Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-20

ern institution when compared with the
professional dance. The different figures
and dances OF the earliest forms were
conceived by the court dancing master.
who studied and created them in much
the same manner that an artist creates
a picture. Some of them were quickly
forgotten, but others passed down from
generation to generation. The stately
ion. although 1t has been seldom seen
during the last few years. 1t has lately
had revival Of interest and some OF
the bellies and beaux of the present
danced out the old year with as stately
a tread as their colonial ancestors. The
dance permitted to the mistress of the
White House There may be waltzes
and two-steps for the entertainment OF
her guests, but the first lady in the
land abstains from them.
The minuet is Of French origin. 1t
was originally a rural dance and came
to Paris about
Minuet Originated 1850. It flourish
in Rural France r re,pn curing of 1o shs
XIV, but was most popular under Louis
XIV. The quadrille is also OF French
origin. and was introduced in London in
1915. At first this resembled the minuet
and had stately steps. which have so de-
generated that to most people 1t is little
more than walking through a dance.
The waltz is Of German origin The
popularity Of the waltz in America was
first due to the fact that about the mid
die Of the nineteenth century fashiona-
BILE young men from New York and the
southern states were sent to Vienna to
complete their education. Many Of them
enlisted for a term in the Austrian cav
airy to learn to fence. to ride and to
dance. The Austrian officers were con-
sidered the best walters In the world.
and the American men learned from
them. The Boston dance. which appear
ed about the time Of the civil war, was
form of waltz resulting from the de-
mands Of the German waltz and the re-
fusal of the New England conscience to
relax,
The two-step has supplanted the waltz
In popularity in many places. It was
largely popularized by Sousa, whose two
as the strauss waltzes. Both the two
step and the waltz require a greater
amount Of dancing skill than some OF
the other popular dances, and for this
reason are not likely to go entirely out
upon their musical accompaniment for
their success.
*
Each years brings out some new dance
figure which, as a novelty. is popu-
ar with GER
Appearance Each Year tain class Of
Of Some New Dance. though strong a
ly criticised by the conservative, The
'raQuet" was q variety OF schottische
which had q fieeting favor with the last
generation. It's legitimate successor is
the barn dance" which was introduced
two or three years ago and is still pOpu-
lar In some localities. The barn dance"
is generally accompanied by some form
Of ragtime music and, while 1t is not to
be tolerated for formal occasions. 1t yet
has certain attractions for exuberantly
spirited young people.
The Darktown cakewalk." which was
so much talked Of before the advent OF
the barn Dance" is almost buried in
oblivion. It Ia said to be the real African
dance, although many contend that 1t
was never a dance, but only walk with
more or less emphasized eccentrfctties- 1t
Is supposed to have originated In PLAN
tation days when the best walker was
awarded the prize Of the evening. huge
cake.
Lately several new dances with more