With my string of tickets in hand, the hostesses spotted me. Still in uniform, I had all the “markings of a rube.”

A red-headed stunner got to me first. Tearing off “one” ticket, she laughed and said: “That just gets you on the floor, Honey,” stuffing the remaining string of tickets between her ample cleavage.
That was my first and only experience at a taxi-dance, skipping down the stairway I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Dodging traffic, I jaywalked across the street to Roseland.

From 1953 to 64 – except for a brief sojourn to California – I was a “steady” at Roseland. Aside from the serious dancing, there were many interesting and “colorful” characters there during that period. I recall a few humorous occasions where the spectators (myself included) would lead a couple on… My favorite was a character who always wore his pants in a “high-water” style – the cuffs about two inches above his shoes. He danced in a “jumpin’ jack style similar to the International Jive, his cadaver-like face grimaced. If his partner missed a step, he would grind his teeth…then, with his lips in a twisted snarl, reprimand her with a chilling glare. She was a cool one though, remaining unperturbed…expressionless, her face a mask unconcerned boredom. He had one particular step that “tore the house down:” He would suddenly come to a full stop…! And for one full measure of music, shake her as though she were a rag doll: 1,2,3,4 – if you applauded loud enough, he would continue for another measure: 5’6’7’8 It was as though his partners had to audition for their part, they all fit the same mold: tall, blonde, zombie-like, subservient – perfect foils for him, “the star.” No one knew him and eventually he just disappeared. But wherever he is now, I’m sure he’s “wowing them.”

End part 6


Part 7

Crazy Benny

One of the most “colorful” and beloved dancers on the New York scene was Benny Trieste – affectionately called “Crazy Benny.”
Benny was an entertainer par excellence, a character that could make you laugh without uttering a word – just a naturally funny guy. A good, but not great dancer, Benny’s forte was comedy. Unfortunately, he did not seem to posses the drive, or ambition, to pursue…to elevate his comedic talents further than the “studio circuit.”

Benny would select his partners (victims) in comedy from the audience.
Common at a social dance were the exhibitionists; you know the type, deliberately seeking attention with exaggerated, poorly executed moves, oftentimes with discarded shoes – Benny’s cue to move in.

A master of pantomime, his partners were not always aware of his humorous tricks. Leading his willing, but unsuspecting partner into an underarm turn, he would pretend a tired yawn, tenderly patting his lips, then moving closer to her up-raised arm, as she continued turning (her back to him, unaware of his antics,) he’d sniff – recoiling from the obvious…as the girl completed the turn. I can’t recall anyone ever being offended by him. With perfect timing, he had the uncanny knack of doing his “routine” while the girl’s back was to him, as in the above scenario. He would delicately pick his nose, scratch…stop short! (as though his shoe was nailed to the floor), then pull, tug, until his partner was in an advantageous position (for him),

Then, with his foot “released,” crash into her, gently forcing her to the floor.
On the floor (a tangled mess) with the audience howling, he would slowly raise and lower her skirt at the knee. Finally…in futile disgust, throw his hands down and momentarily abandon the bewildered girl, but would quickly return with a friendly smile, helping her to her feet.

Thick skinned, you could not embarrass him. Whether performing, or just “clowning” around, he was true to character: self-deprecating, agreeable, condescending; able to turn any attack from a heckler into a laugh.
I always thought that Benny got much of his material from Sid Ceasar’s early TV hit – the hilarious “SHOW of SHOWS.”
Of my many dance friends, Benny was one of my all-time favorites, a delightful human being that no one ever said a bad word about.
Benny is gone now, but remains in my heart: The funniest guy I have ever known.

End part 7

This story and others to follow are excerpts from my first book, "Diary of a Street Dancer." My E-mail number for anyone interested in a copy is: wdarian23@att.net.


01-Nov-2010