On This Date in Minnesota History: January 21

January 21, 1912 – The “Grizzly Bear” dance, which is said to have invaded Minneapolis Greek letter societies at the Pan-Hellenic Ball given by 10 fraternities and sororities at the Masonic Temple Friday night, was criticized tonight by Rev. L. A. Crandall of Trinity Baptist Church.

The “Grizzly Bear Dance¹

 “Although I have never seen either the so-called ‘Grizzly Bear’ dance or the ‘Turkey Trot,’” said Dr. Crandall, “I can tell from their names and the articles in the papers concerning them what they are like, and I do not approve of them. It is no more right for people to hug to music than to hug on a street car or any other public place. I do not think that dancing in itself is wrong, but evil effects may grow out of it. In fact, I can state many cases that I know of, personally, where young people’s lives have been ruined indirectly through dancing. Dancing, years ago, was one form of religious rite. Even now it is used by North American Indians to express their religious emotions, and I have known civilized sects of our own time to use it for that purpose. It has degenerated, however, until some forms of it are unfit for decent people to indulge in.”

The “Turkey Trot” Dance²

Dr. Crandall went on to say that the “Grizzly Bear” dance and the “Turkey Trot” should be stopped, especially at dances that were attended by respectable people, and that hugging dances of all kinds should be abandoned.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “’Grizzly Bear’ Dance Criticized By Pastor. Dr. L. A. Crandall Believes People Have No Right to ‘Hug to Music.’ Major Point in Discussion Declared to Be matter of Supervision. Banishments From Community Termed Impossible Task.”; Jan. 22, 1912; p. 1.

¹http://www.jeredmorin.com/animal-dances-blues-swing-start/the-grizzly-bear/

²https://padavisblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/turkey-trot-02.jpg

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