MORE JITTERBUGS

Evening Star, Issue 24933, 3 August 1943, Page 5

MORE JITTERBUGS

Polynesians on a small island, a dot in the great Pacific Ocean, .are learning to jitterbug, and they have the advantage of an experienced teacher, so they, are making rapid progress. Their teacher is Sgt. Nicholas John Marconi, from Philadelphia, who before going overseas danced and entertained in clubs in various parts of the United States. Arrived at his South Sea island, Marconi found weekly dances being held in the villages, and naturally he went along to one. The girls there saw him jitterbug for the first time, and left their boy friends to crowd round him—it was a mild sensation. They stood round him giggling their astonishment, and then began following his movements. Soon tho whole crowd was trying to jillorbug. Marconi says the natives pick up dances very quickly; in fact, they learn more quickly than American girls. This may be because they start 'dancing very early in life, a= the traditional community form of recreation.

Being hospitable people, these natives arequick to appreciate whatever the soldiers do to make I heir lives happier. Their usual way of,, showing their appreciation is by dance ami song. They eagerly taught, Marconi some of their own South Sea dances. Furthermore, they are always bringing him cocoanuts, fruit, "and woven mats, and recently presented him with a horse.