The amusements of New York in by-gone days partook much more than at present of local gatherings, such as supper parties at the public gardens and "tea-houses," dancing parties, etc. Public exhibitions, such as might attract amusement seekers to an evening entertainment, were comparatively rare, although a house for theatrical performances was erected as early as 1751, and a regular company was for many subsequent years established in this city.
Itinerant performers of various sorts also traveled through the city, and erected temporary places for their exhibitions; but these failed to take the place of the social entertainments with which the descendants of the old Dutch stock delighted to pass away their festive hours, of which dancing parties were the leading feature. For a long time prior to the Revolution, the dances in vogue were mostly those introduced from English sources, with others of American production: and they were all of them of a lively character, involving swift motions of the feet, and aerial movements upon the toes; the "double shuffle" and "pigeon wing" being steps which marked the proficiency and grace of the performer.
It was not alone, however, by individual agility that these dances were characterized. The figures themselves were not, as in the present day, designed to present graceful evolutions, in which the ease of the dancers might be indulged; but, on the contrary, they were of such a nature as to require constant movement and vigorous action. From the diary of an old gentleman, who died many years since in this city, we extract his youthful memoranda of dancing figures then in vogue. The period relates back to about the commencement of the present century.
FAVORITE OF FANCY
Right hands across; left back again; down the middle; back again; cast off one couple; four hands round at bottom; right and left at top.
OPERA REEL
Cast off two couple; up again; lead down the middle; up again; cast off; four hands round at bottom; right and left at top.
INDEPENDENT RANGERS
Lead down the middle; up again and cast off; set cross corners; four hands round at bottom; right and left at top.
LA BELLE KATHRINE
First lady balance to the second gentleman, and turn him; first gentleman to the same with the second lady; lead down the middle; back again; cast off; right and left at top.
NEW JERSEY
First lady balance or perbass with the second gentleman, and turn him round in his place; first gentleman do the same with the second lady; lead down the middle and back again; cast off one couple; right and left at top.
Turn your partner by the right hand quite round; cast off one couple; turn your partner with the right hand as before; gentleman falls in at bottom, his partner at top, and set three and three; turn with the left hand your partner, and fall into your places; six hands half round and back again; right and left at top.
THE BONNY LAD
Cast off outsides; back again; lead down through the middle; back again; set and turn corners with the upper couples; lead out at the side and foot it, and back to your places.
To be continued: Social Amusements in the Olden Time in New York: Early 1800s (2)
To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net or miriam@thehistorybox.com
.
No comments:
Post a Comment