2 3 Throwback Thursday Dancing Law | Ballet Webb

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Throwback Thursday Dancing Law



Throwback Thursday Dancing Law

It sounds like one of those odd, old laws that are no longer on the books – like it being illegal to allow a donkey to sleep in a bathtub in Arizona  – but this one is only now being repealed.

It’s called the Cabaret Law, and it was started under Mayor Jimmy Walker in 1926, intended to make it easier for police to enforce the rules of Prohibition. This law states that any establishment that wishes to allow dancing must apply for this special license. Actually getting it is difficult, and today only about 127 clubs (out of over 12,000) have the license.

A 1987 article in the New York Times stated the law was meant to ensure fire safety, enforce occupancy limits and patrol the moral character of club owners. It wasn’t until 1986 that the “three musicians rule” and the restrictions on jazz instruments were removed from the Cabaret Law.

Only recently, in 2018, did Mayor de Blasio sign legislation to finally repeal the Cabaret Law.


From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Dance History Factoid #126:
“The strange dancing law of New York City….”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“Writing laws is easy, but governing is difficult.”
― Leo TolstoyWar and Peace

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