Part Two: The Grizzly Bear (Dancing in the 1910s)

This is part two of a series of articles charting highlights of partner dancing in the twentieth century. It was originally commissioned and published by Vintage Life Magazine, November 2015* with a new article following each month for each subsequent decade.

As the Twentieth Century continued, so did the proliferation of more improvised partner dancing. Perhaps the most bizarre of all the dances of this era was “The Grizzly Bear”. Botsford and Berlin’s 1910 instructional song of the same name sparked a dance craze. Hugely popular in it’s day it did not survive the test of time, and is only mimicked in nostalgic or whimsical performance settings these days. Dances established in this decade that are still celebrated today include the less well known Peabody, Ballroom stalwart the Foxtrot and the ever über-cool Tango.

As we discovered last month, in certain ‘Society’ circles there was a desire to throw off the constraints of the Waltz, and embrace more improvised elements as found in Ragtime music. As Morgan Howland states on his blog covering Twentieth Century dance crazes: “The new American dancing fads brought popular culture away from the Victorian age ideals of perpetual toil, work and duty”.

Modern Dancing manual, 1914.

Notable happenings during this decade were: Irving Berlin scoring his first major hit with 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' in 1911, The "Unsinkable" Queen of the Ocean, Titanic sailing on its ill-fated voyage (Liverpool - New York) in 1912, and, for dancers, the best-selling book ‘Modern Dancing’ appearing in 1914. Still in print, written by dancing couple Vernon and Irene Castle, this provided a comprehensive and approachable guide to the partner dancing of the day.

Also, unforgettably, The Great War (1914-1918), which brought with it massive social change. As communities coped with the departure of so many men, women were required to step into many varied roles to keep the country moving. Taking up manufacturing and driving roles, becoming bus conductors - previously unthinkable for ladies! The War Effort necessitated thrift, industry, collective responsibility - a “Home Front”. The Women’s Institute was founded in Britain in 1915.

In Victor Sylvester’s book 'Modern Ballroom Dancing' (published in 1927) he explains: "When war came, the most popular form of relaxation for the men on leave was a dance”. Hardly surprising, given that it provided welcome human contact and distraction from their experiences in war. The Foxtrot was also supremely accessible. The men were required to begin with a slow walk - more or less marching, one step every other beat; and then progress, once ready, into a ‘trot’ or run, one step each beat.

‘Animal-inspired’ dances such as the Bunny Hop, Bunny Hug and Camel Walk were taken up by Ragtime dancers in the USA during this era. The Camel Walk has remained on the fringes of solo dancing ever since, finding a place within Disco many decades later, and it has been enduringly popular with Blues and Jazz dancers.

Dance Superstars Vernon & Irene Castle

The Tango grew in popularity in Paris from 1911 and soon became a sensation in American and British dance halls. Some social commentators predicted that The Great War would put pay to the Tango. How wrong they were, Tango is perhaps the most recognisable of all partner dances to this day, both to the initiated and the uneducated eye.

Though the origins of the name ‘Foxtrot’ are disputed - the dance is said to have made its breakthrough in 1914, propagated most notably by the aforementioned Castles. The 1914 musical “Watch Your Step” starred the couple, showcased the Foxtrot and was also Irving Berlin’s debut musical score. It is undoubtedly one of the key dance legacies of this decade.

The delightfully quaint events we now know as ‘tea dances’ also began to take shape during this decade. Imagine a time when dancers were required to remain nine inches apart, and if found dancing too close, could be ‘ejected’ from the dancehall. It is no understatement to say that much of partner dancing - done for purely hedonistic reasons - was frowned upon by those upholding traditional values. As with each generation, there are those that challenge the status quo with free spirited expression. Here were young, un-chaperoned single women, in mixed company, 'acting out' songs like “snug up close to your lady” with different male dance partners during one evening. Quite a departure from traditional, restrained conduct!

The National War Savings Committee issued the following warning in 1915:

“To dress extravagantly in wartime is worse than bad form, it is unpatriotic”.

World War One Centenary event, 2014.

Stepping back 100 years

Fabric shortages met propriety and a compromise was sought. However, the precedent had been set and fashions allowed for ankles to be shown even once fabric was not so restricted. Men would still be seen in tail coats - as they are to this day for performance and competition Ballroom dancing. To the right you'll see myself and my good friend, Mersey Swing dancer and noted First World War historian Dr Paul Knight at a commemorative event in 2014. On the left, Martin Smith, also from Mersey Swing with myself and dancers from Manchester University Ballroom Dance Society. We took people through their ballroom basics - and of course The Grizzly Bear - during the World War One Centenary event, August 2014.

Next month: The 1920s.