Do They Still Have School Dances? Dr. Ed Iannuccilli
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Do They Still Have School Dances? Dr. Ed Iannuccilli
Is the school dance now in the rear-view mirror? I had not heard lately, and I wonder whether they are as much a part of the American culture as they were for me. When I was a kid, school dances, though torturous they may be, were an integral part of our lives.
Adolescence was not easy, and dancing added to the struggle. In junior high school, though dance class was obligatory, I made every effort to avoid it, to no avail. The instructor was not only determined to teach us to dance. but also, to teach us the etiquette of asking a girl. It was a potential disaster laden with the self-consciousness of smelly, sweaty armpits, moisture on your upper lip, and being short.
Boys stood to one side of the gym while the girls, taller, more mature and beautiful, stood at the opposite wall. Oh yes, that same palestra where we gathered in clusters on squeaky floors for gym class, was now transformed from a sweaty venue to a faux dance hall with big windows and echoes of waltzes.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe school initiated the dances to help kids socialize and to help keep them out of trouble. Though I cannot remember asking a girl in those classes, I am sure the teacher made it happen.
Well, OK, learning to dance at school was one thing, but Saturday nights were something quite different because that was the night of the LaSalle Canteen.
At the LaSalle Canteen, we gathered under the watchful eyes of the Christian Brothers while we danced to spinning 45's. With confidence in numbers, off I went with friends.
I remember how much fun it was . . . sorta . . . most of the time. The difficulty was summoning the courage to ask a dance-partner, perhaps an unspoken girlfriend, one I sometimes walked home from school, carried her books, asked to a movie, borrowed her pencils, and was short. But dancing? Well, that was another world.
It took some time, usually forced by, “This is the last set,” before my confidence ascended to a suitable height. Canteen struggles slowed me down, stymied me, and I found excuses such as:
She was standing with a group of girlfriends. Someone else was dancing with her. It was ladies’ choice, and I ran to the boy’s room. I came out of the boy’s room and your ‘girlfriend’ tapped someone else.
Or it just wasn't the right song. And finally, when you did get the courage to ask, two things happened. It was the last set of the evening and, the Brothers came ‘round, peered over their pince-nez eyeglasses, tapped you on the shoulder and admonished, “Leave room for the Holy Ghost," just when you were warming up. And the tune?
Why “Good Night Sweetheart” by The Spaniels of course.
As awkward and uncomfortable as we were, being introduced to dancing, hanging out and socializing at the Canteen was an experience we craved and enjoyed. Oh, to have another chance.
