Dance Marathons at the USU Museum of Anthropology

“Dance Marathons” is the theme for the week’s “Saturday at the Museum” event sponsored by Utah State University’s Museum of Anthropology. The program is offered Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

In the 1930s, when the Great Depression gripped the United States, people flocked to Dance Marathons, or Walk-a-thons, for entertainment that sometimes lasted for as long as an entire month. Couples danced for days for the chance to win a monetary prize. Some people competed to have a safe roof over their heads and warm meals to eat.

 

Twenty-four hour dance marathons are still popular today among non-profit organizations that use them for fund raising and increasing awareness of social issues. The museum’s Saturday dance marathon event will review the history of dance marathons, including samples of music and images of past marathon participants. The USU Ballroom Dance Team will be available all day to teach dance steps to museum visitors.

 

“This activity will be fun and educational for all ages,” said Saturday student event planner Nicole Burnard. “Everybody, come get your groove on.”

 

USU students and members of the public are invited to the museum any time during open hours: M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays for the “Saturday at the Museum” series from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Funding for Saturday events is provided by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online (www.imls.gov).

 

The USU Museum of Anthropology is on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building. For more information on this event, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum Web site.

 

 

Source: Museum of Anthropology

Contact: USU Museum of Anthropology (435) 797-7545, anthmuse@cc.usu.edu