Taxi Dancers

[Pacion]

Yes, I did say "Taxi Dancers" and not "Taxi Drivers" :lol: there always has to be one lol (And my nominees are :wink: )

Has anyone ever been a taxi dancer or booked a dance with a taxi dancer? What was it like/how did it work? When was it? Which dance was it? Where was it?


I wonder if I can think up another five questions, all with the first word beginning with the letter "W" :lol:

[cl5814]

Pacion,

Taxi dancers ? Will i have to use the google dictionary to find out or are you willing to clue me in ?

[DWise1]

Do they still have taxi dancers? I thought that was a 30's/40's thing.

A local ballroom has a USO-theme dance coming up soon, to which I'm planning on attending in my white jumper (South Pacific sailor-suit to non-Navy here). I've considered picking up a few extra tickets at the door (1-1/2 x 3/4 inch coupons for door-prize drawings) in order to stage a taxi-dancer pick-up for show (she'll have to be in on it, of course).


cl5814, taxi dancers were (are?) dancers for hire in dance halls. As I've seen in the movies, the guys would buy tickets from the hall and then give one to a girl in exchange for a dance. Then at the end of the night, she would exchange her tickets for her pay. Not a very reputable way to make a living and I think that they were generally looked upon as being just one step up from prostitutes -- just my impression from the movies.

I never saw the play nor movie, but I think that the girls in "Sweet Charity" were supposed to be taxi dancers. And Madonna's role in "A League of Their Own", "Anyone" Mae, had been a taxi dancer; in the road-side dance-hall scene her buddy Rosie O'Donnell told the other girls about Mae having been one of the dancers in her father's dance hall and then when they were being threatened with disbanding, Mae swore she'd never go back to taxi-dancing.

[pygmalion]

I must say I hate to admit this, but I dance wherever I am, that there's music (in my head or out LOL) playing. Something to do with sixth grade (third form) all-city orchestra, I think. When there's music playing MOVE! (Thanks, Dr. Allen 8) )


I haven't danced in a taxi since the last time I was overseas, but heck, I dance every single time I'm in a car, here at home. Does that count? 8) :D

[pygmalion]

Oops! I just saw DWise1's post. What IS a taxi dancer, anyway? :oops: :lol:

[DWise1]

Oops! I just saw DWise1's post. What IS a taxi dancer, anyway? :oops: :lol:
From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/taxi%20dancer :
Noun 1. taxi dancer - a woman employed to dance with patrons who pay a fee for each dance

From American Heritage Dictionary at http://www.bartleby.com/61/43/T0064300.html :
NOUN: A woman employed, as by a dance hall or nightclub, to dance with the patrons for a fee.
ETYMOLOGY: From the fact that the dancers are hired, like taxis, for a short period of time.

As I disclaimed, any sleasy connotations I mentioned are purely the impressions I had gotten from seeing taxi dancers in old 40's movies, mainly film noir. Though if you Google on the term, a number of movies entitled "Taxi Dancer" will come up, including a modern Australian adult DVD. And apparently John Mellencamp has a song similarly entitled.

[pygmalion]

Wow! The things you learn in a dance discussion forum! :? :D

(btw, the description could apply to many of my female dance teachers and coaches. I'm sure there was nothing sleazy there, though. All above board.)

[DWise1]

(btw, the description could apply to many of my female dance teachers and coaches. I'm sure there was nothing sleazy there, though. All above board.)
Oh, without a doubt. Most of the taxi dancers' patrons weren't there for love of the dance, but rather to be able to hold a pretty girl real close for a slow dance. Lots and lots of slow dances.

Wow! The things you learn in a dance discussion forum! :? :D
Yes, I first learned about grinding in another thread on this forum. Actually, I heard it mentioned just before WCS class one night when one guy told the others about a dance club they had seen but never been to. He said it was nothing but grinding and they all looked disappointed. All I could think was, "Burlesque?" Amazing that somebody this gray could still be so naïve.

[MacMoto]

One of the biggest monthly salsa clubs in our area has "taxi dancers" although they aren't really.
At this club beginners wear a badge (a little red heart), and the club's "taxi dancers", who are seasoned salser@s and teachers, go around dancing with red hearts so newbies won't feel left out.
They are not hired by these beginners (I don't know if they are paid by the event organisers or just volunteers) and would also dance with people who are not wearing the red heart if asked, but the system does make the event one of the most beginner-friendly in Scotland.

[SDsalsaguy]

What an interesting idea. Any idea how that got started?

[Sagitta]

It's great to have a beginner friendly atmosphere. I always try to dance with quite a few beginners every time I go dancing to help create that atmosphere.

In Ithaca we do have social dances where there usually are people who volunteer to be hosts, that is dance with anyone who asks. That does make it less intimidating and more encouraging to the newbies out there. It still isn't as friendly as I like, but that's the way it goes. I poke the hosts sometimes as quite a few are my friends when they slack off and they start asking people. One year ago there was barely any dancing, but now there is a lot more and there are more people coming out so it's getting better all the time. Perhaps soon I'll feel confident and skille enough to volunteer to be a host at some of these events...we'll see.

[MacMoto]

What an interesting idea. Any idea how that got started?
No -- some inspired thinking on the part of the organisers, I think.
The red heart was already there when I went to this club for the first time about a year ago (wearing a red heart, of course :)). I was not much better than an absolute beginner then, and it was great to have more experienced dancers who were complete strangers come up to me to dance. It really inspired me to take regular salsa lessons. Now when I go to this club, I always look out for and dance with red hearts -- it's about putting back what I was given.

Taxi dancers are a more recent introduction. Maybe the organisers thought beginners were still not getting enough dances.

[DancePoet]

Saggitta:

I like the idea of a host. At the studio where I dance, the owners serve this role usually. Fortunately, some of the dancers who have been around since the studio opened, including me, also ask many people to dance. I view this as contributing to the growth of our dance community by encouraging newer people to return for another social dance. Having a known, volunteer host, might be helpful, too!

[Pacion]

I haven't danced in a taxi since the last time I was overseas, but heck, I dance every single time I'm in a car, here at home. Does that count? 8) :D

:roll: :roll: :doh: :nope: And there I was, thinking I had covered all possible bases, someone reading "driver" instead of "dancer" :lol:

MacMoto, I think the idea of the red heart is a great one! People in Scotland (my impression, but I could be wrong) are very friendly people. But, not sure if something like that would work "easily" in London. But, I am getting my thinking cap on. There have been so many discussions about dancers in London being cliquey/snobbish :cry: which is unfair, as we are all nice :mrgreen:

Wow! The things you learn in a dance discussion forum!

I will take that as a compliment :wink: Besides, the more you learn here, the more reasons you will have to google :wink: :lol:

(I think I am going to write to the UN and Google's management and suggest that they make you the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Google :D )

[mellody43]

"I'm your private dancer, dancer for money, do what you want me to do... "(To quote Tina Turner! LOL!)

[pygmalion]

[(I think I am going to write to the UN and Google's management and suggest that they make you the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Google :D )

Hehe! I was thinking about aproaching them for a sponsorship deal. I represnt them on DF and other dance bulletin boards, they pay for my lessons. You can't beat that deal. LOL.

[Pacion]

Oh yes I do have suggestions to "beat that deal" :wink:

Ehemmm, ehemmm, ehemmmm :!: Have to clear my throat first :wink:

The deal could include: state of the art computer with the latest broadband technology, all "free of charge". They also supply you with an ergonomically design "workstation" with soothing music in the background. (The music technology is such that you just have to think it and it changes to the style of music/song you are thinking about :wink: now THAT could get a bit confusing :lol: )

Anyone else with ideas on how the sponsorship deal could be expanded for our Royal Family Member :lol:

[pygmalion]

:lol: :lol: :lol: