Carnival of Genealogy, 92nd Edition

Welcome to the April 4, 2010 edition of the Carnival of Genealogy. The topic for this edition is, Dance! Dancing is as old as time and there's no doubt some if not most of our ancestors found themselves dancing at some point or other. It's a physical thing, it's a social thing, it can be a spiritual thing too. Kids do it, teenagers do it, adults do it... it's done solo, in couples, and in groups. Dancing is often featured at celebrations and rites of passage such as weddings and graduations, New Year's Eve parties and Presidential inaugurations, in high school plays and around the Maypole. It's done for recreation, for entertainment, and for therapy. It's a common link between generations and across cultures.

Given how prevalent dancing is in our lives and the lives of those who came before us, I'm frankly surprised to have only 11 submissions on this topic. But I'm pleased as well. This edition of the COG is short and sweet. Like the last dance of the night with a lover, it ends all too soon but will be savored for the passion and intimacy it brings. Pour yourself something cool and soothing then and come join us as we trip the light fantastic!

Dorene Paul presents Dancing at Wedding Receptions posted at Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay, saying, "Dorene from Ohio recalls that wedding receptions were the earliest memories she has of her family members enjoying dancing." Dorene has the cutest pictures to go along with her happy childhood memories of special event dancing with her family and friends. This post brings back memories of family weddings I remember from my own childhood. Check it out and see if it doesn't take you down memory lane too! Thanks Dorene!

J.M. presents Bribed By Dancing posted at Tracing My Roots, saying, "To know how being bribed with the prospect of dancing got me and my friend into a scene that resembled a horror scene from a bad movie while we were in a supermarket, read my post Bribed By Dancing" Grins and giggles is how you'll react to J.M.'s article about dancing! She shares one of those funny moments you remember for a lifetime. We've all had them but we don't always share them. J.M. has and you don't want to miss it!

Carol presents 92nd Carnival of Genealogy, Dance, Let's Cut a Rug posted at Reflections From the Fence, saying, "Ballroom or disco, we have a three dancin' couples, including Florence, who needed a younger man to keep up with her!" Three couples there are indeed but only one of them is dancing to Disco ;-) yep, it's Carol! Terrific photo you won't want to miss! Carol prefers to tell stories with photos and she has great ones to do so. I really enjoyed your photos and memories Carol, thanks for sharing!

Linda Hughes Hiser presents 92nd COG: Dance--Dancin' in the Street posted at Flipside, saying, "Dancing....from ballet to the twist to Motown...I loved to dance." Now here's a dancer at heart! Linda danced from a young age and she has some terrific pictures to prove it. Dancing runs in her family and she has great memories of dancing to all the latest and greatest hits. Stop by and take a twirl around the dance floor with Linda! Thanks for sharing Linda! 

Linda McCauley presents Dance! posted at Documenting the Details, saying, "I have fond memories of taking tap and ballet lessons for a couple of years starting at age 5." I've never heard of a traveling dance instructor before but Linda had one. She tells a charming story of dancing beside a fire truck... what a great image that conjures up! Thanks for sharing, Linda!

Joan Hill presents Carnival of Genealogy, 92nd Edition: A Night of Dancing at the Crazy Horse posted at Roots'n'Leaves, saying, "For me this story is about dancing at a very unique time and place. The year was 1962, the summer of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Marilyn Monroe’s death, and Jacqueline Kennedy;s White House tours; John Glenn orbiting the earth in Friendship 7, U.S Military presence in Vietnam rising to 2,646,and James Meredith attempts to enroll at University of Mississippi. However in the high desert basin in Klamath County, the world news is indeed a world away. Our lives revolved around work, family, friends and dancing on Saturday nights." Joan has such a beautiful way with words... she takes you there, to the Crazy Horse, where you can hear the music, feel the heat, taste the cool beverages, and be a part of it all. I especially liked how she built anticipation in her story, just the way she experienced it. Preparation for the Saturday night dance events started much earlier in the day and many miles away. Great story Joan! Thanks for taking us along!

Jo Arnspiger presents 92nd Edition of COG A Ballerina's Story ... If Only for a Little While posted at Those Who Went Before, saying, "My five years of dance lessons helped mold me both physically and emotionally." Jo writes so fondly of her ballet years you just know she loved them. I've never danced en pointe but I've always admired those who do. What strength! What discipline! What grace! Thanks for sharing your very precious memories with us, Jo!

Michelle Goodrum presents Dance! posted at The Turning of Generations, saying, "Meet my mother the dancer who grew up dancing in Seattle during the first half of the 20th century. Somehow she must have infected me with dance fever for a bit too." Ah Michelle, you certainly paint a beautiful picture of your mother for us (great photos too). She obviously had a love for dance so it's no surprise you have a fondness for it too. Thank you for sharing your two-generational family dance story with us!

Apple submitted a series of posts written by Tipper at Blind Pig and the Acorn,
The 74th Annual Mountain Folk Festival, Berea Kentucky, Folk Dancing In Brasstown, and Clogging At The Mountain Folk Fesitval. Even though this submission was a little late and didn't come from the author herself I chose to include it anyway because the articles, photos, and video are just outstanding! Do stop by and check them out. Whether you have a passion for dance or not you'll appreciate them!

Jasia presents Dancing, the First Two Generations posted at Creative Gene. Dancing is in my genes. I can document dancers in at least 4 generations of my family. Visit my blog and read this 3-part series about my family's love of dance! I created 3 scrapbook pages with family photos of us dancing. 

---

~*~*~*Feature Article *~*~*~

Donna presents It All Started at a Dance « What's Past is Prologue posted at What's Past is Prologue, saying, "If my parents didn't love to dance, they might have never met!" Well Donna, we're so glad they met, and danced, and loved, because otherwise you wouldn't be our featured author! Donna always writes from the heart, with humor, and this article is no exception. She also has the most amazing collection of family photos, some of which are included here. Her parents are the featured dancers in her article this time around but she's taken some dance classes herself and would like to take more. Perhaps she'll write about dancing again featuring her own participation. We can't wait for that one Donna!

Please join me in congratulating Donna for being the featured author for the 92nd Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy!

---

That concludes this edition of the Carnival of Genealogy. I hope you were inspired to learn to dance, to dance for the pure joy of doing so, and to write about it for all to enjoy! Dancing is known to improve your circulation and elevate your mood. It's good for the heart and good for the soul. So what are you waiting for? Put on some music and boogie down!

Call for Submissions! The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: Write a "how to" series of articles! Choose a topic that you can give helpful advice on and write a series of articles (3+) about it. Series articles require a little more planning and a lot more writing so this next edition will have a deadline of May 1st.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy using our carnival submission form. Please use a descriptive phrase in the title of any articles you plan to submit and/or write a brief description/introduction to your articles in the "comment" box of the blog carnival submission form. This will give readers an idea of what you've written about and hopefully interest them in clicking on your link. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Thanks for the poster, fM!

Share
|

Technorati tags:

carnival of genealogy, blog carnival.

Dancing, the Fourth Generation

I didn't wait for my daughter to express an interest in learning to dance. I registered her for a jazz dance class when she was in kindergarten. And I did it again every year through the 8th grade. Like me, my daughter loved dance class. I don't think she liked performing for an audience any more than I did but she always enjoyed the music and movement in dance class.

I liked knowing my daughter was getting exercise, although that's never been an issue for her. I liked that she was learning to hear a beat and feel a rhythm. I liked that she met new friends and discovered new music. I only wish my son had been open to taking dance classes as well, but that was not to be. He would have been good at it too. He was one of the best at Dance, Dance, Revolution among his friends (so was my daughter). He can definitely make his feet move!

My daughter quit dance lessons when she got to high school because she was just too busy with other extra curricular activities. I still hold out hope that one day my son will develop a love of dancing (so does his girlfriend ;-) .

Dancing, the First Two Generations
Dancing, the Third Generation

Dancing, the Third Generation

As far back as I can remember I've loved to dance. When I was a kid, several of my girlfriends in the neighborhood took dance lessons at the nearby Continental Dance Studio in Dearborn. I used to go with them to watch their lessons, then I'd come home and beg my parents to let me take dance lessons. My mom used to complain that it was too expensive. My dad insisted women/girls who danced in "those scanty costumes" were no better than whores. It was a frustrating argument that went on for years.

Eventually, I wore them down ;-) but not until I was in high school. I think my mom gave in first and then she appealed to my dad on my behalf. I remember pleading with her that I needed to "find my thing". Other kids had hobbies and activities that they were good at. But I, I lamented, had none. I knew if I could just take dance lessons I'd be a better person, a happier person, and my soul would soar (or something to that effect). I know it sounds corny but it was true. I was a teenager searching for my identity and a form of self expression. The compromise was, I could take one and only one type of dance, I had to pay for half of each class session out of my allowance, and I had to walk the 3/4 of a mile to class and from class alone after dark with no whining about the cold, snow, rain, or wind. I didn't like the terms but I took the deal. I chose to learn "jazz line" and I loved it!

After a couple years of dance lessons, I became good enough to be in a competition group. We only competed locally and our group didn't make the cut off for nationals. That was just as well because my parents told me I wouldn't be going to nationals (the national competition was in New Orleans that year) even if my group did win districts. They weren't about to spend good money on out-of-state travel for something as silly as dancing. My dance lessons ended after that year (1972) because I got busy with other things... boys, Junior Achievement, boys, a part time job, and boys. That summer (1972) I did take Polish dance lessons at Alliance College but the only dancing I did during the remainder of my high school years was at school dances... and I attended every one of them I could!

When I was in college, I enjoyed going out to bars with my friends and dancing. But I didn't take any more dance classes until I was married with kids. At that point I got back into dance classes for the exercise value. First I took tap, then jazz aerobics, then Country line dancing, then Middle Eastern belly dancing. I loved them all. I managed to persuade my husband to take a couples dance class with me (No, I didn't take my grandmother's and mom's advice. I too married a man who doesn't dance.). He's a good sport and he gave it a good try, but he's never loved dancing like I do.

I wasn't the only one in our immediate family who had a passion for dancing either. My oldest brother started taking dance lessons at the local Arthur Murray studio to be able to dance at my wedding. But he didn't stop there. He continued to take lessons for several years (until he married a woman who doesn't dance... oh when will we ever learn!?!) and won several ballroom dance competitions. He has trophies over 3 feet tall!

Dancing was good for me. Dancing gave me poise and confidence and taught me that I could still remember my dance steps even when I had stage fright, LOL! I loved my dance classes even more than I liked performing at the recitals and competitions. I've never been comfortable being in the spotlight. But dancing just for the fun of it... ah yes, that I love.

I love to dance!

So it's no wonder I enrolled my daughter in dance classes when she was just in kindergarten...

Dancing, the Fourth Generation
Dancing, the First Two Generations

Dancing, the First Two Generations

I don't know how far back the love of dancing goes in my family line but I know there are many of us who love to cut a rug. My maternal grandmother was a dancer. I remember my mom telling me that her mother enjoyed dancing at any and all celebrations. The only advice she got from her mother regarding choosing a husband was, "Don't marry a man who doesn't dance, otherwise you'll be sitting on the side lines all your life!". This was sage advice given that her husband, my grandfather, didn't dance.

My grandparents sponsored my grandmother's two sisters so they could immigrate here to the USA. No sooner did they get here (1920) but my grandparents set out to introduce them to eligible men. How did they do that? They invited them over for house parties. They rolled up the rugs, pushed the tables and chairs aside, and cranked up the old Victrola! Dancing was a great way to "break the ice"!

When my mom and her sister were in their grade school years (1920s), their mother signed them up for dancing lessons. These would have been Polish dances they were learning. At first they took lessons at the Dom Polski Hall and later they had private dance lessons at the bakery the family owned. The dance instructor came to the bakery each week and they used the second floor for their lessons because it had a large open area with a nice wood floor.

My mom had a "Sweet Sixteen" birthday party, that would have been July 1934. She invited about 50 friends over and they had a drinking and dancing party (That was just after prohibition ended. My grandmother made her own beer and wine and they served it to the kids at the party ;-). My grandmother hired an accordion player for the occasion and they danced all night!

When I asked my mom about what she did for fun when she was growing up and where she went on dates, I always got the same answer... "we went dancing!". My mom and her best friend, Helen Wojciechowski, used to get all dolled up on Friday or Saturday nights and go to various different dance halls around Detroit. Sometimes they went on evening cruises on the Detroit River to Tashmoo, a favorite dance pavilion on Harsen's Island aboard the ship Tashmoo. There's a great write up about the cruise ship and the dancing and leisure activities at Tashmoo on the Detroit News web site. Reading that article, I can just picture my mom and her girlfriend going dancing!

Unfortunately, my mom didn't take her mother's advice. She married a man who didn't dance and she regretted it all her life. Mom still danced at family weddings but that was about all the dancing she did until after my dad died. I remember going to weddings and having men (cousins, brothers, neighbors, etc.) coming up to her to ask her to dance... one after another. She was very light on her feet and was a very popular dance partner. But then my dad would get to drinking and, well, she would have to sit out the rest of the dancing for the evening.

After my dad died, my mom got into dancing again. She took senior's aerobics classes and country line dance lessons. She really looked forward to those classes and took them for several years. She didn't care what kind of dancing she did, she liked it all. And if Polka music came on the radio or TV her toe would start tapping immediately. While she liked all kinds of dancing, the Polka was her favorite.

My mom and her brother dancing at a family wedding.

So you'd think given how much my mom and her mom enjoyed dancing it would have been a no-brainer for me to take dance lessons. But that was definitely not the case...


Dancing, the Third Generation
Dancing, the Fourth Generation