Morris tribune., 1898-04-06
THE ART OF CAKE WALKING.
Good WalkSrs Born, Not Made - Impor-
tunce Of Partner and Clothes.


tiuce Of Partner and Clothes.
A 5000 AXE walker is born, jus
like any other artist. A man cal
learn to cut up antics, go through
funny movements and win applause
from an audience that wants to bt
amused, but unless he is endowed
by nature all these qualities will no
make him an artist.
If a fellow wants to be cake
walker, being first equipped by ma
ture, he should get his eagle eye out
for a lady. 1t makes all the differ
ence in the world what kind of g
partner you have. See that she's
good looking, has fair skin and hail
not too kinky. The wavy haired
maiden is the most attractive and
the most precious too. Let her dem
onstrate to you that she can do any
thing on two feet, from the pasmala
to the minuet, though I don't mean
to say that the pasmala is allowed
in the refined cake walk. It is not.
1t is too sporty, and we always bar
it. But all these little things lend
grace and experience to the walker,
and the more of them she knows the
better.
Rehearse frequently with your
partner. Show her how to smile
when your jaws begin to crack and
agree on the best way to salute each
other. Watch the audience on this
point. See which poses they applaud
most and then play the favorites for
all they worth.
The various twists and turns in
the cake walk are not parts Of any
regular dances. They are ingenious
conuivances Of our own. When
couple come on and do their little
turn, they go through what we call
Il solo Then we have the chorus
walk, the individuals speciality, the
loi pOlloi chorus, or the one where
all hands mix in a general scramble
for exhibition honOrs, and the gen
teeI gyration of geniuses or the cho-
rus Of all stars. usually lead and
act as manager of the entertain
ment.
Ithink the best dress for a man
cake walker is the sWaIlowtail or the
Prince Albert. Sometimes the over
coat is worn with good effect, and
cane gives fellow an opportunity
to find place for his hands and adds
grace and dignity to his bearing. A
silk tileis the proper caper, especial
ly on a well formed man. It makes
you look nice and shiny, shows off
your style and gives you chance to
get in some fine salutations, bows
and courtesies with your lady. 7 al
ways use it. 1t is indispensable to a
first class walkers outfit. Patent
feathers are the best for the feet,
and the more diamonds you have
the greater your chance to make a
killing. Evening costume is the
proper thing for ladies.
A cake walker makes from Sc to
So performance. I get the biggest
divvy for managing the affairs. If
the business does not become slack,
it's the best thing in sight for a
graceful walker. St. Louis has the
best colored dancers in the world,
the cream Of the profession.
Contests are decided on these
points: Keeping step, making
straight turns, costume, refined ia
Cial expressions, we'll matched cou-
pies and original movements. March |
music is the best, unless for solo |
work.
I am 20 years old and take to the
cake walk like duck to water. I am
a shampooer and Turkish bath ex-
pert. I have travelled with minstrel
shows, done theatrical turns and |
been in everything on the stage; so
it comes natural to me to win out in
a cake walk battle. I've been chasing
the dough, eatable and financial, for
nearly ten years, and I'm going to
keep at the game as long as it pays.
Dan Washington in St. Louis Re
public.