THE FUN OF DANCING

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 8002, 6 June 1922, Page 3

THE FUN OF DANCING

(By the Editor of The Dancing (World). Dancing, as it is practised to-day, is a pastime—that is a fact that is apparently forgotten by the theorists who are forever deploring that ■‘its traditions” are violated by incorrect, inelegant styles. It is all a matter of temperament. What one man finds a serious form of art, enough to absorb much of his time and thought, another will regard as merely a pleasing, inexpensive way of whiling away his leisure hours. The majority, therefore, dance to please themselves—and they are happy. A great point is, however, that no one can dance persistently without benefiting from the gentle exercise it provides. I know at least one winner of walking championf hips who trains for his contest up on the ballroom floor. There are other instances of benefits gained. The elderly gentleman who night after night will be seen upon the floor at a well-known dancing place, is finding in the dances the only cure yet discovered for chronic insomia. Another finds that dancing has practically cured him of shell-shock. To many, bo it noted, dancing provides a gentle, soothing exercise, bringing benefits equal to more violent forms of exertion, which in some cases would be actually harmful. People are, however, no more atlraced to the dance Tor its curative properties than they are attracted to medicine for the same reason. They go a-dancing solely for pleasure. Fun and “novelty,” that is, variety, form the basis of every form of recreation which continues to attract us, and the dance band which introduces something of “surprise” - with an additional show of “fireworks”—will please the enjoyment seeker far more than the most masterful rendering of a classical item. The fun of a novelty night is enjoyed all the more for the reason that the audience produce it for themselves. The diversion is as harmless as it is enjoyable, and wherever “novelty’ nights are introduced, everyone enjoys himself, votes the affair “a jolly evening,” and determines to come next time.