The Adelaide Show Podcast putting South Australian passion on centre stage

150: Is It News?

Listen to episode 150 of The Adelaide Show podcast, which was published July 6 2016, to find out which story is fake.

Dancing Banned By Some Churches

News 1941

THE decision of the Methodist Conference not to favor the holding of dances in church buildings and colleges has the support of some other denominations. Here is the practice the churches follow:

Baptists.-There is no rule on the subject of dancing on church property or raising money for churches by dancing. Each church makes its own decision, and it decides that dancing should not be permitted. Dancing does not fit in with the Baptists' spiritual ideas.

Congregational.- Each church is a law unto itself as to whether it permits dancing on its property. The practice is not to hold dances. Salvation Army.-Dancing is frowned upon at a:l times, publicly and privately.

Church of England.-Synod has not discussed the subject. Ministers make their own decisions. Dancing on church property or to raise money for church purposes is not approved.

Presbyterian.-Dancing on church property is prohibited. Dances may be held for entertainment away from the church, but only under the supervision of the minister and two elders. No dances are held to raise money for church purposes.

Roman Catholic.-Dances are permitted on church property provided that they are conducted by some responsible person. No liquor is allowed to be consumed at a dance.

Dance Banned: Vibrated Town Hall

News 1937

Fears that vibrations caused by “swing”” dances in the banqueting room of the Hindmarsh Town Hall would seriously affect the walls of the hall were expressed by the town clerk (Mr. R. W. Langman) in a report to the last meeting of the Hindmarsh Council. Mr. Langman said that when working at night in his office he noticed a shutter vibrating. Inquiries showed that this was caused by a “swing time dance” then in progress. Apparently, the regular rhythm of the steps by the dancers had caused the vibrations, and the longer the dance was continued the more swing developed on the walls. He asked the instructor of the dance class not to put that particular dance on again. It was evident, said Mr. Langman that the council would have to consider the question of not letting the banqueting room for regular dances. His report was adopted.

Council Bans Male Dancing Couples

News 1929

Adelaide October 23. The Adelaide City Council has decided that men shall not be allowed to dance together at any function at the town hall. Alderman Donnellan said that two men dancing together reminded him of a couple of horses galloping across a floor. While girls were sitting out, men often danced together, he said. The Alderman also stated it was “simply not the done thing to be dancing with friends whilst the ladies were seated”.

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