Shall We Dance?
The holiday season is a time for all kinds of festive parties and gatherings. Back in the day, Muncie was the scene of a whirlwind of holiday parties and dances over an approximately three-week period in December. Holiday dances were extremely popular events for schools, clubs, fraternal and service organizations, and were part of many large social gatherings in private homes.
Newspapers published Christmas dance calendars after Thanksgiving and local clothing stores would have a rush of people buying formal attire for the season. News articles glowingly described the gala atmosphere created by this season of social events and how popular they were, even bringing in people from out of town to attend.
Much planning took place in advance. The newspaper social columns reported on each group’s planning meetings which were often elegant parties themselves. Descriptions included a list of club or group officers and other attendees, their attire for the meeting, and what refreshments were served.
Programs and dance cards were designed, printed, cut – often into intricate designs, and assembled. These included the date, time, and location of the event, a menu, and either a place for partners to schedule their dances with each other or a list of the order of dances (two-step, waltz, etc.).
The bands that provided the music for these holiday soirees were also promoted. Muncie was fortunate to be on a “big band” circuit and was therefore able to book well-known groups and performers of both regional and national fame to include: Warpy Waterfall, Hal Denman’s Orchestra, Danny Russo and His Orioles, Emil Velasco, Amos Ostot and His Crimson Serenaders, and Ace Brigode and His Virginians.
The venues for these dances included the Roberts Hotel, Delaware Hotel, Commercial Club Hall, Alhambra Hall, the Masonic Temple, and the Delaware Country Club. The newspaper Society columns described elaborate decorations for winter-themed dances. There were painted scenes for backdrops, crepe paper streamers and holly garlands, Christmas trees, icicles, igloos, and tinted light shades. Some groups decorated in themes using their club colors. As well, there were long lists of attendees with detailed descriptions of their formal attire.
1934 Violet Club dance ticket
These dances were bright and happy occasions, greatly anticipated as part of the year-end social scene. It was an opportunity for Muncie residents and guests to celebrate and gather together to enjoy the beauty of the holiday season.
