davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1921-06-05
She Gets On After Fashion
Despite HandicapS in Vaudeville

Coming from ReCtor's where IL was
often difficult to find an audience In the
mood for my dancing, | encountered other
handicaps on the vaudeville stage. Sand
wched in between black face comedy act
and song and dance skit there were times
when it was quite impossible TO send across
the footlights anything that had much
chance of awakening an enthusiastic re-
sponse. But | did get on after fashion.
"In London | ran as headlincr and
came back to this country as premiere
danseuse in Everything" nj the Hippo
drome. BY that time ] had become quite
Russian My temperament. my talent
everything about me was explained bv my
Russian birth. II was rather hatterinE on
tho one hand, but perplexing at times to
ones national conscience.
Thinking IL over | decided IL was all
wrong. Why should an American girl he
obliged to accept n foreign label before she
could expect to gain any success In her
own country? why couldn't there be a
made in America dancing that would have
an even chance with the imported brands?
"The answer was quite obvious There
was i'm New York no medium for classical
dancing. Any young girl who came 10
town. no matter what her talents or ambi-
tons. would be up against the same PROPOSE
tion that ! faced. made few solemn
vows that if I were ever in q position 10
change this order OF things ] would do my
utmost whatever the cost
And to-day Mime. Lubovska the Ameri-
can girl with the Russian name. is the
founder OF the National American Ballet,
Inc and is serving as its first president.
The purpose Of the ballet Is defined as an
institution for the fostering developing and
training of American students devoted 90
the art Of dancing and 10 provide centre
where ideas of the individual artist will be
developed and properly presented
The ballet will have up 10 one thousand
members. selected from pupils who have
reached the highest standards OF artistic
performance in various dancing schools
throughout the country Each year the
organization will send on tour an original
production which will be constructed along
the lines of grand opera with each ballet
headed by a recognized artist and all mem
bers given an opportunity Of being featured
according to the merits which they exhibit.
Whether or not the national aspect OF
the ballet will be carried 10 the point OF
governmental control. as in other countries.
has not as yet been decided. \ Washington
committee is working along these lines TO
discover If there is enough national interest
in the ballet to make II q recognized Gov
ernment institution
Merdlcmuth Farm will serve as n head
quarters and training camp during the sum
mer months This is an extensive country
estate, three miles out Of Hightstown, New
The New York herald., 1921-06-05
VisitingNeWYOr reatLiteraryShrine

side, the little old fashioned stone mansion,
all gable ends, and as full OF angles and cor
ners as an old cooked hat"
Every inch of this locality teens with
historical traditions and legendary lore.
While gazing over the waters of Tappan
Zee, celebrated in New York's history, ones
mind reverts TO the doings there OF other
days when stout galeys armed with IS
Founders and navigated with sails and oars
cruised about like hawks" And then he is
suddenly brought back to the present by a
striking contrast when an excursion boat
gives a sociable squeak as II passes peace
fully up the river.
One wonders what old Wolfert Eckers.
who built "wolfert's Roost," and whose
motto. placed over the door was Lust IN
Rust" which being interpreted means
Pleasure in Quiet" would think Of the
noise made by the passenger trains that
tear past the Roost every few minutes, To-
say nothing of a fifty car freight train with
it's locomotive bechng fire and smoke and
it's chains and rusty joints rafting, creakng
and gliding around the curves like giant
dragon.
There is in sleepy Hollow Cemetery
headstone that proclaims the resting place
of wofert E,ckers. Only the noise of the
automobiles passing along Broadway reach
the spot, and what remains OF Wotert may
still find Lust in Rust"
In visiting Sunnyside one should leave
The New Yorl% Central train at Irvington
and walk a few blocks up the main street
in broadway. Then turn TO the left and
follow Broadway until little blue sign
attached to post indicates sunnyside Lane
The New York herald., 1921-06-05

author twenty-five years ago and promised
himself an early visit to the sacred spots
In Tarrytown and lrvngton Although he
has lived in New York and passed Tarry-
town by boat and train countless times not
until quite recently did he set foot upon the
land made famous by Irving.
Wealthy New Workers, however. have
shown appreciation of Irving's land by buy
ing and converting into estates practically
all of the surrounding countryside. In fact,
the only spot left to the public is Sunnyside
Lane. which runs from the Albany Post road,
or Broadway. as IL is now called, to Sunny
side, the house i'm which Irving wrote "The
Life of Washington" and many of the le-
gends and in which the gentle spirit of
Americas greatest author passed away on
November 2S, 1859.
Sunnyside Lane most closely resembles
some of the lanes in rural England. II is
fun Of curves and delightfully."- shaded al
though the sun pops through the trees at
unexpected places as if it were playing hide
and-seek And then suddenly you hear the
brook, the thrilling brook, still "babbling
down the ravine and throwing itself into the
little cove where of yore the water guard
harbored their whaeboats."
More than half way down the lane one
comes to the big iron gate that guards
Sunnyside, which Irving has described in
"Wolfert's Roost." The pilgrim may follow
the lane until it brings him to spot where
a splendid view Of Tappan Zee may be OBJ
taincd.
BY walking hundred feet along the rail
road track one may get fairly good peep
through the trees and shrubs at sunny
The New York herald., 1921-06-05
Glare and Glamour Fail to Offset
Weakness in Way of Interpretation

While IL may be held that these are sub
jects to be exploited in musical comedies
and burlesque choruses. our verdict is
that anything which the lighter forms of
entertainment can use with mediocre sue
cess can be converted into real success by
genuine artists. Gorgeous the ballet
spectacle may be, technically perfect their
performances doubtless are, the interpreta-
tive part of the programme usually fails to
meet the requirements of the average au-
dience. If we could once sit through an
evening of ballet and know what it was all
about we should spend less time at the
Ziegfeld Follies and more with the legitimate
ballet.
Glancing over the schedule of ordinary
ballet evening, come to an original
Tbetan dance a Kassandra Ga Greek
NEUROLOGICAL dance), an Egyptian cere-
monial dance, a Boyarsky (Ftussian court
dance), sun dance of the Aztecs. On no
one of these subjects have we any certain
knowledge. Without the programme
would be sure to confuse the Kassandra
with the Boyarsky and far as getting
on with our ballet education the evening
would be total loss. AS do not feel
able to judge accurately the authenticity of
the sun dance of the Aztecs the dance
must show something besides glare and
glamour to hold our attention.
If the ballet people would come down
on our own plane. talk our own language
and ask our cooperation, ii would certainly
hold out more alurements for the average
man.
Perhaps the National American Ballet.
Inc, will strive for the all-American ballet.
from the dance itself to the dancing master.
Perhaps not. At all events the American
ballet plans to give the American girl
opportunity to make good in her country
under her own name. Only a few hyphen-
ated pessimists doubt the ultimate outcome.
The New York herald., 1921-06-05
When She Failed to Take
The Managers Into Account

However, there were one or two elements
that she had neglected to consider in plan
ming her stardom. Chief Of these, perhaps
was a certain exclusive body of bald headed
gentlemen who, collectively and individually.
direct the theatrical productions Of the
nation. In other words she had omitted the
manager from her schedule of worries. As
the days went by she was rapidly unde-
ceved on this point.
Classic dancing" groancd the man be-
hind the pcrfecto. Nav. we don't want no
classics Take em away"
"Hghbrow stuff" commented another.
"Thc public don't want 1t. | tell you. Give
me something with punch TO IT, dance
that hrts with folks emotions
But my dance is emotional Tho girl
saw it was hopeless to appeal to the man
ayers intellect. but she had to try
would It make the tired business man
want to grab you up in his arms and carry
you off to Rochester or Hoboken?"
NO" admitted the girl. I'm afraid 1t
isn't quite chat kind Of a dance. You see.
it's classical"
"BaFF" said the manager. Take it away"
Asd she did She wrapped the classic stuff
rsp carefully in tissue paper tied 1t with a
pink ribbon and hid it in the bottom Of her
trunk. Then she went into the Cabarets as
q jazz artist and na5s good without half
The New York herald., 1921-06-05

that the first production next season will
be a credit to American dancing methods
and American dancers. Backed by some of
the leading artists of the country and by
many enthusiastic supporters of the scheme,
Nine. Lubovskas task has not been diff
cult as some pioneer work
On the art board of the ballet Mrs.
John w. Alexander, Mrs. Langdon Geer,
Nine. Lubovska. Mana-Zucca, NJ, ID. Craw-
ford, l.. S. Rothafel, Victor Herbert, Walter
Russell Alexander Leftwich and Raymond
Sovey.
The list of patrons and patronesses in
cludes Nine Anna Pavowa, Eleanor De
Cisneros, Irene Castle, Lillian Gish. Minnie
Madern Fiske, Mrs. Hilborne Roosevelt. Mrs.
D. Callimahos. Mrs. F. l.. Harrison, Daniel
Frohman. Hugo Riesenfeld and Charles
Boscowitz
There has been as yet no nationwide re-
sponse to the call for volunteers for the
American ballet. Special trains have not
pulled into New Jersey filled with dancers
eager to participate in the movement. But
there is every Indication that the proposal
has been met with approval and interest
throughout the country. Sentiment favoring
a purely American ballet. without drawing
on talent from other nations appears to be
quite universally expressed.
Nine Lubovska has absolute faith in the
ballet that will not fall below the standard
set by other countries. but she does not
ignore the advantages to be gained from
visiting other lands.
my career has led me-" Nine. Lubovska
explained, from an old Spanish home in the
shadow of the palace of Porfrio Diaz in
Mexico city to the giant stage at the Hip
podrome.
"It may truly be said to have begun when
as q little child l went with my mother to
make our home in the capital of Mexico.
For pantomime is the true basis of all inter
pretative dancing, and pantomime is more
natural than speech to the Latin people.
with whom | was surrounded during the
most impressionable years of my life"
For more faithful rendering of her
favorite Egyptian dance, Nine. Lubovska
went to Egypt and spent several months
studying the country. the people and their
customs. Besides her years in Mexico she
has lived in Europe and in South America.
Yet she is as American as any girl from
Minnesota can be-
II has been suggested that for an abso-
The New York herald., 1921-06-05

- lew WORKERS are noted for their
Indifference to the attractions of
their own city and its environs
Gothamitcs return from other States and
sightseeing trips abroad and declare that
little old New York" is the best Of all, but
they seldom explain in what respect it rivals
other States and cities. The fact is they
can't Frequently one hears people say in
almost Dragging tones that their country
cousins know more about sight places" in
New York than they do themselves. Many
others are driven to observe some handsome
building nearby BIZ Of scenery or historical
spot because some foreigner has written in
praise of ID.
Perhaps the reason for this is that so
many things are brought to our attention
every day the old interests arc neglected
Cor the new That h. why every once in
while We read with CONSERVATION that
another city landmark whose chronicles
simply tcem with historical sentiment has
been pulled down 90 make room for a new
office building. factory or public institution
New York can boast of the greatest lit
erary shrine IN America and yet 1t is a
deplorable fact that any gardener employed
in sleepy Hollow Cemetery. immortalized by
Washington Irving. will toll YOU that more
pilgrims Co the grave OF tho beloved author
come from Idaho and the state " Washing
ton than from New York know an Irving
enthusiast who read every line Of the great
The New York herald., 1921-06-05
Training Season Now Open
Al Summer Home of the Ballet

Sponsored by social leaders and patrons
of the arts, the inaugural demonstration of
the ballet was given last February at the
Town Hall. Yesterday the training camp
opened for it's initial season at Merdemuth
Farm, the summer bome of the ballet, near
Princeton n. J.
While the actual formation of the ballet
and the success of it's early career may he
credited to many sources the original in
spiration came from the typical experience
of typically American girl in a one sided
tilt with the Russian ballet.
Six or eight years ago a slim. dark eyed
girl from Minnesota arrived in New York
city There was very little of the spec
dacular about her entrance. She had a
handbag. a carry all trunk, perfectly good
mother. and she could dance. Otherwise her
equipment for metropolitan invasion was
nothing to boast about
Along with some hundreds of other girls
who f1ocked in from all parts of the country,
she had an idea that dancing was one of
the accepted ways for a woman to gain
fame. fortune and her name in the bright
lights. Like the others. she felt fairly con-
fident that New York the one spot on
the map where a girl could leap into prom
inence without giving an account of her
past triumphs in other towns There were
at least dozen girls on the same train who
emphasized this point particularly.
Quite different from most of the others.
the girl from Minnesota had evolved her
own scheme Of capturing the public. She
had dance that had never been done before
on any stage. She danced more with her
arms than she did with her feet. Judged
mathema tically. her dance was a challenge
to the most complicated problem in solid
geometry. She could perform more angles
10 the minute than the average girl could
in lifetime There were other angular
dancers in the profession. but no one Of
them had the repertoire Of sensational de-
tails included in the dance Of the girl from
Minnesota
The New York herald., 1921-06-05
NEW
NUMBERS
BEING
ARRANGED
FOR
NEXT
SEASON

trying. But with an the extra pocket money
and the popularity among the patrons she
kept remembering that by nature she was
classical dancer.
One day she came TO terms with semi
classical producer The conversation fol
lowed the customary course The producer
began by asking impertinently where she
came from.
Minnesota" she admitted meekly.
That's bad" said the producer. "in fact.
it's almost impossible No American girl
can get away with classic dancing. The
public won't stand for ii. You've got to be-
Russian or remain nobody i'm the dancing
game"
In the end they arranged a compromise.
usual percentage OF classic material, and
the girl from Minnesota consented 20 become
Nine. Desree Lubovska Of Russia ct al
And now that we have revealed the iden-
tty of the Western girl as Lubovska. the
triumphant, premiere danseusC founder OF
the National American Ballet and exponent
of a new artistic standard in American stage
dancing, perhaps II is just well TO let
Nine. Lubovska continue the story.
"Of course, ! didn't like giving up my
American name" she said 1T was almost
like giving up my country. But the man
ayers insisted. They said that while my
dancing might please the public. I wouldn't
be worth nickel with an American name.
| had to become a Russian whether ! liked
II or not
The New York herald., 1921-06-05

farm life. Probably even a ballet dancer
would hesitate at the necessity of rising at
a. NJ. To milk the cows. Haying under "a
lO2 degree sun and wedding the garden
through the back stretch of "A sultry sum
mer day has no official place on the daily
programme But moonlight dancing in a
grove Of trees is set down as an essential.
But however the details of the first en-
campment work out. Nine. Lubovska be-
licves that the ballet has passed beyond the
experimental stye. She confidently expects
The New York herald., 1921-06-05

lutte. 100 per cent. pure-as the expression
goes-American ballet even the source of
the dance should be restricted to American
products. There are difficulties in adhering
too closely to the nations history and de-
veopment. The native American Indian
warwhoop dance, for instance, cannot read
lily be thought of in classical language. The
Southern darkey jig has degenerated into
the modern jazz and been discarded accord
ingly. Obviously, the American ballet must
seek further fields.
A Puritan blue law ballet should come
entirely within the range of modern dancers.
Exhuming the old laws and interpreting
them according TO the original Puritan in
tentions might serve posterity and present
spectacle which would be wholly pleasing to
the human eye Featuring the good well
as the bad aspects of the blue Sunday in
single dance should not be too undignified a
pursuit for the ballet masters.
A California weather ballet, rock ribbed
Republican dance, a middle West sym
postum a moonshine sonata, Kentucky
blue grass CONVENTIONAL of these are
available if the ballet people would consent
to America first.
The New York herald., 1921-06-05
BY TORREY FORD.

iNOSSIBLY America could get alone
- without a national ballet Other
tions have gone far without one Blu;
this purely utlitarian estimate of the mat
ter is not to be tolerated in circles artistic
and otherwise. Whether or not the country
as whole appreciates the need of it, the
National American Ballet is well on the way
toward development.
In spite of the high cost of dancing slip
pers, the popular demand for jazz and more
jazz and the persistent box office pessimism
of the theatrical producers the idea has
gone forward. Plans have been conceived,
articles of Incorporation drawn up, the train
ing camp opened and other details arranged
to give America a dancing chorus that will
be to the country in every way what the
Imperial Ballet to Russia prior to the
Trotzky -Lenine regime.
The New York herald., 1921-06-05
Professional Training 70 Begin
For Dancers AZ the Are of =

In connection with Merdlcmuth Farm
there will be- training school for girls who
are not eligible for the ballet No student
may qualify Tor the ballet until she has
reached the axe ~ rs years Professional
training viii begin fof dancers a. the axe OF
10. carrying them hvc consecutive summers
10 the aEe of ~, when they should be quail
hcd 90 enter the ballet productions IN no
way will the organization conflict with the
education ~ its dancers The course will
DE- conducted only during the summer
months
Requirements Tor entrance. either - stu
dents or members include rhythm. physique
natural grace and seriousness ~ purpusr
The ballet is founded NOT upon mere phy-
sical technique bat serious understanding.
study and practice ~ tho kindrrd arts 80
that any American artist whether he d.
painter. sculptor. designer murirlau author
or dancer. may submit bic work to h. ca
plotted through the medium ~ the art ~
the dance
Although Mime Lubuvska d chiefly known
as an Egyptian danter. no department ~
dancing will be- neglcctcd in the school The
list includes Greek. toe ballet ciassir. foik.
dramatic, interprctativc. nantomime. history
and meaning of music costume designinE.
scenery and lighting effects
Arrangements have becn made 90 accom-
modate az Mordlcmuth Farm as guests
mothers and chaperones artists. singers au-
thors and students of the drama Special
courses will be open to guests who are not
being trained as dancers Gue.ts may reg
lister for as brief period ss q weekend or
for tho entire season
In the plans for tho first summer there
is nc mention Of the truly rural features of
The New York herald., 1921-06-05

Jersey. including two hundred acres Of
grounds. large country house with two
forty-fOot rehearsal halls and accommoda-
tions for one hundred guests. and a farm
house with fourteen rooms
Here ballet members and students will
gather during the preparation ~ produc-
tions. both for rchcarsals and for the physi-
cal exercise which all artists are finding a
necessary part 81 the training for an active
dancing career. Physical culture. Grccian
calisthenics and olympic games will hold a
regular place on the daily schedule
The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-13
MEXICO READY TO?AYL POSSES
 DUE TORFY0LT
(By the Associated rress)

Mexico City, July 13.-All countries whose nationals sustained damages during the Mexican revolutions have been invited by General Obregon, president of the republic, to appoint delegates to an international commits sion which will adjust all claims.
The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-13
ATTACKED JUDGE,
 NOW FINED $500
lRY the Associated Press1

Hot Springs, July 13.-Charles Vel don, held for an assault upon Judge Scott Wood, in whose court he was re- gently tried for the sale of liquor, was fined $500 when arraigned today. Weldon was charged with contempt of court as a result of the attack.
The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-13
STAR CITY LOSES
 HEAVILY IN FIRE
fRv the Associated PressN

Pne Bluff, July l3.-OVer two blocks of business buildings, includ- ing the bank, postoffice, theatre and telephone exchange, were destroyed by fire at Star City last night The fire covered four hours. It is not expect ed that the loss will run over $100,- 900.
The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-13
SAYS TACTICS
 OF STRIKERS
 BANKRUPT KY.
fBy the Associated Press)

Little Rock, July 13.-Official an- nouncement of the resignation of C. A. Phelan, receiver and general maE- ager of the Missouri & North Arkan- sas road was made today from the office of Federal Judge Jacob Trieb- er
 The statement also declared that striking employees by putting nitro glycerine bombs in coal bins and emery dust and quicksilver in the engines owned by the company, had brought the roads income below it's operating costs.
 A meeting will be held at St. Louis tomorrow to decide whether money to continue operation will be advanced by the financial packers of the road.
The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-13
MORGAN RECALLS
 SUIT; NOTES PAID
(By the Associated PressD

Little Rock, July 13.-The suit filed yesterday by the Morgan Company of Delaware, of which S. R. Morgan of Little Rock is the controlling head, for appointment of receiver for the Arkansas Light & Power Company and the Citizens Ice X Power Con- pany at Junction City, was withdrawn today when the companies paid $300.- 900 to retire bonds which reached ma- turity on July l.
The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-13
CHINA TO JOIN
 PAR[FY..TH|NK
 JAPAN ACCEOE
(By the AssocYared Press)

London, July 13.-Three of the prin- cipal allied powers, Great Britain, France and Italy, have officially ac- cepted the invitation of President Harding to attend the proposed in- ternational conference on limitation of armaments.
 China has indicated it's readiness to participate in the conference on Far East relations, which will be a part of the disarmament conference. Japan has not yet placed itself on record, but is expected to soon communicate to the United States.
The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-13
(By the Associated Press)

Harrison, July 13.-The resignation of c. A. Phelan, general manager and receiver for the Missouri & North Arkansas, and J. S. Reddocp, superin- tendent, was confirmed here today. Acting General Manager Murray is en route to Little Rock today, pre- sumably to confer with Federal Judge Trieber on the financial condition of the road.
The log cabin Democrat., 1921-07-13
IRISH POLICE FORCE
 NOW FOUND JOBLESS
(By the Associated PressN

Dubln, July l3.-Large bodies of police auXiliaries have been granted indefinite leave of absence as a re- suit of the Irish truce, which removed the necessity for their retention.