Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-09
BY GILBERT SWAN.


TTS not only ION with the Dance" but
it's ON and ON and ON.
And IL you can believe the prophecies
of some OF the Nations most celebrated
Steppers, Americans have just begun 70
get their feet warm for higher forms Of express
sion in grace and movement.
For years, Americans have been looked upon
IS the dancingest race on earth. But that, It
appears was merely q matter Of letting on
steam-a sort Of rhythmic rebellion against
standardized and mechanical era.
One of the sternest criticisms to come from
artistic European visitors Is that jazztng Amer
leans have mislaid the deeper purposes and
meanings Of the dance and looked upon the
high rhythmic art forms as mere exhibitions or
mere entertainment. In word: IL Americans
ever had dance tradition, they have lost It.
But change is just around the corner. A
number Of forces are going TO cause you 10
watch your step.
First, and of immediate importance, is the
change in dress styles.
Next is that fresh young upstaxt. the sound
picture, which has been blamed for so many
things.
And next to that the radio.
All Of these viii tie up with new styles Of
musical composition, each affecting the other
and ramifying into an almost complete change
Of taste.
AS sort of blanket authority for all this, I
present the combined members of the All
America professional leg shakers annually Sc
lected by the Dance Magazine with Sucn
famous judges as Chester Hale, Russell Mar
kert, AIbertina Rasch. Bobby Connolly, Sammy
Lee and others who whip together the balIets
and ensembles of Broadway.
They include such notables as Harriet Hoe
Tor, Ruby Keeler, Bill Robinson, Jeanette Mac
Donald, Bobbe Arnst. Eddie Cantor, Jack
Donahue: to which may be added those babes
In the Hollywood Marilyn Miller and Ann
Pennington and those fascinating new music
show visitors, Evelyn Laye, Jessie Matthews,
TiIy LOsch. Marjorie Brooks and Jack
Buchanan.
Take them one at q time
Jessie Matthews, one Of the lcveliest expo
nents Of the waltz step that Broadway has seen
I'm many day. sees q return to the ball room
before the current season has passed-but the
old stiffness win be gone
Both England and America have learned TO
manipulate body as wen a. feet-thanks to
the syncopated era" says Miss Matthews. 1.-THE
long evening skirts win bring compromise
between the two
You can see Il already In the smarter dane
ing places, such Is the Mayfair Club In New
York There is real grace, but accompanied
by rhythmic movement. when the average
dancers have learned to use something besides
their shoulders. hips and feet-and they will
soon DO that win be infinitely easier to slide
into dance which has greater beauty"
The radio is gradually producing IN America
the worlds greatest aggregation Of solo dancers,
II you win listen TO Leo Reisman, who is per-
haps one Of the most popular broadcasting and
record making orchestra leaders Of the Eastern
seacoast.
Thousands Of persons, with the radio as
their music. work out solo steps and engage in
the most interesting of creative dancing. In
the beginning it has chtldlike quality. to be
sure.
"RUT the average big-city household has all
but forgotten the piano. That Is an in-
strunnent for the metropolitan salons. Visit
any of the larger Fifth avenue music houses
ana tOun ind them displaying only the salon
types Of instrument. They know the radio and
the photograph have brought music into the
hO0Aes I'm not trying to intimate that this is
generally the case throughout the country.
There are thousands OF places, thank heaven,
where the youngsters StiM do their one-two-