Informal dances were held in many different venues, including country barns. Furniture might be cleared from a home’s parlor to make space; hotels often held afternoon tea dances. Not far from where I live is a well-preserved, stately four-story home built in the late 1890s where the entire top floor is given over to a private ballroom. There are several such homes in Spokane--we’re fortunate in seeing these homes preserved. Sometimes the music was of professional grade, sometimes self-taught fiddlers and guitarists performed. I believe the amazing part is that they were so good.
High in popularity with the young set, the dance pavilions at various lakes drew large crowds. Can’t you just imagine the music floating out over the gently lapping water, stars shining overhead, soft night air brushing the lady’s bare arms lifted to embrace her partner? Gentlemen’s cigar smoke would waft in from the darkness to mingle with the women’s perfume. Bliss. Unless the gentlemen slipped off to imbibe a sip or two from a flask. Fights were known to break out.
In Three Seconds to Thunder, China and Gratton trip the light fantastic at the dance pavilion at Mirror Lake on Spokane's South Hill. China is in heaven--until one of Grat's cases intrudes.
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