Dance marathon

Marathon dancing, 1923

Dance marathons are events in which people dance or walk to music for an extended period of time. They started as dance contests in the 1920s and developed into entertainment events during the Great Depression in the 1930s.[1] Before the development of "reality shows", dance marathons blurred the line between theatre and reality. Also known as endurance contests, dance marathons attracted people to compete as a way to achieve fame or win monetary prizes.[2][3] The 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, based on the 1935 novel of the same title written by Horace McCoy, a bouncer at several such marathons,[4] popularized the idea and prompted students at Northwestern University, Pennsylvania State University, Indiana University, Ohio State University, the University of Florida, the University of Iowa, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to create charity dance marathons. Marathons could last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks.

Popularity

1920s and 1930s

Dance marathons became popular in the United States during the Great Depression.[5] The popularity of dance marathons began in 1923 when a woman named Alma Cummings danced continuously for 27 hours with six different partners. After Cummings established her record, dance marathons became common in the United States. Initially, participants competed in order to break Cummings's record, but later on people began to compete to win prizes,[6] which could range from money to publicity.[7]

Dance marathons were a huge hit during the Great Depression as they provided contestants and spectators food, shelter and the opportunity to earn cash prizes, at a time when many people needed a meal and free entertainment.[6] The dances were popular at this time not only because these events supplied basic human needs to both the contestants and audience, but are also popular due to the sadistic pleasure, or power the audience felt through watching the contestants compete in the grueling event.[8]

The depression era marathons faded in the public's enthusiasm in the late 1930's due to increased municipal ordinances and the decreased amount of towns where the seamier side of the promotions were unknown. The improving economic conditions and the American entry into World War II also contributed to their demise.[8]

Rules

Rules vary widely, but one common rule of the marathon stated that the participants could not fall asleep, although some marathons would allow one part of the team to sleep as long as their teammates continued dancing. It was important for the team to keep moving because if they stopped, they would be disqualified from the contest.[7] Contestants were only allowed to leave the dance floor for hygienic or medical purposes, to change clothing, or for other similar circumstances.[9] A mixture of other elements were incorporated in the marathons including elimination sprints, raffles, mud wrestling and fake weddings of competitors.[10] Oftentimes, the type of music played at a dance marathon changed throughout the duration of it. It consisted of a mix of slow and upbeat music to give the contestants breaks and also keep them going and energized.[7] Spectators were allowed to come in and watch the marathon and the contestants competing. Often, viewers were able to pay 25 cents to watch the marathon for as long as they wished.[6]

Opposing groups

Although many people supported marathons because they were sources of entertainment, there were outside groups that opposed the marathons. Some external groups did not like what the marathons were doing to participants. Movie theater owners, church groups, and women's groups were among those that opposed the marathons.[6] Movie theatre owners were unhappy because people were paying to watch the marathons instead of attending films. Churches were unhappy with the way that the contestants danced with each other as it was not socially acceptable during the time period. Women's groups were upset because they thought it was unethical to charge spectators to watch dancers humiliate themselves.[6]

In 1928, Seattle passed an ordinance prohibiting dance marathons within city limits when a woman attempted suicide after competing in a 19-day marathon and receiving 5th place.[8] Other states followed Seattle's precedent shortly after. Although marathons were extremely popular, they were also dangerous. During a marathon in the 1920s, a man named Homer Morehouse was the first contestant to dance in the marathon, but after dancing for 87 hours, he collapsed from exhaustion and died on the dance floor.[11]

Charity dance marathons

Today, over 250 colleges and high schools nationwide participate in dance marathons of some sort to raise money for children's hospitals. Some raise money under the Children's Miracle Network and with their help, while others are entirely student-run and operate to benefit partnered charities.[12] Each year, students organize and host different types of dance marathon events in which participants stand on their feet for 12–46 hours straight.

THON at Pennsylvania State University

A modern charity dance marathon at Pennsylvania State University

The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as THON and is run by is a 46-hour-long dance marathon that takes place every February at Pennsylvania State University to raise money to combat children's cancer. THON was started in 1973 by the university's Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council, and in its first year raised more than $2,000. Today, it is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world[13][14] with an overall total since 1977 of more than $147 million. In 2011, THON raised $9,563,016.09, in 2013, $12,374,034.46 and in 2014, $13,343,517.33.[15] The money raised is donated to the Four Diamonds Fund, a charity devoted to defeating pediatric cancer through research and treats patients at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Children's Hospital.

Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM)

Founded in 1975, Northwestern University Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as NUDM, is one of the nation's largest student-run philanthropies. The event unites more than 1,500 students, faculty, and staff to participate in the 30-hour dance-a-thon at the end of the winter quarter. The primary beneficiary is chosen each May, and over 300 committee members work throughout the year to help organize the event and raise awareness. In 2013, NUDM raised $1,214,632 to benefit The Danny Did Foundation. In 38 years, NUDM raised more than $13 million for 30 different charities.[16][17]

Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM)

The Indiana University Dance Marathon, commonly known as IU Dance Marathon or IUDM, is a 36-hour Dance Marathon that takes place every November at Indiana University with the purpose of raising both funding and awareness for pediatric care. In 1991, student Jill Stewart started IU Dance Marathon in honor of her friend, Ryan White, who died from AIDS the year before. Since then, IUDM has raised over $32 million for Riley Hospital for Children, including $4,203,326.23 during the 2017 marathon year. IUDM currently supports the Wells Center for Pediatric Research and Riley Hospital for Children. [18]

University of Florida Dance Marathon

Dance Marathon at University of Florida, commonly referred to as DM at UF, is an annual 26.2 hour dance marathon that takes place every March or April to benefit patients at the University of Florida Health Shands Children's Hospital in Gainesville. In the 24 years of DM at UF, more than $18.2 million has been donated, which makes it the most successful student-run philanthropy in the southeastern United States. In 2018, DM at UF broke records with a total of $3,026,420.19 raised for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals at the University of Florida Health Shands Children's Hospital.

University of Iowa Dance Marathon (UIDM)

The University of Iowa Dance Marathon was founded in 1994 and provides financial and emotional support to pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients treated at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Over the past 24 years, the University's largest student organization has raised $24,548,226.30 for the children's hospital. In 2018, UIDM raised a total of $3,011,015.24, making it the second Miracle Network Dance Marathon in the country to raise over three million dollars[19]. After a ten year, $5 million leadership gift to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital's building campaign, the 11th floor was named the UI Dance Marathon Pediatric Cancer Center. Since then, the student-run group has donated over $2.2 million to create the UI Dance Marathon Pediatric Oncology Targeted Therapy Program and $2 million to establish the first student-funded chair position at the University of Iowa, the UI Dance Marathon Chair in Pediatric Oncology, Clinical and Translational Research[20][21].

Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan (DMUM)

Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan (DMUM) was founded in 1997 and raises funds awareness for pediatric rehabilitation therapies at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, part of the University of Michigan Health System, and Beaumont Children's Hospital.[22] The money raised for these programs allows DMUM families to participate in various pediatric rehabilitation therapies. Participants of DMUM volunteer at these therapies in order to build relationships with the children who benefit from these programs. Every March, participants of DMUM stand for over 24 hours at Michigan's Indoor Track and Field to show their dedication to the children, families, and hospitals they support. In 2017, DMUM raised over $510,000 for the kids.

University of Maryland Terp Thon

Terp Thon at the University of Maryland was founded in 2009 and has since raised over $4.2 million For The Kids at Children's National Health System in Washington D.C. 100% of the fundraising efforts go directly to Children's National so that no family is turned away due to their inability to pay. Terp Thon creates events throughout the year to aid fundraising and awareness efforts. Each year, Terp Thon continues to break records and in 2014 became the youngest dance marathon to enter the Top 10 Dance Marathon programs in the country. In 2015, Terp Thon raised more than $600,000. In 2017, Terp Thon raised over $1 million becoming the youngest ever Dance Marathon to accomplish this.

Purdue University Dance Marathon (PUDM)

Purdue University Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as PUDM, was founded in 2005 and has since raised over 6.7 million dollars for the kids at Riley Hospital for Children. PUDM consists of a number of fundraising events throughout the year all leading up to an 18-hour dance marathon each fall. PUDM is the largest student-run organization on Purdue's campus. In 2017 PUDM raised a record setting 1.125 million dollars.[23]

Florida State University Dance Marathon (FSUDM)

With more than one beneficiary, FSU’s dance marathon benefits CMNH and the FSU College of Medicine Pediatric Outreach Program. FSU’s dance marathon Executive Director Felicia Armstrong participated during her four years of college and loves the sense of community the marathon brings to both students and families. “[It’s about being] a part of something bigger than yourself,” she said. And it’s definitely bigger than any of us with over 1,000 students participating in letter-writing campaigns and sponsorships with local businesses, like Insomnia Cookies, to raise money. The marathon has raised more than $6 million for the kids since 1996. The 2018 campaign raised a total of $2,152,382 for Children's Miracle Network, surpassing the previous year's record by $322,214.[24]

Rutgers University Dance Marathon (RUDM)

Rutgers University Dance Marathon (RUDM) is the largest, student-run philanthropic event in New Jersey. RUDM’s mission is to provide emotional and financial support for children who are a part of Embrace Kids Foundation. RUDM participants dance to help raise funds and awareness that goes towards Embrace Kids Foundation’s mission to support the non-medical needs of children with cancer, sickle cell, and other serious disorders. Since 1999, RUDM has raised over $6.8 million for Embrace Kids Foundation. The money raised has helped countless families in the tri-state area cope with the numerous challenges of pediatric cancer. All the money RUDM raises goes directly to Embrace Kids Foundation and helps support the non-medical needs of children with blood disorders and cancer. In 2017, RUDM managed to surpass the coveted goal and raised over a million dollars for the cause.

New York Dance Marathon (NYDM)

New York Dance Marathon (NYDM) is New York University's Dance Marathon on campus benefiting the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. NYDM began as a collective movement between the Fraternity and Sorority members on NYU’s campus in September 2012. NYU’s inaugural dance marathon, took place on November 23, 2013, and with an original goal of $46,000, NYDM surpassed this raising $126,020.66. This became the most successful first year dance marathon in US history. NYDM’s inaugural year inspired not only the NYU Fraternity and Sorority members, but the entire NYU community. In five years time, NYDM has raised over $1,700,000 for the B+ Foundation.

Other schools

Dance Marathon at UCLA, in its 11th year in 2012 and raised a total of $3 million, benefits the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Project Kindle, One Heartland, and the UCLA AIDS Institute. South Glens Falls High School’s dance marathon SHMD has raised over 6.3 million dollars over the past 40 years, and donates the money to those who need it in their communities along with organizations. They raised $823,000 in 2017. Stanford's Dance Marathon benefits primarily Partners in Health and FACE AIDS, and they also choose a local beneficiary each year. UDance Marathon at the University of Delaware has raised over 3.4 million in 8 years for the B Positive Foundation, and holds its 12-hour event every March. Most recently, in March 2016, UDance efforts raised $1,701,667 for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.[25]

Other colleges that have dance marathons include: West Virginia University,[26] Syracuse University, Hope College,[27] Elon University, University of Georgia, The Ohio State University,[28] University of Louisville, University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, University of Kentucky, University of Southern California, Indiana University, University of Central Florida,[29] Florida State University, University of Alabama, Auburn University, Rutgers University, Stanford University, Bowling Green State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Connecticut, Washington University in St. Louis, UCLA, University of Maryland,[30] University of North Carolina, Louisiana State University, North Carolina State University, Wake Forest University, Ball State University, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, University of Michigan, Purdue University, University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of Utah, University of Missouri, Clemson University, University of South Carolina, Temple University, Vanderbilt University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, SUNY New Paltz, Indiana State University, and DePaul University.[31]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kemp, Bill (2016-03-13). "Dance marathons, walkathons once talk of the town". The Pantagraph. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
  2. ↑ Camus, Renee. "Dance Marathons", U.S.A. Twenties, Grolier, 2004 ISBN 0-7172-6019-4, 2005 paperback ISBN 0-7172-6013-5
  3. ↑ Calabria, Frank M. (1993-01-01). Dance of the sleepwalkers: the dance marathon fad. Popular Press. ISBN 9780879725709. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
  4. ↑ Carol J. Martin, Dance marathons: performing American culture of the 1920s and 1930s. Univ. Press of Mississippi, 1994, ISBN 0878057013. 1994. ISBN 9781604737684. Retrieved 2010-01-24. templatestyles stripmarker in |publisher= at position 35 (help)
  5. ↑ Sonny Watson. "Dance Marathons - aka Continuos Motion Derbies and Pageants of fatique Main1". Streetswing.com. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Solis, Kimberly (2008-12-29). "Dance Marathons". Dance.lovetoknow.com. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  7. 1 2 3 “Dance Marathon” Sonny Watson’s StreetSwing.com. January 1, 2013. Accessed April 8,2015.
  8. ↑ Farrel, James. "The dance marathons." Melus 18, no. 1 (Spring93 1993): 133. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed March 22, 2015).
  9. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/aug/04/bop-till-you-drop-americas-dance-marathons-no-miracles-here-edinburgh-festival
  10. ↑ "10 Fads That Killed People - CraveOnline". Mandatory.com. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  11. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-07-31. Retrieved 2014-06-23.
  12. ↑ Hurst, David (2009-02-22). "PSU gives back with THON". The Altoona Mirror. Altoona Mirror. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  13. ↑ McCormack, Lauren (2009-02-02). "Penn State's THON a charitable tradition". The Daily Local News. Daily Local News. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  14. ↑ "THON 2014 Total Breaks Previous Record Again". 23 February 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  15. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-10-09. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  17. ↑ http://www.iudm.org/history/
  18. ↑ "UI Dance Marathon raises more than $3 million for Children's Hospital, another record event". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  19. ↑ "For the kids, to the tune of $2.2 million". Iowa Now. 2015-11-12. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  20. ↑ Miller, Vanessa. "University of Iowa Dance Marathon creates first student-funded faculty chair | The Gazette". The Gazette. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  21. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  22. ↑ http://www.pudm.org/about/
  23. ↑ "Dance Marathon at FSU raises more than $2 million for Children's Miracle Network". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  24. ↑ "UDance on Twitter: "We have raised $1,701,667.81 For Our Heroes! #UDance2016 "". Twitter. 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  25. ↑ "Home". MountaineerThon. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  26. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
  27. ↑ "BuckeyeThon at The Ohio State University". Buckeyethon.osu.edu. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  28. ↑ =http://www.getinvolveducf.com/knight-thon/
  29. ↑ "Terp Thon". Terp Thon. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  30. ↑ "HighlanderThon". HighlanderThon. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
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