Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-20
THE MODERN DANCE.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.


A great revival Of interest in social and
professional dancing has been noticed
lately both in Europe and America.
Many old dances are being revived
and many new ones originated. The
dominant feature in this new dance in
terest is the growing popularity of the
old classic dances. 1t was stated re-
Gently that within the next two years
there will be as wide an acquaintance
with the classic dances and their signin-
canoe as with classic literature. and they
will no doubt be in greater popular ia
vor. The symbolic dances of ancient
Greece and Rome the medieval folk
dances and the modern artistic dances
all have their deyotees.
The ordinary ballet of a generation ago
is no longer In favor. The public wants
something more than high kicking and
the swirling of short skirts. The mod
ern dance artist aims at artistic inter-
probation of feeling, and simplicity OF
dress Is one Of the keynotes to this. Isa-
dora Duncan is largely responsible Tor
the increased interest in classic dancing.
When she came upon the stage bare
footed, wearing the simple garb OF q
Grecian maid. the audience received
new sensation, but the grace with which
she took the poses of the old Greek
statues and the emotions they repre-
scented vanquished the critics The
barefoot dance: when given artisticai-
ly, is still popular with American audi
ences.
While there is always q certain attrac-
ton about bright-hued, swirling draperies
accompanied by catchy music, well ma
nipulated electric lights and other ad-
juncts. it is rather a trashy attraction.
and dances Of this sort are now relegated
to the vaudeville stage. and even here the
classic dance is being well received. The
art Of interpreting feeling, as did the an
GENTS by rhythmic motions Of the body. Is
coming into favor as an accomplishment
for fashionable women. Not infrequently
now a bud or matron will come before an
audience of her friends and render q
graceful dance with the same ease and
skill with which she might give musical
selection. In the best dancing academies
classic dancing Is taught both to tndi-
viduals and to groups. and with the re-
wal Of the old dances comes many mod
ern embellishments.
Dancing is one Of the oldest forms of
amusement in existence. although the an
cient e
Dancing One Of Old was hardly q
Forms Of Amusement. sion It wa.
often a religious rite performed with the
greatest reverence. David danced before
the Lord for gladness after he had over
come his enemies So far as Is known.
no reproduction Of David's dance ever has
been given. but later dances OF triumph.
joy and victory have been shown for
many classes Of dancers. Nature dances
representing springtine, the harvest and
other subjects connected with primitive
life are also being taught
Until the present revival OF the former
elements Of dancing the portrayal of
emotion or religious feeling by motions OF
die body modern dancing had lost all
connection with the former object Of the
art. Even the professional dancer sought
to dazzle and enrapture her audience
rather than to awaken In them feelings
of dramatic interest. LOie Fuller, who has
been awarded high place among Amer
lean dance artists, did much to elevate
the standards Of professional dancing. Yet
her art was amusing rather than inspir-
ing. A society woman said OF her re-
cently: "Loie Fuller was entertaining
hut when 1 think OF her dancing years
aeo and compare 1t with that of our new
est dancers am compelled to admit that
she made her strongest impression upon
me from the fact that she originated the
accordion-plaited SKIRT Her art, IL sucl,
it was, left no lasting impression upon
me-"
The social dance IL decidedly q mod