask much
for their lessons, and everybody goes and
takes them. 1t does not cost much to the
dancers. but they attend in large numbers
and the dancing masters make money.
There 10 e splendid opening here for two
Just such enterprising musicians in Eure-
Their dance parties. such as are given
In Virginia and Carson Saturday evenings,
81 admission, which are attended by ev-
erybody, would be something to liven up
the town. The presence and energy Of
such leading musicians 10 what we want to
stir up the Base Rangers. Such musicians
could make 50 here to where they make
one 10 Western Nevada. Our people
would DO glad to welcome them here.
speak for all the society people OF Eureka
In saying I hope to see somebody step In
and throw life into our dancers pretty
soon. Otherwise ! fear We may forge. how |
to dance entirely. Waltz.
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