Living on Lifesavers

This book documents and describes in all its color the mechanics and vagaries of what bears the title of the "Dancing Era" in United States history. Though difficult for Millennial-age people to understand, during this period, this ability "to dance" often superseded other positive attributes in social fraternization such as wealth, talent or even good looks. Dance halls, bars, school auditoriums and other places of gathering were common in all cities in all regions of the country. And, on most Saturday nights the sounds from an itinerant three or four piece band echoed out of most school auditoriums. Girls in sweaters, including many non students, sat on chairs along the wall and smiled as they accepted the invitation to dance. Arthur Murray Studios -- for whom the author worked for five years while attending college -- unquestionably led the charge and provided the most qualified access to formal dance instruction. They may have provided not only the most 'fun to watch' dance steps, but also the most 'simple to learn.' "Arthur Murray taught me dancing in a hurry," became a phrase we all heard bruited across the media throughout the fifties and sixties. So, if you have a good imagination, let's put on our dance shoes, comb our hair, step out onto the dance floor and see if we can remember some of those steps we learned so long ago.