The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-01-30
WAR ON SHIMMIE
now DECLARED BY
DANCING MASTERS
OId-FaShiOned Keep-YOur-
Distance Dances to Dis
place Modern Steps Accord
ing to Plans Formed.

NEW YORK, Jan. Sold. fashioned,
keep-your- distance dances are 70 DIS
place the modern jazz steps, II the
nAtiOn- wide reform movement UNDER
taken By the American National Asso-
station Of Masters OF Dancing proves
successful The dancing masters, Il IS
announced here. count upon the sup
port OF mothers, fathers, daughters,
sons. dance-hall proprietors. dancing
teachers and hostesses--and, II neces-
sary, the police department-to exter-
inmate the "half-Nelson, body hold, =,
ballroom grips which are practleed by
some dancers.
Cheap and vulgar music also Is to
come under the ban, and. according TO
a circular just issued by the assocla-
ton, those in charge OF community or
public dances are urged 70 show their
opposition 10 undesirable dances by dis
tributing You will please leave the
kall cards to those who persist In Of
Tending.
Women to Blame.
The women, Il is charged. are often
as much to blame as their partners
and, In some cases dance hall proprie-
tors are advised 10 pick out 10 or a
dozen objectionable couples and, II a
warning is disregarded, to Gust them
1T once.
sYou win soon see" the circular
reads, ''that you have raised the stand
ard Of your establishment aud that the
loss will be more than made UP by
double the number Of persons who have
respect for you and your dances"
Some OF the rules and regulations
which all are urged 10 obey are, dance
music should be bright and cheerful,
properly accented and the phrases well
divided; cheap, vulgar music Of the ex-
NeaFtsa 10 tNrFh M
meaningless dancing, 1t Is useless to
expect refined dancing when the mu-
sic lacks all refinement, for, after all.
what is dancing but an Interpretation
OF muster
: The association has adopted the fol-
lowing tenpos, II being impossible, the
masters say, TO regulate fast dancing:
Waltz .........4s measures to minute
Iwo-step ..,....54 measures to minute
0ne-step GO measures 10 minute
fox trot ..,..., 40 measures to minute
Dancers should assume light grace
fnl position" the masters say. There
should be. no jerky half-steps for these
cause undesirable variations. Partners
should not dance with cheeks close or
touching, nor should the clasp be tight.
Neck holds are positively unpardon-
able. The gentleman's arms should en-
circle his partners waist, his hand
resting lightly Just above the waist
INV AuC lduy iHIl arm cnOOlQ not
encir.le her partners shoulders or neck.
Abolish Shimmie.
steps or movement that cannot be
controlled should not be taught BY
dancing teachers. Short sde-steps,
lirst right, then left, when done con-
tiHuously, are not conducive TO refined
9ancinE and should not be permitted.
6himmie dancing, a shaking or Jerk
mg 81 the upper part Of the body while
taking Short steps or standing still,
should not be tolerated.
TIE proper dancing step should be
the same as a natural walking one, ex-
cept In exhibition dancing, which prom
erly belongs TO the stage, not the ball
room, Exceptionally long or short steps
are not in good form.
Dancing should be from the waist
Gown. not from the waist up. Copying
OF the extremes used on the modern
stage Is in bad taste. THE majority
OF dancers desire to dance according
70 the best accepted standards. that is,
without the slightest trace Of offense
70 dignity or decorum."