DANCING TO HEALTH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6946, 27 June 1929, Page 11

DANCING TO HEALTH

MIDDLE AGE RAISED. The age of middle age is raised. Dancing lias raised it. There was a time when the veteran dancer was a man of about 40. It was agreed at a gathering of over 200 dancing teachers which met recently in London, however, that a man who dances is no longer a veteran at 40 years; he now must be over 50 to Compete as a veteran in competitions. Another thing decided was that dancing teaching is to bo standardised. A sub-committec of 20 was elected to inquire and report on tho various dances, so that the basie steps may bo taught in the same nav in every school. This will be of tho ’ utmost value to tho public and will do away with “Bolshevism” in tho ballroom. When a new dance is invented it will be taught by all the teachers in the same way, and managers will be ashed to co-operate. This meeting, held behind closed doors, was the biggest gathering of English ballroom dancing teachers ever held. It was also the first of its kind. There were informal discussions as to the next new dance. It is expected that it will be done to a lively tune in six-eight time. Mr. Bichardson, of the Dancing Times, pointed out that “Valencia” was in this time, and that the King had asked to have it played to him a second time at Craigwcil House There was one other important point raised. It was pointed out that middleaged people who had never danced in their lives wero now dancing their way to health by doctors’ orders. It was this that led to the discussion of tho age for veterans in a dancing competition. It was agreed that tho man who danced was as youthful at 40 as he used to bo at 30, and that it was not fair of him to expect to win prizes as a veteran.