The Great Architecture

Hey Everyone! Sorry it's been awhile but remember I am a college student and I had to get through midterms..

So, I keep telling you about how great these Detroit ballrooms were and you're probably wondering why they are so fascinating to me. Well, I know the present Detroit area doesn't seem like a place where grand ballrooms could be, given the forgotten run-down buildings and empty lots where beautiful Victorian houses used to be. However, with the onset of the first big dance craze in America, these sparkling palaces would come alive with the sound of thousands of dancing feet making Detroit one of the busiest of ballroom cities. Now, these places are like empty shipwrecks where a footstep is seldom heard.

The Bob-lo Island Pavilion was designed by Detroit architect Albert Khan and later built in 1914 on a Canadian island in the Detroit River. It was one of the most loved dance halls throughout the swing era by Canadians and Americans alike. During the second half of the 20th century, the area became an amusement park where people would ride a ferry over to the island and spend a day having a picnic or rollerblading inside the old 50,000 sq ft dance hall.

(notice the live orchestra on the left)

Unfortunately, on February 10th, 1993, the amusement park was sold at auction and closed. By August 1994, the land was sold for $4.2 million to developer John Oram who is building luxury homes, a golf course, shops and restaurants on Boblo's former site. Sadly this is the current state of the abandoned dance hall..full of nostalgic memories yet, void of the life it used to hold...

 

Also built in 1914 was the Arcadia dance hall on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, MI. 

In the 1920s, six extraordinary ballrooms were built in Detroit--the Graystone, the Grande, the Jefferson Beach, the Mirror, the Monticello and the Vanity. Patrons went to these spectacular ballrooms to socialize, dance, listen to performers such as the "King of Swing", and (illegally) enjoy some liquor brought across the Detroit River from Canada. 

There was an ongoing contest between architects to create flashy and innovative ballrooms. Aztec and Totec motifs were often used which made patrons feel that they were entering a fantasy. The Vanity Ballroom on Newport St at Jefferson Avenue was given these characteristics by Detroit architect  Charles N. Agree and was a major venue for the leading bands of the 1930s and 1940s such as Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman. 

Fun fact: This ballroom can be spotted in Eminem's famous movie, Eight Mile.

The Vanity ca 1920:   

The Vanity Now:

What used to be a great architectural feat that included a lively atmosphere of dancing and partying is now an unused dilapidated building adding to Detroit's downtrodden aire with no current refurbishing consideration as far as I know.

Overall, the big idea I'm trying to explain is that these magnificent dance halls gave interactive entertainment and therefore brought happiness to people during the toughest of economic times. Dance halls brought people from all walks of life together by giving them entertainment and a way to take their minds off of financial worries. As the Great Depression wore on, dance served as a means to alleviate economic uncertainties.


"Most women adore dancing with a response to rhythm and gaiety that is as natural as liking sunshine. The music, the lights, the flattery, the chance to wear frivolous clothes that have no relation to daytime duties, are too irresistible to be foregone easily." (Giordano)


Furthermore, during the late 1930s, as the Depression began to subside, dance studios once again prospered. This time in a more serious and passionate manner. Almost all offered instruction for Rhumba, Waltz, Tango, and the Fox Trot. They offered high quailty instruction from well-established teachers including Arthur Murray, Ned Wayburn, Louis H. Chalif, Betty Lee, and Miss Dale. A major factor for this surge of dancing was that people wanted to dance like those in the Hollywood movies. (Back when movie tickets only cost $0.25) The new dance couple that many were enthralled with was Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. <3 

Now, our recession has taken away part of Detroit's culture, its spirit, its vibrancy, and not to mention revenue.  I truly believe that if the people of Detroit were given the chance to dance and put some form of play into their lives again , like they did during the Depression, Detroit could uplift itself. 

In conclusion, dance and music used to be the heart of Detroit and the core of its happiness and prosperity.  Moreover,  those who are able to relax and enjoy themselves are more apt to be enthusiastic about life and to care about their community and the issues surrounding them. When past generations created different forms of swing, composed an abundance of genius music pieces, and socialized with each other, they gave Detroit life and made it exemplify excitement and a passion for fun. This is why Detroit needs to dance again. This is why I encourage our generations' participation in the new dance phenomena surge that is beginning to occur with shows such as, So You Thing You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. With a little enthusiasm, charity, and some dance lessons our generation can make Detroit lively and enchanting again. :)

Music and Dancing

Music and Dancing<3 Ahh..two of my favorite things! 
People came to Detroit's ballrooms to forget about the war and their financial troubles. Certainly, they came because they knew there would be great swing bands playing such as Glenn Miller and Arite Shaw. Heck, you even had the chance of spotting Joe Louis on occasion! No-one cared if you were rich or poor because you all came to dance and enjoy the bands!

Can you believe that dancing was so loved during these times, people even danced on the streets of Detroit?! Local businesses, such as Wonder Bread, would place speakers on their trucks and play music while people had dance riots in the streets! Wishing for a time-machine yet? :)
Furthermore, being a musician, I digress at how so many important bands/jazz musicians, black or white, where in love with Detroit's vibrant swagger. Swing dance and music was such an important part of Detroit culture and it's what brought people together from all walks of life even during the most depressing of times. 
Undoubtedly, as our country faces these current troubling times, we find refuge in television series such as Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. However, I feel that instead of simply watching these amazing performers, we need to get up off our couches and DANCE!! I believe that dance (along with music) is the best medicine for the soul and brings vitality into the most downtrodden of communities.
Happy Dancing!!:)

The Swing Society of Detroit

The new national surge of interest in ballroom dancing brought on by new television series, such as Dancing with the Stars, has made me wonder if people realize that during the first half of the 20th century Detroit had huge beautifuly built ballrooms that would be packed with men and women who danced all kinds of versions of swing throughout the night. Swing dancing used to be a VERY popular past-time that would bring people together socially and let them forget about whatever life worries were troubling them (especially during The Depression). 

In our current society, I have come to realize that we don't always take a break from our stressful routine lives to play like past generations have. Play can be defined as any activity that brings joy into your life; whether it be reading, jogging, or horseback riding. It has been scientifically proven that people who play are more likely to feel fulfillment in their lives. Furthermore, while Detroit has become rundown and the beautiful ballroom buildings have been destroyed or decayed, it has lost its radiant swagger that swing dancing used to bring to it. All in all, what made Detroit great was it's spirited citizens. I wish that these great swing dance buildings were still around for us because I believe that we would have a more happy, united and carefree Detroit.