A DISGRACE TO THE BALLROOM

Shannon News, 24 December 1926, Page 3

A DISGRACE TO THE BALLROOM

“BLACK SHUFFLE” ORIGIN. London, Nov. 25. i “The ‘Black Shuffle,' the new dance which people are, trying to introduce into England, is a disgrace to the ballroom,” says Santos Casani, a prominent dancing master. “It evolved,” he said, “from the steps used by negroes to mash black mud for bricks. It consists of stamping steps, combined with turning body movements and the slapping of the hands against the sides. “If it catches on in England it will! destroy the social side of dancing and ! will revolutionise ballrooms, because it | should be danced solo. I “If the public wants a new dance, I there is the French Samba waltz. 11 will never teach the “Black Shuffle.’ ”[

(The “Black Shuffle” get its name from its similarity to the dances of the negroes who inhabit the black muddy river flats of the Mississippi. It is a variation of tke Charleston, but instead of the jerky heel and toe movement the dance is performed with the flat feet. Miss Ann Pennington introduced a dance with this name to American audiences in a revue which is still running on Broadway). •