PALAIS DE DANSE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2261, 22 September 1914, Page 7

PALAIS DE DANSE

OFFICIAL OPENING LAST NIGHT. The old Skating Rink, in Vivian Street, is no longer identifiable as such. It has been completely transformed outside and in, and now parades bravely in a blazo <5f colour as the Palais 'de Danse, or public dancing hall. This form of attraction, born of the introduction of. a number of new ballroom dances, has had a great vogue in England, America, and Australia, and there is no reason why it'should not flourish in Wellington, when once the public gains an acquaintance with such dances as the one-step, two-stop, tango, hesitation waltz, otc. The "Palais" open-ed-its doors for the first time-last ovehiiifi. when tho proprietor, Mr. M. J. Donnelly, generously gave the receipts to the Patriotic Fund, Unfortunately, the attendance was restricted, but that did not ttu»torially interfere - with the pleasure of those-who- "tripped the' light r fantastic" with evident enjoy-' ment. The place was a veritable bower of roses, the entire ceiling being something'in the nature of a hanging garden ablaze with bloOm, a pretty decorative idea that is' maintained above the side ; 'rose-walks" where the spectators are accommodated. Softened electric lights suspended within pretty Chinese lanterns suffused a warm glow throughout the hall, and the music of a capable little orchestra, under Mr. F. Gardiner, added-to tho glamour of a scene foreign to New- Zealand. A cafe is established in a roomy gallery, where tea, coffee, cocoa, and soft drinks are dispensed at modorato pricea. The Palais de Danse was formally declared open by tho Mayor (Mr. j. P. Luke), who said he was pleased to be present. The proprietor Mr. M. J. Donnelly had generously promised the proceeds for tho Patriotic Fund. They were shortly to witness the departure of the Expeditionary Force, and it was a time in their history that must be made worthy of the people of New Zealand and'the British race. On behalf of the city, ho thanked Mr. Donnelly, who had given the entertainment in aid of tho Patriotic Fund. Mr. Don-' nelly was a public-spirited man, and having known him for a long time, he could say that ho was a white man. (Applause.) - He intended to-run the place on right and proper lines, and ma_ke it such a place where anyone could take their wives and sisters, a place where young people could meet together and form friendships. He.trusted that success would be attained in connection with the undertaking. (Applause.) ! Mr. Donnelly briefly thanked the Mayor for attending, and for what he had Said about himself, and was sorry that the attendance was not larger. He thought, however, that those who had attended would como again. - During the evening the chief instructor. Mr. A. Fitzmaurice (from the Imperial Salon in Sydney) and his wife gave an interesting' exhibition of the new dances. Their diminutive children also danced several of the new dances delightfully. Dancing will commence at 8 o'clock this evening.