Dancing in the Daytime

Happening upon the classic rock-'n'-roll picture reproduced at right (photographed at a New Zealand country dance), "Photo News" was moved to a natural reaction — and a question.

The results, printed on these pages, give emphatic reassurance that grace and beauty still exist in the dance. They show Gay Thomson and Terry Bai, of Gisborne (above), dancing on the open—air stage at Wai-kanae Beach.

The questions Has the rock-'n'-roll craze entirely removed grace and rhythm from the local dance floor?

We took the question to Charles Fitness, who conducts classes for dancers in Poverty Bay. For answer he suggested that we get our cameras to work.

Gay, who is sweet seventeen, and Terry, who is nineteen, turned out in full evening dress, and on a warm spring morning last week demonstrated a number of dances and dance poses for the camera. Both are pupils of Mr Fitness.

In Gay's ballroom gown: 100yds of tulle

A typical tango pose

Modern waltz

Sequins blur as Gay swirls in rumba

Terry has been learning dancing for two years, and Gay for just on a year. Their ability on the dance floor will give them pleasure for many years to come. Many pupils who take up dancing become so interested that they begin competing in local and national dance festivals, progressively go for bronze, silver, and gold medals.

Gisborne people will have an opportunity this weekend to see two world-champion dancers in action at Poho-o-rawiri hall, Robert and Shelda Wrightson, of Australia.