The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-03-15
THE NEW YORK DANCES.

THE NEW YORK DANCES.
The Racquet, the Society, the Wave,
the knickerbockcr-Ne Kicks and
Glidcs-Dancing Professors on the
Innovations.
From the New York Sun.
The round dance which Is known as
the Racquet is described in "Cartier's
Ballroom Guide" as follows:
Take two long gallop slides, with left
foot on accent, and, as right foot is
brought up to left foot for second time,
rest, and hold left foot in air. Repeat
by sliding with right foot, etc.
Mr.. Cartier says that these directions
are simply intended for teaching, and
that when the learner has taught the
movement the foot is not held in air.
but is slid along the floor. However
that may be, the modern method of
dancing the Racquet is something very
different. The slides are made of great
length, and at the finish there is Wig
orous kick with the free foot. This
makes the dancing couple rock like a
small boat in heavy sea, and gives an
air of reck lessness and abandon to the,
dance, which has brought it into much
dlslav9r among quiet people. Some
vary the movement by 1eapine in the
feet touch the floor they kick, then
leap again until fatigue compels them to
stop. This shakes down back hair and
disarranges dress so that the young wo-
man looks as if she had come out of q
Tough and tumble fight. Quiet couples
have no chance on the floor when race
Quetters are around. They sweep
everything before them like an Ohio
flood, and strew the dancing floor with
debris of torn lace, torn flowers and
broken combs. 1t leaves the perfor-
mers flushed and GREATNESS, but while
it lasts there is a maddening excitement
about it that pleases quick blooded
Young people. It is still to be seen in
all its Insurance at fancy dress balls,
and at socibles where the young folks 20
IN for fun regardless. of appearances.
1t is danced in 81 time. 1t took its
name froma popular waltz written by
Miss Simmons.
The Society and The Wave are similar
to the Racquet with this exception that
in the Society, there is only one glide
and in the wave, or, as it is sometimes
called, the knickerbocker, there are
three glides. Each end by the kick in
air or the sideWise movement of the
forward foot,
At the recent annual meeting in this
city of the American Society Of Profess
sors Of Dancing, these dances were de-
nounced in unmeasured terms, and it
was decided that they should not be
taught in any school controlled by men,
bers of the society. This society was
formed in January, 1879, with the object
OF securing uniformity in dancing all
over, the United States. Its intention
was to discourage extravagent dancers
and to teach in their perfection the
dances in common use. It was found
that people had dozen different ways
OF dancing the Quadrille and lancers.
and that confusion frequently arose. At
present there are forty members in the
society, of whom nearly all belong out
OF the city. AT their annual meetings
in this city new dances are discussed,
figures are settled, and lessons are given
by experienced teachers to the country
dancing masters. At the last meeting it
was decided to teach no new dances.
The memL ers of the society who have
schools in this city are L. De G. Brookes,
w. B. De Garme, R. S. Manule and H.
F. H. Rivers. w. B, De Garme is the
Secretary, and Joseph T. Martin, of
Brooklyn, the Treasurer. Four of the
members are women. Mr.. De Garme
said yesterday that the Racquet, the So
ciety, the Wave and similar dances were
burlesQue on graceful dance which was
introduced by the society in 1879. This
was the Redowa Glissade, described as
follows:
Glide left feet to second position; draw
right foot to first position, raise left foot
to second and leap upon it bringing it up
to the right foot dispacing the latter
turning-two gsides to left redowa las
first) to lett, then redowa oright-turn-
ing glisade to right; redo Wa to right, and
80 on. 1t is danced to waltz or galop
music.
This was exaggerated into swaying and
kicking, and the result was that the leg
itimate. dance was killed by the bur
lesque. Now neither is taught by many
dancing masters. The society denounced
the racquet and several other dances
from the start and the bad dances
lived willie the good one died.
NJ. De Garme said that the round
dance now most in vogue is the glide
waltz, described as follows:
Glide backward with left foot, at the
same time bend both knees ~; draw
right foot, nearly to third position in
front, the weight still on left foot (2);
rise and pivot upon the heel of the
backward foot, the toe of the other
foot Swimming the floor 81; glide for
ward with right bending left knee ~;
glide left foot (the heel raised) to second
position (5); privot upon the balls of
both feet and draw right foot to first
position co.. Recommence by gliding
with the movement as described until
the movement becomes steady and I'M
broken.
To reverse. The gentleman will glide
left foot forward to fourth position
blending right knee) ~; glide foot
(heel raised) to second position (2);
pivot upon the ball Of both feet and
draw left foot to first position CD glide
backward with right (bending? ~; draw
left foot nearly to third position in front
the weight still on right foot ~; rise
and pivot Ito the Left upon the heel of
the backward foot 6).
The glide, the common waltz, and La
Russo are the only waltzes, taught by the
society. In Russo consists of two glides
to the left and one glide and glisse,
Win nall turn TO the lett. "A gllsSe IL
a half glide.
Mr.. Cartier said he did not belong to
the society. and cared nothing for its
rules and regulations. He taught the
glide waltz as being the best and most
popular, and also taught the Racquet, the
Wave and the Society. He, however, dis.
couraged all kicking and extravagant
movement of any kind. He said that
most people danced the redowa for the
waltz, the redowa being in the same
time and admitting Of more lively move
ments. People liked to feel that they
were getting around.
Mr.. John H. Trenor said that most
dancers did not know the difference be-
'ween a waltz, which is in slightly slower
ime, the feet were not taken from
the floor, while in the
redOwa> they were lifted at
each turn. The redowa glissade at the
start had been very pretty and grace
full dance, but it had been abused by vul-