Events:
A master of ceremonies called out the dance figures, similar to
today’s square dance caller. The customers were
required to “stand drinks” for himself and his
partner, so at the end of each song, the MC ordered everyone to
“waltz up to the bar.” Apples were
popular bar food between drinks.*
Since sex was a taboo subject in Victorian Victoria, how the couples
transitioned from dancing to more private affairs is not explicitly
known. Dr. Evans court case testimony implies more
clandestine activity when he states that that he “saw white
men and Indian women come out of the house and go round the building
and under the house”.*
The public also recognized dance houses as being places of
“prostitution and kindred vices”.*
