[Dixielandjazz] What Turns The Younger Audiences On?

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

Dance has changed over the years.  All those dances you mention had some 
steps that you had to learn ( a couple I never heard of)  but most dancing 
in that era was done as couples not individually.  Ballroom then as now 
takes some sort of training or lessons to do, where as the individual dances 
where one stands and shakes really don't.  While there have always been 
adventurous young things, a dance was shut down here two weeks ago at a 
local high school because the young ladies were doing a pretty good 
imitation of lap dances.  Even the Jitterbug required two people doing 
steps.  I still maintain that most OKOM doesn't lend its self to the 
versions of dancing that is commonly done today.  Is it impossible to dance 
to? Well no but doesn't happen very often.

A couple of years ago two kids about 16 came up and danced in front of the 
band and absolutely stole the show but they knew what they were doing.  They 
were even in 30's style cloths.  I have no idea where they came from.  They 
danced for about a half hour and drew a huge crowd at the shopping plaza.
Larry
St. Louis
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Haesler" <bhaesler at bigpond.net.au>
To: "Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis" <larrys.bands at charter.net>; 
"dixieland jazz mail list" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>; "TCASHWIGG" 
<tcashwigg at aol.com>
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 3:34 PM
Subject: Re: What Turns The Younger Audiences On?


>> ........OKOM doesn't lend it's self to standing in the middle of a floor 
>> and
> wiggling............<
>
> Dear Larry,
> Wot!!!!!
> They certainly did in the 40s, 50s and 60s here in Australia, when I wuz a
> kid.
> Or was I dreaming?
> 8>)
> Happened in the Hugh Ess uf A in the 20s too - and spawned dance steps 
> like
> the Shimmy, Black Bottom, Charleston, Snake Hips, Grind, Strut and 
> Shuffle -
> among many others.
> And as for: "If you want to get people to dance hire a dance instructor 
> for
> your party or club gig."
> Not necessary.
> I am sure me mate Tom Wiggins would sassy on over to St Louis [for free] 
> to
> demonstrate any of the above.
> Kind regards,
> Bill.
>
>