Arthur Murray was an American ballroom dancer and businessman, whose name is most often associated with the dance studio chain that bears his name. He was born:1895, in the Ukraine
and he died, March 3, 1991 in Honolulu. He was in the dance business after WWI. and his business expanded more widely in 1938, when an Arthur Murray dance studio franchise was opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Others followed. His slogan was: "If you can walk, we teach you how to dance", and the company guaranteed that the pupils learn to dance in ten lessons. After WWII, Murray's business grew with the rise of interest in Latin dance, and he regularly taught and broadcast in Cuba in the 1950s.
However Fred Astaire began his studios in 1947 and he used the same Rumba basic square step of Arthur Murray, Slow, Quick, Quick, which is still being taught on Oahu. Arthur did not like that, he had invented it. He took him to the Courts and he won. (what do the judges know about dancing?) So Fred Astaire changed his square step to Quick, Quick, Slow and got away with it. To this day that is the way it is taught in the Fred Astaire dance studios. If we get a Fred Astaire studio on Oahu, they will use Quick, Quick, Slow. And they both teach American Style of Dance. I think. Would be a mess except that there an "alternate" basic already on the mainland that resembles the International basic.
At any rate the Arthur Murray faction will teach their dances according to their syllabi. The Fred Astaire faction will teach their dances according to their syllabi. And the Internationals will do the same, teach it according their syllabi. The Social Dancers will dance the entire enchilada their way. Just to enjoy moving to their favorite music. Which brings up the subject of the "Oldies But Goodies." Wha dat mean?
and he died, March 3, 1991 in Honolulu. He was in the dance business after WWI. and his business expanded more widely in 1938, when an Arthur Murray dance studio franchise was opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Others followed. His slogan was: "If you can walk, we teach you how to dance", and the company guaranteed that the pupils learn to dance in ten lessons. After WWII, Murray's business grew with the rise of interest in Latin dance, and he regularly taught and broadcast in Cuba in the 1950s.
"Social dancing is as integral to human life as music.
It fosters self-expression and lifts the spirit."
However Fred Astaire began his studios in 1947 and he used the same Rumba basic square step of Arthur Murray, Slow, Quick, Quick, which is still being taught on Oahu. Arthur did not like that, he had invented it. He took him to the Courts and he won. (what do the judges know about dancing?) So Fred Astaire changed his square step to Quick, Quick, Slow and got away with it. To this day that is the way it is taught in the Fred Astaire dance studios. If we get a Fred Astaire studio on Oahu, they will use Quick, Quick, Slow. And they both teach American Style of Dance. I think. Would be a mess except that there an "alternate" basic already on the mainland that resembles the International basic.
"A Song For You" by Jimmy Borges
At any rate the Arthur Murray faction will teach their dances according to their syllabi. The Fred Astaire faction will teach their dances according to their syllabi. And the Internationals will do the same, teach it according their syllabi. The Social Dancers will dance the entire enchilada their way. Just to enjoy moving to their favorite music. Which brings up the subject of the "Oldies But Goodies." Wha dat mean?
"Social dancers know that most of the important things in the world
have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying
when there seemed to be no hope at all"
have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying
when there seemed to be no hope at all"
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