Monday, September 29, 1997
The University Daily Kansan
Section A-Page 5
Dancers swing to music of past at Puff Pant Prom
By Rachale Detweiler
rdetweiler@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Lawrence resident Marion Howey was the woman of the moment Saturday night at the Puff Pant Prom at the Riverfront Mall.
When the band Junk Yard Jazz dedicated "All of Me" to Howey, 81, she stood up and dramatically blew a kiss to the band and the crowd. As she sat down, her smile was as lively as the dancers spinning and swinging in their 1920s-style costumes.
This year's prom was a revival of one of Lawrence's most original and enjoyable parties, said Billie Archer, president of the Friends of KU Women's Studies, which sponsored the event.
This was Howey's evening to remember her involvement with the original Puff Pant Proms back in the 1930s as a member of Tau Sigma sorority at the University of Kansas.
The original Puff Pant Proms were held at Robinson Gymnasium and were for women only. They came as couples, and many women dressed in men's clothes.
The proms ended in 1941 because of World War II. The tradition ended at the same time as the era of big bands, spirited dancing and flashy costumes.
"Everything was about dancing when I was in college," Howey said as she scanned the dance floor filled with 20 people. "I can't dance like they do now. It has no style. It's just jumping around."
Back in her college days, the women made all the costumes they wore to the dances, or they borrowed tuxedos from male friends. Howey said.
As she looked around the room Saturday, Howey talked about how other forms of entertainment had crowded out dancing.
"Not many kids came," she said. "They're too busy. I have six grandchildren, but they all better learn to dance."
During the band's intermission, Howey spoke with band member Clyde Bysom, Lawrence resident.
Bysom and his band played tunes for the original Puff Pant Proms.
Bysom said that dancing and playing music was therapy and a way to remember the past. He said that he would play for anyone who would take him. He saw jazz greats such as Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey play in Lawrence during his college days.
"We really like to play for dancing," Bysom said. "I hate to see dancing fade away. It used to be the main thing for entertainment."
Local dance instructors Di Anne Damro and Mike Rendel taught original dances of 1920s and 1930s, such as the Charleston, the Varsity Drag and the Swing, to the participants, some in vintage clothing of the era and others in modern dress clothes.
"It makes them get giddy and have a fun time," said Nate Folland of the flowing 1920s costumes, shining jewelry and long-stemmed cigarette holders. "But if you feel like you had to dress up, it would take away the fun."
Basket exhibit meshes form, function
By Linus Williams Special to the Kansan
A collection of bamboo baskets representing rural Japanese craftsmanship that, one critic called unforgettable is now on display at the Spencer Museum of Art.
"A Basketmaker in Rural Japan," on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, features 100 bamboo baskets made by Hiroshima Kazuo, who has been making baskets for 65 years.
The exhibit, which opened in August and will be at the museum through Oct. 12, contains baskets that serve the utilitarian functions of rural Japanese communities. Each basket has its own unique shape and size, ranging from the size of a purse to the size of a bathtub.
"If someone walking through this exhibit would give themselves the
opportunity to follow the lines of how these baskets are tightly woven and placed together, they would be amazed at the kind of practicality that's there," said John Teramoto, curator of Asian art at the museum. "Everything in these baskets is made for a purpose. Everything fits together in a way that strengthens something else."
The collection includes baskets for catching eel and trapping fish. There are sturdy delivery baskets, backpacks, sieves, funnels, colanders and a woven bamboo tray for raising silkworms. Throughout the exhibit, some baskets may be handled and examined by the public.
"The baskets represent a long tradition of craftsmanship, as well as the overall idea of craftsmanship in Japanese culture." Teramoto said.
injury in his childhood prohibited him from working in the fields. At age 15, he was apprenticed to a basketmaker, and three years later he took up the trade on his own.
Hiroshima Kazuo was born in 1915 in southern Japan. A hip
Kazuo traveled to families who needed his skills and stayed with them until he had completed making and repairing baskets. He studied each basket he repaired, combining his own style producing unique blends of traditional Japanese baskets.
In 1948, he and his wife opened a workshop on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, where he still makes baskets today.
In a review of the exhibit in "The Kansas City Star," critic Alice Thorson wrote, "Handmade bamboo baskets, which began as functional objects, do not immediately suggest notions of "art" in the Western sense, but as presented in this exhibit, they are unforgettable."
CHICAGO TRIP-SEE THE WINDY CITY
NOVEMBER 7-9
round trip airfare and hotel included Come see Jenny Jones and shop in the best little city in the world! $199 per person for a great weekend large groups accommodated
Call SUA for more info. at 864-3477
Don't miss the 5th annual
Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer Benefit Dance
Presented by Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association Breast Cancer Action, Inc. & Columbus Club, Inc.
8 p.m. to midnight Lawrence Columbus Club 2206 East 23rd St.
$12.50 per per-
Featuring The Benders Saturday, October 4
---
Let Byron, Johnny, Kevin and Larry bring back all those memories from the '50s & '60s as you dance the night away in support of breast cancer awareness. This year, 180,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 44,000 women will die. Early detection saves lives.
All proceeds from this event will benefit women who are unable to afford yearly mammograms. Mammogram vouchers will be distributed through Health Care Access.
For tickets or more information, please call 749-8840
Special thanks to these caring sponsors :
Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association Breast Cancer Action, Inc. Columbus Club, Inc. KLWN/KLZR HyVee Advanced Home Care M. ann B. Catering Smith St. John McDonald Beverage
Every weekend, KU students around Lawrence have only one thing on their minds...
Show Me the $$$ donating your life saving plasma FREE Physicals & Imprints
Up to $40 this week (2 visits, 1/2 hours each) Up To $360 this month!
Biomedical Center
816 W. 24th St.
749-5750
Mon-Fri 9-6:30
Nabi
Look for our yellow pages ad under Caterers for our menu and call today!
Look for us at Memorial Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse.
Call Today 841-SMOK (7665)
BUM STEER
GUARANTEED CATERING
-On time service
-Fresh quality food
-Quantities
guaranteed lowest price
1105 Massachusetts
Monday's
$1.00 WELLS
& FREE POOL
Friday's $2.00
EVERYTHING
Saturday's
$1.50 WELLS &
$1.50
Honey Brown Pints
Guiness •Bass •Boulevard Pale Ale Boulevard Wheat •Fat Tire •Boulder Porter