-“SWING" DANCERS STAMPEDE

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 66, 5 August 1938, Page 4

-“SWING" DANCERS STAMPEDE

BAND LEADEDS BUSHED *,„.. **> ■■" i —; , ‘' NEW 'YORK, June I.— America’s biggest j session of swingynwisicydiekl' at ltaiidall’s Island Stauihni; broke up early in a near riot. Twenty-five thousand swing enthusiasts (known here as “jitterbugs” and “alligators”), turned hysterical by jazz gymnastics.- of 25 bands, cavorted, “Lindyhopped,” and “Big Appled” for six' lioirrs, until the police were dizzy.

Then thousands'broke from the 2s area, smashed up seats, and shouted and danced their way to the reserved seats.

Women and girls were howled over jp the stampede, and the number who fainted became too large for the CO splice and 140 attendants to deal with.

In this most frenzied of America’s musical carnivals housewives, office girts and business men, intoxicated by ..the blare of the 25 bands, leaped in the air yelling “Floy,- Floy,” “Give it. cats,” “Killer diller,” like n'uid people.

The hand leaders had to lie surrounded by police to save them from the fiendish adulation of the swing fans who tried to carry away their instruments and drumsticks as souv-