Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-29
The Graceful Slavonian National
Dance, the Cardas, With Music
by a Real Gipsy Band,
GIVEN IN ALLEGHENY LAST NIGHT.
Seyenty.Five Couples in a Succession Of
Sinuous Movements Oft Initiated
on the Stage.
A FRATERNAL SOCIETY'S REUNION,
Hundreds Of Spectators Of Scene Not Frequently Wit
messed Here.

"The cardas! The cardas! Come and SCI
the cardas"-and in a trice the dining
room and whole lower portion OF the Allie
gheny Turner Hall, on Canal street, wa
deserted last evening, and a rush made fol
the ballroom above.
"What is the cardas, and what on earth
is the mat:er?" "Have they all gone mad?'
''Is it sort of demonical dance?' mo,
that can hardly be the case, for there is
unison of movement of certain numbers. y
tWhat are they doing, and why are all the
/ people crowding closer and watching so in
tently the movements?" .-
These were but few of the queries that
came to the lips of the questioner
"The cardas is the national Slavonian
dance, and is one OF the numbers OF the
dances of our ball."
! "What bail?'' was asked.
"Why. this is the grand reunion and ball
of the Slavenska Braterska Svornost-Pred
Ponocou cardas," and string of "skas"
and skis" that nearly wilted the innocent
questioner.
CELEBRATED WITH A DANCE.
1t was explained that in English the
name of the society was the National
Slavonian Fraternal Union" Its members
are all natives of Slavonia, in Hungary. In
honor of the grand reunion the cardas, or
national dance, was being given with
complete gypsy band from the mountain
homes of the Slavonians, and participated
in by the Slavs from the two cities and all
OF the surrounding towns.
Seventv-fve couples OF young people.
dressed in their finest, were on the floor
and on the stage was the gypsy band, with
seven violins, two violincellos, native
saxaphone, and queer instrument that re-
sembled a piccalo in some respects. Gath
cred in the galleries, and filling all availa-
BILE space, was host of lookers-on.
Suddenly, and without any seeming
and the IS young men commenced to jump
up and down, whirl their partners, duck
their heads and glide across the floor. From
the time the band started the bodies of the
dancers were in continual contortion. It
was seemingly a combination of all the
dances under the sun, with variations
thrown in.
After the first rapid glance and study
was made of the dance it was found to be
a beautiful one. For all there was such
continual motion in all directions there was
a unison and grace and a regular time in
the music for each step. At some times the |
y sung men grasped their ladies with both |
hands by the waist, and, looking into each |
others faces, the two played ''peek-a-boo;"
this ended with a whlrl and kind of double |
heel-aud-toe shuttle.
VARIATIONS OF THE CARDAS.
In a trice the music changed, the dancers |
wheeled and went faster, until it was per-
picking how they could stand such violent
exertion. of sudden the dance went slower,
then faster, and stopped short. A glance was
given at the bronzed Gipsy musicians to see if |
they would start again, but twas done.
The dance in native Slavonia is given in the |
open air, and with the earth of the valleys for
ballroom floors. The Slavs, as well as all
do not admire horns, but prefer
the somewhat weird, but sweet and musical,
sounds that issue from the violin. reed instru-
ments. saxaphone and other like native instru-
nents.
Mr.. Peter Victor, national president of the
society. and editor of the An1eYikansko iStaUe7a-
Ske N0Utng, or american Slavonidn NeaUS-
paper, printed in this city, was present, and
said that the society has branches all over the
and a large membership. Its object
s beneficial in character. While perpetuating |
The traditions and love of the mother country, |
The members strive to become good Americans
md learn more of the country's laws and
customs.
MIR. Wolfe said that many people have little
of the home of the Slavs and other
lationalties of Hungary. Though Hungary |
S one big country, there are II distinct nation
.lites and languages. The Slavs come from
he North, while the Magyars commonly called
dungarians come from the South. The Slavs |
i've largely in the mountains
THEIR STRENGTH IN AMERICA.
MI Wolfe said that there were now about
Q. 900 of the different nationallties of Hungary
n the United States About half of this num-
Der have become citizens
Many of those who come to this country are |
killed workmen at their trades but the ma
,hinery used here is new to them. Many fam
lies take farms in the West and many more
aborerS are settling down and buying homes
han formerly. Another fact that is noticeable
s that more women are now coming to this
,ountry,
There are three Slavonic papers in the
United States. of which the one in Pittsburg Is
he Oldest. The latter is an eight-page weekly,
With 5000 pald-up subscribers. The subscrip-
ion price is S3 per year. One thing that would
urprise many people is the fact that SIS an
uch is eharped for ADVERTISING and over IL