The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-06


All the world is more or less
dance-mad and even staid folk
- of middle age whose dancing
days-they thought before the advent
Of the Tango and the Turkey Trot-
are long since over, are tripping the
light fantastic along with irresponsi-
BILE lads and lassies. The American
dances-so called in Europe-are the
craze and have become so popular in
English society, indeed, that the
Queen has seen fit to set her royal
ban upon these strenuous romps that
have replaced the waltz and the two.
step wherever a band that can play
ragtime is to be found. The secret
Of the success of the new dances is
their informality. Anybody who has
an ear for music and a sense of
rhythm can do the trot, the Tango
and the grapevine, and finished grace
and perfection are not at all requisite;.
agility is the thing and one may easily
make up for knowledge of the steps
by energy and good humor The one
step when performed by two people
who know how to dance, is really
graceful and pleasing and has little
in it to which the moralists could OBJ
ject. This dance as it is done by re-
fined people in fashionable circles has
none of the abandon and Suggestive,
ness of the original Turkey Trot after
which, of course. it's PAGES are pat
termed, yet it gives opportunity for all
the rollicking fun and energetic exer-!
else that heart could wish.
Strenuous Steps Demand Sturdy
Skirts.
A lace-frilled frock is soon reduced
to tatters in the modern dance and
most dancing costumes nowadays have.
skirts of some substantial material.
like satin, lansdowne or crepe de chine
and crossed draperies at the front or
a more or less pronounced slash per-
NIT of very free foot movement
There is no doubt that the feet are
more conspicuous in the one-step and
the Tango than they were in the waltz,
but then nobody minds a generous dis,
play of ankles these days. and the
modern dancing boots and slippers are
captivating enough to make such dis
play a thing to be grateful for rather.
than to be criticized.
Tango dancing is done at all hours
There is the morning dance, as well
as the afternoon dance and the even,
ing dance, and each has its appropri-l
ate costume. At Palm Beach last win
ter morning dances on the piazza while,
the band played were a fad, and the
custom has been taken up at the big
hotels this summer. In fact wher-
ever ragtime' is heard and people are
gathered together somebody is sure.
to start a-dancing and it takes very,
few moments indeed of the irresistible
music which sets feet a-tapping and
the body a-swaying in rhythmic re-.
eponse, to fill any available space with
gay dancers.
Afternoon dancing is SO much the,
fad in New York city that all the large
restaurants have special bathrooms set
aside for tea dances and in an OPEN
space surrounded by little tables. the
couples whirl merrily from four to
six every day in the week. Between
dances of course the restaurant reaps.
a rich harvest from the refreshments
and beverages served at the little
tables. Even during these supposedly
dull midsummer months the afternoon
dances are well attended and charm-i
ing little frock1 are worn by the fair
dancers, who "go on" after the Tango
- to dinner - some roof restaurant.