Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1912 — The “Turkey Trot” Barred by Society [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The “Turkey Trot” Barred by Society

NEW YORK.—The “Turkey Trot,” “Grizzly Bear,” and even the "Chicken Reel,” the last word in the dance zoo, may be all right in Newport, but they don’t go among real society folk in New York. That much has been learned in interviews with several dancing masters who number fashionable folk among their pupils. These teachers instruct in the various dances, but they won’t allow them In public Receptions or parties. Discussion of these dances came through the announcement, by the committee on amusements and vacation resources of working girls that the “turkey trot” and “grizzly bear” must go. The dances are supposed to

have been originated by negroes of the underworld. The stage got them next, then society folk and then the tough dance halls. Then the cry to halt. It didn’t come soon enough, however, to stop the “chicken reel,” which W. S. Reeves, head of a dancing school, at 2630 Broadway, originated. ‘*l originated the “chicken reel,” said Mr. Reeves, “but I deny that it is improper. It is the latest development and has none of the features of the 'turkey trot’ and the 'grizzly bear.’ "I Instruct in all three dances, but I do not allow them to be danced at my classes or my receptions. I dance the chicken reel for a club dance in Newport last summer, when I was asked to get up something new.” In the “chicken reel” the partners hold hands and take four steps forward, flapping the outer arms like the wings of a chicken’and rising on the toes at the same time. A Then both stop and scratch like a chicken four times with the right foot facing each other.