Shagging and Shim Shamming
An Abundance of Dance and Song
"Youth takes
its fling and gets into the gay, carnival atmosphere at the New York World’s Fair with 'shagging' and shim shamming," quotes a press release from the day dancing first took place outside the Theme Center. Performance — both professional and amateur — was an exciting part of the daily Fair experience. Dancing
and choral groups abounded; the Special Events office encouraged them to take part, tying celebrations to their visits and sponsoring innumerable "special days" with themed performances. Whether it was the Jitterbug Contest, foreign performers dancing in traditional garb, glee clubs singing in the Hall of Religion, or famous performers like Bill
"Bojangles" Robinson making an appearance, visitors were bound to run into a musical show any day, at almost any time.