Comments on: How to Hold a Church Dance, circa 1917

By: m&m

m&m — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:40:42 +0000

We just had a discussion about what ’suggestive dancing’ is with our children tonite (reading a YW Broadcast talk with them). I should show them these pictures. (I’m only half kidding….)

I also just wish that dancing had more class and culture to it in current generations. We have lost a lot, imo, over the past several decades as dancing has becoming more body mashing or at best just jumping around to loud, obnoxious music.

We went to a reception recently where the music was SO loud, you couldn’t talk to a person standing right next to you w/o yelling. And getting a headache. So much for refinement. Blech.

By: Maurine

Maurine — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:23:36 +0000

I noticed also that the ladies could come without escort but the men needed a partner. I also noticed that the age limit for young people without parents was fourteen. It is interesting how things change. When I was twelve and new to “Mutual,” I was allowed to date and I even had a date (with formal dress) to the ward Gold and Green Ball. This wasn’t unusual at that time. However, because the boys we dated didn’t drive, all of my dating meant walking to the church for the dance or to a fireside after Church on Sunday evening. Now, the approved year for dating is sixteen.

By: jeans

jeans — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:05:55 +0000

I want those ladies’ dresses. I love 1917 styles. They look so elegant. “Separate cloak rooms,” huh. Is that why my chapel has 2 side-by-side coat racks in each hallway?

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:49:17 +0000

Interesting. I don’t know anything about the history of social work as a discipline or profession, though I probably could have guessed that the above instructions pre-dated the profession’s inception and been right. (Anyone out there know the straight story?)

Either way, the words “dance director” paired with “social work” have a tendency to make one giggle.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:17:15 +0000

Rameumptom, I think the intent was to keep down the number of men, particularly strangers, who came to Mormon dances looking to pick up a girl. If he came with his own date, or his sister or cousin whom he had a duty to escort home, that was less likely to happen. But yeah, pity the poor young man without sisters who was too shy to invite a young lady from his ward.

I’ve been to a few activities that could have used a social worker, too, Brandon! In this case, though, that was just the name of the committees that arranged formal social interactions in the wards and stakes. I’ve laughed a little at the early 20th century use of the word “work” to mean “program” or “agenda” or “activities” — in the Children’s Friend you sometimes run across references to “the children’s sandbox work” or the like.

Glad you liked it, J.

By: Rameumptom

Rameumptom — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:04:49 +0000

I noticed the ladies could come without a gentleman escort, but the young men had to bring a partner, or be disinvited. How does that work? What if all the girls decide to come with a chaperone? Are the young men unable to attend?

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:57 +0000

Ardis-

Another great post.

I noticed under #4 “Director of the Dance” the words “[socal work] committee.” Was that a slip of the finger? Not that it wouldn’t make any less sense keeping “work” in the phrase. I’ve known a few church dances that could have benefited from the presence of a social worker or two.

By: J. Stapley

J. Stapley — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:39:42 +0000

Awesome.