Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-07-21
scs:ErHING ABOUT DANCING.
Wonderful Terpsichorean Art of the
Ancients is Being Revived.

Ancients is Being Revived.
In all the ages OF the world tine art o.
dancing has played an important part in
the nations life. Only in the Puritanit
period has it fallen into allegiance, and
that is but q short episode in the cycles Of
historic time. There are signs OF great
awakening OF this graceful art, which APP
peals to the rhythmic and poetic sense OF
the people, and will not for long be totally
suppressed.
The scriptures contain many instances OF
the dance. The dance OF triumph, as that
OF Miriam after the destruction OF the
Egyptian hosts in the Red sea; the re-
ligious dance; and the dance sensual. as OF
Saiome before Herod. The dance OF
priestesses in the pagan temples, the choric
dances OF the Greeks, all have been de-
scriped in the pages of history. The
dances of primitive tribes, the stately
court dance OF past generation, the folk
dances, all have their place in the inti-
mate life OF man. Now the value Of the
dance as health giver and developer Of
pidN II anu ulusNlt lti wy at'0 81 20 - ~
ing recognized more and more; and the art
may be said to be coming into its own
once more.
The boys of New York had their gym
nasiums, which are of inestimable value,
but until recently no provision was made
for the girls. Noting this oversight, the
wise heads in command set about to de-
wise some way of helping the situation.
Finally the idea OF dancing occurred to
them. and it was put to the test. National
dances were selected as having the great
est possibilities for benefit, and now there
are 5000 children and lis teachers COM
prising sixty-eight schools, who have
daily this hour of helpful play, often clad
in the gay costumes of the foreign nations
whose dances they are portraying.
Not only is this joy and delight to the
young participants, but it trains the eye
and ear to rhythm sensitiveness to which
Is more noticeable in children than in
adults. 1t also stimulates the imagina-
tion and is general uplift to the child.
In the New York classes the Russian and
Swedish folk dances seem to appeal most
strongly to the little folks. This is be-
cause they have more dash and virility,
and are thus better outlet for the tree
mendous exuberance of young America.
The same system of folk-dances is en-
ployed in Chicago, and in both cities is
upheld and supported by women OF wealth
and influence.
Akin to the folk dance, almost bearing
its hall mark, is the barn dance,
which has taken with such q rush in the
last two years. At every festivity where
dancing forms part Of the entertainment
the barn dance is sure to romp in, and Is
fro.icked through with great zest by the
younger dancers. The present fashion Of
trailing garments and directoire costumes
is hindrsnce to the convenient perform
ance OF the barn-dance, and will likely
be the cause of its failing in popularity.
The new school OF dancing now being
exemplified on the stage takes the grand
est music of the old masters and interprets
it by the most exquisite movements; not
so much BY distinct steps as by swaying
and undulation of the whole body. AL
been known in way across the water.
As early as the seventeenth century there
were dances to the suites of Bach, Handel,
and others, although at that time the
physical expression was endured solely
for the sake of the music. 1t remained
for this generation to make the dance the
thing OF wonderful beauty in,o which it
has developed.
The famous Emma, Lady Hamilton, was
pioneer in this form OF dancing. From
studying the mural paintings unearthei
in Italy by her renowned husband, Sir
William Hamilton, she invented an I'M
usual and beautiful dance. The same plan
has been followed By the successful
American sculptress dancer, Mrs. Lou Wall
Moore, who studies the old Grecian vases
and statues, takin from them poses
which she weaves into dance. She has
recreated the old Greek drama dances, and
in her research she has been aided by
is one OF her patrons.
The Danish dancer, Mile. Genee, who
began her career OF dancing at the tender
age of eight, invented what she called the
classical ballet. She expressed through
rhythm all she would have her audience
feel. The ''soul kiss is proba bly, her most
remarkable production. Here is very
different style from that of Isadora Dun
can, the California girl, who is doing some
beautiful work. Miss Duncan, like the
English Salome, Maude Allan, dances be-
reft of shoes, and none too warmly clad.
She interprets the glorious music OF
Chopin, Beethoven and others with a
graceful abandon and an uplift OF spirit
which carry her audience where she wills
When she first appeared in her own coun-
try she was not success; but on return
ing after fiattering stay in Europe she
was received with warm appreciation.
Another disciple Of this new cult, with a
style distinctly her own, is Ruth st. Denis,
who specializes religious descriptive, and
symbolic dances. She expresses all the