GREYMOUTH DANCES

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1930, Page 3

GREYMOUTH DANCES

SOME PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS.

There is ho question of the popularity* of dances all over the West Coast, and Greymouth enthusiasts have a wide programme to choose from during the season, old and young finding apparently, great enjoyment indulging in what is sometimes termed the light fantastic. Personally, I am of the ox-trot school of terpsichore (writes “D. 0. Tage”) moving in a mysterious way my blunders to perform, not letting my right foot know what my left is doing, and making many difficulties for my partners. Hap. pily, these women retain the forbearance, common with the sex. Despite having their feet trodden on, ankles kicked, and other penalties inflicted by the incompetent, they, at the end of the dance, smile sweetly, and declare that they have enjoyed it so much. 1 am not beguiled by this optimism, my doubts being confirmed on overhearing one young lady complaining to another that she had promised one chap a dance but yearned to get out of the engagement. Her friend asked if it would not be easy to find a reason. “Oh, he is the reason,” came the response. “I want an excuse.” Although my own agility and grace may be likened unto that of a hippopotamus, I possess not its hide, and after a few attempts I decide to have mercy and not sacrifice. Sitting out the next few dances, the time can be passed pleasantly by gazing at the throngs of dancers. Taking a recent Town Hall gathering as typical, a first impression is that too many of the men are careless about ball-room attire. Gloves are never worn, light shoes are not general, and heavy boots not unknown. Some of the men seem oversure of themselves, a confidence not always justified by the standard of their dancing prowess. They have the air of conferring favours.

Another feature of Greymouth dances is-the comparative inactivity of the M.C. Rarely is he sufficiently in evidence; perhaps his is the art that conceals art. The standard of behaviour is high, except, perhaps, in sets like the Lancers, where the women are swung off their feet, in a manner neither good for them, . nor comfortable for those in their immediate vicinity. Presumably the women enjoy this rowdyism, other wise it would not be attempted. Greymouth does not seem free from the “hip-flask” danger ' about which so much is heard in other centres. Most Greymouth girls have little, or nothing to learn so far as dancing skill is concerned. Jazzing has had little harmful effect on their waltzing, and they are, as a rule, companionable and conversational. Some women prefer the silent, strong men, to dance with, devoting all attention to the music, but most men like to mix incidental chat with rhythm. In frocks, too, Greymouth standards in beauty and design are high, this being obvious even to those mere males who know not georgette from marocain, nor a panel from a pleat. Girls secni to cling more to their partners nowadays, than their forbears did, and all men will acclaim this as an improvement. Another difference between “her” now —and then —is noticed in the supper-room. Whereas once upon a time, the woman-dancer affected not to be hungry, the modern girl, and especially .those of the “flapper” age, makes no secret of the possession of a healthy appetite. Some of the ladies appear to thiiik that Nature helps those who help themselves, where beauty is concerned, and invisible powders or vanishing creams are all too obvious. The mere men may think, on the face of it, that these “attractions” would be better' discarded, but such sceptics should recall the old story of a peer who seeing his wife had ultra-painted, ordered her to take it off before he took her out. She obeyed, and when he saw the result, he immediately declared: “Go and put it on again.”

The lookers-on in the gallery are numerous, some showing great “staying” power. What the attraction can be, after the first hour, to watch other people dance, is difficult to say. I put this question once to a lady, who occasionally patronises the gallery on dance-nights, and she replied: “Oh, well, one can always have a good laugh!” I felt sorry that I had been curious. SOME GROWLS. Punctuality in beginning the evening’s programme is not dominant, and in this respect Greymouth dances are getting worse. Apparently it is regarded as infra dig to begin dancingbefore 9 o’clock, and most patrons make their appearance an hour later. Thus, precious time is wasted, and the dance’s conclusion made unnecessarily late, both for orchestra and patrons. Committees in charge of dances could soon iihprove matters hi this direction if orchestras were instructed to commence promptly to time, be the floor ever so poorly attended. Once it was realised that* the organisers were in earnest aboiit punctual starts, patrons would be less dilatory. The orchestras are, for the most part, good, with a wide selection of music. A frequent criticism, however, is in connection with the “supper” interval, when the orchestra take much needed lest. For an hour or more, the dancers have to be content < with “extras” played by a pianist, who, however good-natured or competent, cannot hope to supply satisfactory music for dancing in so large an area as the Town Hall. True, the floor is fairly crowded, but for the most part these efforts are' unhappy. The musicians must have a spell, as theirs is arduous work, but it should be possible for the orchestra to lessen the present waste of an hour, at the most attractive time of the proceedings. Could not some of the orchestra remain, whilst the others were resting, being relieved in due course? Even if this meant the engagement of an extra player or two, the expense would be worth while, and would be willingly paid by most dancers. Committees and orchestras might give this matter serious consideration.

The Town Hall cannot be regarded as ideal for dancing. The seating accommodation is inadequate, and the so-called dressing rooms are a disgrace to a town like Greymouth, and the absence of a properly-equipped supper-room must handicap those in charge of this important department. Considering the difficulties, the ser vice at the Town Hall suppers is surprisingly good. Obviously, Greyniouth needs a modern dancing hall, but the cost of its erection, and the patronage possibilities, does not make such en-

terprise appear likely to he remunerative to the shareholders. It has been suggested that a co-operative company should be formed, the shareholders investing small sums for the most part, content with more congenial dancing facilities, rathei' than iequiring financial return from their investment.