The Washington herald., 1909-02-20

The art OF dancing Is experiencing a
great awakening. There is a barking back
10 the forms OF the olden days in the re-
vival Of the wonderful dances Of the
ancients. In the long ago the dancer was
an important figure in the merriment
OF court life. and perhaps we shall again
see the nimbIe-fO0ted cOTyphee the favor
ite OF kings and the pet Of nations. It
Is prophesied that the graceful art Of
Terpischore. after ages Of varying popu-
larity. viii take a place with the fine
arts. almost equal 10 that occupied By
music, painting. and sculpture
Aside from the pleasure derived from the
diversion. or its appeal TO the apprecia-
ton Of the beautiful, dancing Is now con-
sidered a most successful form Of ath-
letics for girls and young women. Pub
lie interest is aroused in a movement.
made within the last three or four years,
20 have dancing taught the girls IN the
schools and Fairgrounds OF some OF the
larger cities, quite a departure from the
curriculum OF the orthodox school room
II Is thought by the leaders OF the expert
mslt, among whom is Dr.. Luther GuhCk.
head Of the Fairgrounds OF New York. to
be most important step IN the physical
education OF girls. Dr. Gulick says that
play, II rightly directed, is OF more ben
EFT than muscular exercise
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 70
them. and It was put 70 the test Ma
uOnaI dances were selected as having the
greatest possibilities for benefit, and now
there are 1900 children and 10 teachers.
comprising IS schools. who daily have this
hour Of helpful play. often clad in the
gay costumes Of the foreign nations
whose dances they are pOrtraying-
Not only is this q Joy and a delight TO
the young participants, but It trains the
eye and the ear 20 rhythm sensitiveness
which is more noticeable IN children
than IN adults. L also stimulates the
imagination and IS a general uplift 70 the
child.
In the New YORK classes the Russian
and Swedish folk dances seem 10 appeal
most TO the little folks. This is because
they have more dash and virility. and
are thus a better outlet for the tremen-
dOUs eXuherance Of Young America. The
same system OF folk dances is employed
in Chicago. and in both cities Is upheld
and supported by women Of wealth and
influence
Akin 70 the folk dance. almost bearing
lis hall mark is the barn dance which
has taken with such & rush in the last
two years AT every festivity where dane
ing forms a part Of the entertainment the
barn dance Is sure 10 romp in and IS frOl-
icked through with great zest by the
younger dancers The present fashion Of
trailing garments and directoire costumes
is hindrance 70 the convenient perform
ance Of the barn dance. and viii likely
be the cause Of its failing in popularity.
The new school Of dancing now being
exemplifed on the stage takes the grand
est music OF the old masters and inter
prets It by the most exquisite movements.
not so much by distinct steps as a sway
ing and und1lation Of the whole body.
Although this is new 70 America. Il has
IN way, long been known across the
water As early as the seventeenth cen
fury there was dances 10 the suites Of
Bach. Handel, and others. although at
that time the physical expression was en-
dured solely for the sake Of the music
Il remained for this generation 20 make
the dance the thing OF wonderful beauty
into which Il has developed.
The famous Emma, Lady Hamilton, was
a pioneer in this form Of dancing From
studying the mural paintings unearthed
in Italy by her renowned husband. Sir
William Hamilton, she invented an IN
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. taking from them
poses which she weaves into q dance.
She has reCreated the old Greek drama
dances. and in her research she has been
aided by notable students Of Greek lore.
Ben Greet is one OF her patrons.
The Danish dancer. Nile. Genee. who
began her career Of dancing at the tender
age OF eight, invented what she called
the classical ballet. she expressed
through rhythm al she would have her
feel. The soul kiss is probably
her most remarkable production Hers is
a very different style from that Of Isa-
dora Duncan. the California girl. who Is
doing some beautiful work. Miss Dun
can. ike the English Salome. Maude Al
Ian. dances bereft Of shoes. and none TOO
warmly clad as TO the rest OF her. she
inteTprets the glorious music OF CbopIn-
Beethoven, and others with a graceful
abandon and an uplift Of Spirit which
carries her audience where she wills.
When she first appeared in her own
country she was not q success, but on
returning after hattering stay in Eu-
rope she was received with warm aUure-
citation.
Another disciple Of this new cult, with
style distinctly her own IS Ruth s..
Denis, who specializes religious. descrip- |
tive. and symbolic dances She expresses
all the senses by the waving Of her arms
and hands, and the weaving Of her steps.
Her Cobra dance is realistic and uncanny.
the intertvining OF her fingers and move
ments Of her arms representing snakes. |
with these dancers music forms
an integral part, It is done away with
in the work Of Philadelphia artist. who
dances IN a dim. religious light" Her
Qa.fce OF tls NEVdtloh Is SomDer, Won /
derful thing. done in absolute silence
and in the half light. She says that no
music can convey the impression which
she is trying TO give, so each individual
soul has to attune itself 10 some har-
moniZing melody.
Gertrude Hoffman is TO America what
Bleude Allan IS TO England, being an ex-
act copy Of the English artist Her vo-
luptuous dance OF Salome holds the on
locker with a horrible fascination. To
watch her in her flowing draperies OF
diaphanous black, wreath and Erithe
about the paliid head Of John the Ban
list. now shuddering. now IN an ecstacv /
OF love, now crushing It 70 her, then
gropingly trying 70 put II upon the pedes- /
tai near by, Is 2 ghastly and repeIlently /
fascinating sight