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Show V" c vr'tV Dance to the music sound s a Anyone thinking ballroom dancing and at the not a of has the night spent obviously past Tuesday thing big-ban- d Terrace From a few seconds before 9 pm when Max Engeman checks the time and calls his musicians to order until the stroke of nudmght when the music stops, the ballroom takes on the excitement of a high school junior prom, but one that's been a weekly happemng for almost 40 years Boyd F. Jensen, executive vice president, Lagoon Corp , sees the Tuesday night terps,chore as an institution m these parts For many people, its their place on Tuesday night. And why not? It's fun. And there are lots of great people having a good time. The dancing may have its therapeutic value for some, he said. They will be dancing longer and harder if they dance at man whirling a partner all. Theres many a spry white-hairearound the floor d or older, grew up The dancers, most of them middle-agewhen it was not only enjoyable, but highly proper to touch your dance partner, indeed, to hold her tight for the slow last dance d Swingers in Motion Max Engeman, in reality an executive vice president for a bank, but on Tuesday mght the man who sets the swingers and swayers m motion, started playing with the Adolph Lrox band when the bahroom was the Coconut Grove The ballroom saw its heyday during World War II when the GIs would head into town and the neighborhood girls from all over the valley would be (here to meet them. s Mr. Jensen claims that ballroom dancing is seeing a revival. Its been a fact of Lfe in Salt Lake City for so long that theres no time for revival talk. He is proud of his ballrooms record with many others closing across the country. Mr. and Mrs. James Lentz, Salt Lake City, met at the ballroom 30 years ago when she was a cashier and he was an Air Force sergeant who ran the Camp Kearns officers club. They remember sometimes there were as many as 4,000 dancers on a Saturday mght. Theyve loved the place ever since they met. The only turn theyve stayed away was a period when Mrs. Lentz was ill. It's their thing to get dressed up every Tuesday night and to rest between dances at their own table. Its thews because everyone knows thats where they always sit. The faces keep changing, Helen Lentz said. But the quality of people is still good. The major factor is age. People get older and then they quit coming. Or they come lookmg and when they find what they like and get married, they stop Besides just liking to dance, there are other reasons for being here, Mr Lentz said. You hardly ever see a drunk. If we see someone whos spent too much time with a glass and not enough dancing, we help him outside. But its always done quiet pooh-pooh- k pf Sait ak xjitestyie J Food Women Sunday Morning, September 30, 1973 Section W f u t 1 t f H Family J Page One the smoke doesn't hang low in here So you dont get a headache. The music is great and the floor is good The Lentzes are fussy about the dance i.oor. Mrs Ler.tz said the ideal floor is clean, but slick Sometimes during intermission, she recommends to the management that a light wax might slick things up The Lentzes dont like the current dance styles, but they concede that people can dance however they want Mr Lentz pointed out that last New Year's Eve, there was a rock band upstairs and a more conservative dance band in the ballroom ly And By Judy Rollins Assistant Lifesty le Editor Our Kind of Music you should have seen all the young people who came down to the mam floor to dance to our kind of music," Mr Lentz said Catchmg the Lentzes together on the floor is practically impossible after the first dance until it's time to go home They spend them tune dancing with friends The ballroom management is proud of its continued history of Tuesday dances All Our business has held its own, Mr Jensen said through those really hollow years when ballrooms were being turned into car sales rooms, penny arcades and sales emporiums, weve had dances every Tuesday night The dancers are almost fanatic about their support Many each Tuesday despite the weather They drive from regularly come from Logan, east of Evanston, ttyo. and from Delta It may be storming outside, but inside they still dance Dance Instructors Richard Aggen and Anne Thibeault, Ogden dance instructors, make Tuesday a regular part of their dance circuit each week They are at the ballioum three nights a week and go to die to dance on Saturday Jack Witliey, Sait Lake City, has been coming to the dances not yet since 1938 So naturally he wouldnt let a broken arm set, but m a sling keep him from his appointed rounds Tay-lors- v Where could you have more fun? he said. That is, if you like dancing. Mr. Jensen puts the dancers into tnree categories There are those who love to dance and for whom Tuesday night offers them recreation. They are the majonty. There are a few looking for a place to go. The third group is composed of those seeking companionship, a partner They look under the blue light where the stag line forms And frequently they find what they want Dancers meet and marry And then there are always a few who take the long walk up the ramp just to see w hat's going on for the price an exodus into the past And it's all there of admission, less than a movie ticket. Mr Engeman offers conventional dance music that has been updated There are popular songs and lots of oldies If you dont hear what you like, just ask him. Tell him you wan to hear his swing version of The Battle Hymn of the Mr. Jensen said Republic, Ballroom dancers get to know the management well. Mr Jensen spoke at one dancers funeral The music included two of his favorite dance tunes. r I Max Engeman remembers the old days when the ballroom was the Coconut Grove and he played with the Adolph Brox band. Now dancers can set their watches by the time when he calls musicians to order, last note sounds at midnigh'. f f A ? Li f ,! 1 4. I Tribune staff photos by Lynn R. Johnson RIM Problem like a broken arm won t stop Jack Withey, Claire Manning. 1 Mr. and Mrs. James E. Lentz met at ballroom when she was a cah!er. Richard Aggen, Instructors, Anne Thibeault, Ogden dance make the Tuesday night trip to dance a regular part of their routine. Thv admit they cant stop . . . dancing Is in blrod. i V 4, 8 .5, a i |