Re: Birmingham History
1950,s - 1960,s. Comical on Reflection.
Ballroom dancing had become very popular by way of TV programmes that showed us top level Ballroom Dancing Competitions. Ballroom Dance Schools were getting more popular by the month. All the big Birmingham venues that put
on their Big Band Ballroom Dances were packed.
The Ballroom dancers revelled in the large dance floor spaces provided by the big dance halls. The couples Waltzed, Slow
Foxtrotted and Tangoed, moving amongst and between other couples with great flow and dexterity.
FLY IN THE OINTMENT .
What's this intrusion beginning to occur whenever a Quick Step is being played ?
The Dance floor in front of the Band is being taken up by these ' Jive ' and ' Bee-Bop ' people
As the months pass more and more of them are taking up our Ballroom ' floor space '.
It's not good enough.
The battle was more or less lost. The ' Jivers ' became more and more,in came the ' twist' and then
' Rock - n - Roll '.
Indignation by the Ballroom Dancers came to nothing.
If you can't beat them how's about joining them. Some of the serious ' Ballroom only ' couples stayed true to their way of dancing others joined in and were able to enjoy both types of dancing.
On reflection though I have to smile at the initial indignation of the ' Ballroom dancing only' supporters.
As things have turned out over-time, I think it's fair to say it's another ' All's well that ends well '.