The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-27
ART OF CAKEWALKING.
Good Walkers Born, Not Made
Partners and Clothes.

A good cakewalker is born, just like
any other artist. A man can learn to
cut up antics, go through funny move
ments and win applause from an audi
ence that wants to be amused, but
unless he is endowed by nature all
these qualities will not make him an
artist.
If fellow wants to be a cake
walker, being first equipped by nature,
he should get his eagle eye out for a
lady. 1t makes all the difference in the
world what kind of partner you have.
See that she's good looking, has fair
skin and hair not too kinky. The wavy-
haired maiden is the most attractive
and the most precious, too. Let her
demonstrate to you that she can do
anything on two feet, from the pas
mala to the minuet, though I don't
mean to say that the pasmala is al
lowed in the refined cakewalk. 1t is
not. 1t is too sporty, and we always
bar It,. But all these little things lend
grace and experience in the walker,
and the more of them she knows the
better.
Rehearse frequently with your part
ner. 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're worth.
The various turns and twists in the
cakewalk are not parts of any regular
dances. They are ingenious contriv-
ances of our own. When a couple come
on and do their little turn, they go
have the chorus walk, the Individual S
speciality, the hoi polloi chorus, or the
one where all hands mix in a general
scramble for exhibition honors, and the
genteel gyration of geniuses or the
chorus of all stars. 1 usually lead and
act as manager of the entertainment.
/ think the best dress for man cake
walker is the swallowtai or the Prince
Albert. Sometimes the overcoat is
worn with good effect, and a cane gives
a fellow an opportunity to find a place
for his hands and adds grace and dig
nifty to his bearing. A silk tile is the
proper caper, especially on a we'll
formed man. 1t makes you look nice
and shiny, shows off your style and
gives you a chance to get in some fine
salutations, bows and courtesies with
your lady. / always use it, 1t is in
dispensable 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 killing. Evening costume is the
proper thing for ladies'
A cakewalker makes from So to $50
performance. I get the biggest divvy
for managing the affairs. If the bust
ness 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 profess
sion.
Contests are decided on these points:
Keeping step, making straight turns,
costume, refined facial expressions.
well-matched couples and original
movements. March music is the best,
unless for solo work
I am 30 years old and take to cake
walking like duck to water. I am
a shampooer and Turkish bath expert.
I have travelled with minstrel shows.
done theatrical turns and been in ev-
erything on the stage; SO it comes nat
ural to me to win out in a cakewalk
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 Washing
ton. in st. Louis Republic.