Category Archives: Dance

Footloose and Fired in Kansas

Posted on June 21, 2022 by Austin Gisriel

What was it about dancing that bunched the bloomers of the busybodies a century ago? Yet, again, the “Out of the Past” column of the June 10, 2022 Winchester Star features an entry noting that 100 years ago, in 1922, … Continue reading →

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Those dance masters were a persistent bunch

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Austin Gisriel

Yet another mention of the concern over dirty dancing appeared in the January 17, 2022 edition of the Winchester Star‘s “Out of the Past” feature. The following is dated January 12, 1922: The “jazz” dance is slowly but surely being … Continue reading →

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Oh, no! The dance censors were at it again.

Posted on June 8, 2021 by Austin Gisriel

I don’t know why the keepers of our social mores and the monitors of our general morality were so offended by dancing 100 years ago, but yet another item in the Winchester Star’s “Out of the Past” column demonstrates that … Continue reading →

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Dirty Dancing Outrages U.S. Ambassador

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Austin Gisriel

Yet another most interesting item regarding outrage over the latest dance craze appeared in the “Out of the Past” feature in the February 1st edition of the Winchester Star. Datelined January 26, 1921 from Brussels, it reads: Owing to a … Continue reading →

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Never Do a Tango With an Eskimo

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Austin Gisriel

Today’s entry is a story of discovery, although it’s possible that I’m the last person to discover this particular discovery, namely, the song, “Never Do a Tango With an Eskimo.” I often listen to 1940s Radio, a wonderful Internet station … Continue reading →

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Sophie Tucker

Posted on October 22, 2020 by Austin Gisriel

When last we spoke in this blog, I stated that I would return to the subject of Sophie Tucker. As I had mentioned, Sophie had been arrested for singing bawdy dance songs such as “The Grizzly Bear” and the “Angle … Continue reading →

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The Devil on the Dance Floor Once More

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Austin Gisriel

The folks who lived 100 years ago, at least the ones who considered themselves keepers of the community standards, cast a very disapproving eye on dancing. In a January entry of this blog, I noted that the Winchester Star ran … Continue reading →

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Friends, Post Cards, and Special Nights

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Austin Gisriel

As you know, the Valencia Ballroom appears on the cover of Swing Time and plays a prominent role in the story. It occurred to me recently to search for old photos of the place, and sure enough, there were several … Continue reading →

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Swing Time, A New Novella, Now Available!

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Austin Gisriel

As a writer, I am always encouraged when people ask, “When’s the next book coming out?” which, I’m happy to say, I’ve been asked several times recently. I’m also happy to have an answer. Swing Time: A Swing Dancing, Time … Continue reading →

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Dirty Dancing Update

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Austin Gisriel

You may remember a post from January titled, “Oh, that dirty dancing from the ’20s,” in which I discussed how 100 years ago, American dance masters were anxious to rid dancing of “vulgar music,” as well as moves such as … Continue reading →

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