The Modern Dance Tutor; Or Society Dancing.

Toronto: Hawkins & Co., Printers, 1878. First Edition. The work contains descriptions of all the latest fashionable and popular dances, viz: “2 Step Rockaway”, “3 Step Rockaway”, “4 Step Rockaway”, “Glide” Waltz, “Triune Glide”, and the latest changes in the “Lancers” and “Quadrilles”. The popular Toronto music and dance instructor from Oakville, Upper Canada, also ran the Music Hall, which published and sold sheet music from 1873-75. By the time he had published the present work his dance academy had acquired a permanent address at 80 Wilton Avenue. Throughout his career Davis composed numerous polkas, lancers, rockaways, waltzes, two-steps and other dances. Among these were the ‘Call to Arms Polka’ (1885), inspired by the North-West Rebellion, and ‘The New Premier’ (1896), commemorating Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s election victory. In 1888 he became vice-president of the National Dancing Association, and in 1894, vice-president of the National Association of Teachers of Dancing in the United States and Canada. He was the first president of the Western Association Normal School Masters of Dancing founded in 1894. Davis also choreographed numerous dances for presentation at dance conventions, and in 1900 won the grand prize for dancing at the universal exposition in Paris. A rare work, of which we can locate only six institutional copies, all of which are in Canada. DCB XIV pp. 275-76.. 16mo. pp. vii, [8]-70, [2]ads. 1 illus. & several diagrams in the text. original cloth (spine ends frayed). elala5886