October 12, 1968Avalon BallroomSan Francisco, California
The reason for the stage banter about dancing is because the Avalon Ballroom was actually a true old-school ballroom, like the Carousel Ballroom, which even had a specially made springy floor to make dancing easier.
These venues were built in the days when ballroom dancing was still very popular, and they hosted dances at night and provided dance lessons during the day. Even as late as 1968, by law they were only permitted to hold dances, not “concerts.”
Jerry must have been told he should get the crowd to dance so they could claim they were following the city rules of the permit and holding a “dance.” That’s why Bob jokingly called Dark Star a foxtrot.
If you look at photos of shows at the Fillmore during this period, the audience members are generally sitting on the floor, not dancing. Rock music wasn’t really considered danceable music in those days (for that matter, plenty of people still don’t consider a rock show a place to dance). Which means that in all likelihood the “hippie dance” which Deadheads are famous (or infamous) for got it’s start largely because the Dead’s early shows at the Avalon and Carousel ballrooms were technically “dances,” and the audience was encouraged to dance just to comply with the permit.
In other words, the hippie dance we all know and love was originally all about Deadheads being good, law-abiding citizens!
October 12, 1968Avalon BallroomSan Francisco, California
The reason for the stage banter about dancing is because the Avalon Ballroom was actually a true old-school ballroom, like the Carousel Ballroom, which even had a specially made springy floor to make dancing easier. These venues were built in the days when ballroom dancing was still very popular, and they hosted dances at night and provided dance lessons during the day. Even as late as 1968, by law they were only permitted to hold dances, not “concerts.” Jerry must have been told he should get the crowd to dance so they could claim they were following the city rules of the permit and holding a “dance.” That’s why Bob jokingly called Dark Star a foxtrot. If you look at photos of shows at the Fillmore during this period, the audience members are generally sitting on the floor, not dancing. Rock music wasn’t really considered danceable music in those days (for that matter, plenty of people still don’t consider a rock show a place to dance). Which means that in all likelihood the “hippie dance” which Deadheads are famous (or infamous) for got it’s start largely because the Dead’s early shows at the Avalon and Carousel ballrooms were technically “dances,” and the audience was encouraged to dance just to comply with the permit. In other words, the hippie dance we all know and love was originally all about Deadheads being good, law-abiding citizens!