Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1899-04-05
AN ODD PROFESSION.
AN EXPERT REVEALS THE SECRETS
OF THE ART OF CAkEWAlkiNG-

Good walkers horn, Not Maae-imrert-
..es Of r.rt.sr nd Clothes Remarkable
Gyr.sseas and Gs.uaecsions Must he
Studied - Become win.sr.
A good cakewalker is born. just like
any other artist, writes ST. Louis
expert. A man can learn to cut up an
tics, 20 through funny movements
and win applause from an audience
that wants to be amused. but unless
he is endowed by nature all these
qualities will not make him an artist
II fellow wants to be cakewalk-
err, being nrst equipped by nature, he
should get his eagle eye out for
lady. II makes all the difference In
the world what kind OF a 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
pasmala to the minuet, though | don
mean to say that the pasmala is al
lowed in the refined cakewalk. II 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 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 twists and turns in the
cakewalk are not parts of any regular
dances. They are ingenious eontri-
| vances of our own. When q couple
come on and do their little turn. they
go through what We call a solo. Then
we have the chorus walk, the -fndi-
viduars speciality, the hoi polloi Choir
US. 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. !
usually lead and act as manager of the
entertainment.
l think the best dress for man
cakewalker is the swallowtail or the
I
coat is worn with good effect, and a
cane gives a fellow an opportunity to
find a place for his hands and adds
grace and dignity to his bearing. A
silk tile is the proper caper, especial
ly on a wellformed man. 1t makes
you look nice and shiny, shows OF
your style and gives you chance to
get in some fine salutations, bows and
courtesies with your lady. 1 always
use it. 1t is indispensable to a first
class walkers outfit. Patent leather
shoes are the best for the feet, and the
more diamonds you have the greater
your chance to make a killing. Even
ing costume is the proper thing for
ladies.
A cakewalker makes from Sc to $1s
!! a performance. / get the biggest div
Wy 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 color
ed dancers in the world, the cream
of the profession.
Contests are decided on these points:
Keeping step, making straight turns
costume, refined facial expressions
well-matched> couples and Original
l rnrv~r..--..- As---A--- .s---~
| unless for solo work.
am twenty-nfne years old, and take
| to the cakewalk like a duck to water
am a shampooer and Turkish bath
expert l have travelled with min.
strel shows, done theatrical turns anG
been in everything on the stage; so il
comes natural to me to win out in q
cakewalk battle. I've been chasing
the dough, eatable and financial, fol
nearly ten years, and I'm going te
keep at the game as long as it pays.