El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-20
BALLOT GIVES
NIAY To THE
CLASSIC
Isadora Duncan's Barefoot
ed Skipping Starts New
Dancing School.
SOCIAL DANCING NOT
OPPOSED so BITTERLY
BY Frederic J. Haskin.

New York n. Y, jan ga great
revival of interest in social and pro-
fessional dancing has been noticed late
ly both in Europe and America Many
old dances are being revived and many
new ones originated. The dominant
feature in this new dance interest. is
the growing popularity Of the old
classic dances. 1t was stated recently
viii be as wide an acquaintance with
the classic dances and their signid-
canoe as with classic literature, and
they viii no doubt be in greater popu-
lar favor. The symbolic dances OF an
cient Greece ana Rome. the medieval
folk dances and the modern artistic
dances all have their devotees.
Passing OF she Ballet.
The ordinary ballet Of a generation
ago IS no longer in favor. The public
want something more than nigh kick
ing and the swirling Of short skirts.
The modern dance artist aims at ar
tlstic Interpretation Of feeling, and SIM
plicity Of dress IS one OF the key-nOtes
Of this. lsadOra Duncan is largely re-
sponsible for the increased interest in
classic dancing. When she came upon
the stage DarerOOred. wearing the sim
pie garb OF a Grecian maid, the au-
dience received q new sensation, but
the grace with which she took the
poses Of the old Greek statues and the
emotions they represented Tanquished
given srtistically is still popular With
American audiences
While there is always a certain at
traction about bright-hued swirling
draperies accompanied by catchy music
well manipulated electric lights and
other adjuncts. Il is rather q trashy
and dances OF this sort arc
now relegated to the vaudeville stage
and even here the classic dance is being
well received The art Of interpreting
-ra 4 - -
mic motions of the body is coming into
favor as an accomplishment for fash
ionable women Not infrequently now
a bud OF matrOn viii come before an
audience Of her friends and render a
graceful dance with the same ease and
skill with which she might give a mu-
steal selection In the best dancing
academies classic dancing IS taught
both to individuals and to groups and
with the revival Of the old dances
many modern embellishments
Is Old Form OF Amusement.
Dancing is one OF the oldest forms
Of amusement in existence, although
the ancient dance was hardly a social
diversion It was often a religious rite
performed with the greatest reverence /
David danced before the Lord for glad
ness after he had overcome his enc
mics So far as is known. no repro
duction 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 rep
resenting springtime, the harvest and
other subjects connected with print
tive life are also being taught
Until the present revival of the form
er elements OF dancing, the portrayal
Of emotion or religious feeling by mo-
1ons Of the body, modern dancing had
lost all connection with the former OBJ.
Jet 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 a
high place among American dance ar
lists, did much TO elevate the stand
ards Of professional dancing. Yet her
art was amusing rather than inspiring.
"A society woman said OF her recently: ]
"Loie Fuller was entertaining, but
Continued on next page)