Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-21
DANCE DISTORTIONS
STUNNED BY THOSE
WHO LOVE THE ART
Public Halls Keep Out Folk
Who Vulgarize the Mod
ern Steps and Encourage
Serious Students.

Arc modern dances becoming unpop-
ular, too difficult, too Kaleidoscope?
There is little reason for believing So.
Never has this pastime been so univer-
sal as at present. never has the keen
interest and enthusiasm been manifest
that is seen on every hand today. And
why? Because, say. dancing instructors,
the new dances are of character and
beauty which warrant popularity.
Thousands who have held up their
hands in holy horror at the mere mem
ton of modern" dance are being con-
WINGED daily that the supposedly "vul-
gar" steps are in reality graceful and
without suggestion of the improper.
II Is true that the modern dances. or
any dance for that matter, may be vul-
garizod, but II is only those who have
not had proper instruction who distort
the steps. But with the greatly in
creased popularity of the public dance
halls this objection is rapidly being over
come.
once more the puritanc raise their
hands in holy horror, The public dance
hall. Horrible! Disgraceful! And yet
It is fact that such people are as far
amiss In their conception OF the halls as
they are in that of the dances.
At one time the public dance hall was
well not what 1t should have been.
But conditions change, reform begins and
the purifying process Is speedily real
lied No better example of this exists
than the public dance halls. The class
of people who visit them is not a "vul-
gar crowd; on the contrary, they are
patronized by perfectly respectable. in
fact ultra respectable people who desire
instruction in the dances that they may
avoid the criticism which would justly
fall upon them If they danced the newer
steps without knowing how.
They not only accomplish their purpose
but do so at no expense, for instruction
In such halls Is given free of charge, and
then, too, they have an opportunity to
dance with other enthusiasts. and there
Is perhaps no quicker method of be-
coming proficient In the steps than by
dancing with number OF persons.
DANCES ARE STANDARDIZED"
Again, the public halls have responded
TO the elevated tone OF the modern dances
in ways too numerous to mention. Great
care has been taken to provide proper
ventilation, the music is OF the very best
ana every precaution is taken TO keep alb
solutely every Objectionable would-be
patron from gaining admission to the
dances.
An objection to the new dances often
heard Is that you must know just how
your partner does the steps In order to
avoid hopeless confusion. Again, the pub
iic dance hall must be pointed out as the
means by which this difficulty is obyiated.
lor the dances are rapidly being stan
Gardlzed,' and in halls where everyone
mas learned the standard steps no such
dllhculty is experienced
Another charge which is frequently
Drought up in opposition to the dances
was was expressed the other day by a girl
VINO didn't know"
What's the use OF my learning them?"
she asked. Before | learn to do one well
another will have bobbed up and I'll be
as badly OF as ever"
BEAUTIFUL DANCES SURVIVE.
This is fallacy. 1t is true that new
oanees are appearing, but 1t is not true
mat they drive the others out. The
twinkle" the Fox Trot" and others
numbering legion may appear. but viii
not dislodge the "Maxixe." the Tango"
smu the hesitation" Whsn a dance Is
Iouhd to be beautiful 1t does not give
ssaS III any short space OF time TO newer
1ahees which prove TO be less beautiful
|ol' a,though the country may be dance
49, Is discriminating; the ugly
uSmee r perishes, but the graceful remains
,o.Htt, lHaI this country is Just realizing the
Rtossloiities Of the poetry Of motion" Is a
!SeI !SSeI which cannot be denied. Witness
t,S ne nfeathless interest with which grace |
80. ~ uancers Of the stage are watched and |
'ts applause that they receive.
q 10 uo 70 the moving picture theatre, where |
Inns showing the proper methods OF per-
comnt me DANCES are displayed, ana |
t,,It tolht The number Of people who stay for |
performances In order that they may |
- -, me steps firmly in mind, or note the |
.,TnlTer s,Ill Of homes In which Photographs !
csiI dance music nightly, and lastly |
~ upon some OF the professors" OF |
modern dancing ana see folk receiving 1
private Instruction.
,li1'ing done this even the most puri- |
tbst the puritans viii be convinced |
S,sr,.se sae universally OF the dances u