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There is not much written on the Peabody. The Peabody was named after William Frank Peabody (born ?1878?), a controversial N.Y. Police Lieutenant (some say Fireman) who loved to dance around 1915, shortly after the invention of the Fox-Trot. The Peabody was basically a unique, jaunty type fast fox-trot, done to ragtime music. It is based more around a dance position (called the "English") which lead to some unique steps or patterns.
The dance position (the English) comes from the need by Peabody's huge size (girth) to hold his partner on his right side to accommodate his size. The One Step and Peabody went on to become the (modern) Quick-step with a splash of Charleston thrown in. The Quickstep bears very little resemblance to the dance of the Peabody today, however some of the steps remain the same. |
| The Peabody is kinda a corny little ragtime dance, that is lively and fun spirited to watch and looks like the participants are having a good time doing it. The music is ragtime (50mpm+) and so is the dress. (Suits and Bowler derby's for the man and long full dresses for the lady.)
The basic step is a Cross-step and Lock step (1920) and the body position is that of "Right-Outside Position" (almost a promenade?). The traveling speed around the floor is quite brisk with the leader changing sides (from right side to left and back again) as he travels around the floor and some slight dipping motions here and there, similar to the rolling of a wave.
On April 21st., 1934 at the Casa Del Rey Nightclub, there was a huge Peabody Contest. The T.V. Show "Dance Fever" had a couple of dancers dance the Peabody in the 1980's. In the Video clip, Jackie Gleason does the Peabody dance. |
Birth Place |
Creation Date |
Creator |
Dance Type |
| New York |
1915 |
William Frank Peabody |
Ballroom |
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Posters, Lobby Cards etc. |
Sheet Music Covers |
Music Titles |
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1857 - Peabody Polka (Not Related) |
By The Beautiful Sea |
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1857 - Peabody Schottische (Not Related) |
With All My Heart |
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1869 - Peabody's Funeral March (Not Related) |
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1871 - Washington Elm Quickstep (Not Related) |
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Ballets / Stage |
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Dancers, Choreographers etc. |
Political |
| Betty White |
Jackie Geason |
Gould / Clemmons |
| George Burns and Little Rose Cohen |
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| ? Katherine Clemmons ? (supposed partner of Frank) |
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| William Frank Peabody |
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Books, Magazine Articles on the dance... |
| Title |
Author |
Date Published |
Publisher |
| Complete Book Of Ballroom Dancing |
Stephenson |
1980 |
Doubleday |
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Musicians |
Bands |
Singers |
Poets / Writers |
| George Peabody, ESQ. |
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Misc. Research Words that may be related ... to help your searches |
| Ragtime |
Flapper |
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| Hip Flask |
Derby's |
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| Jazz |
WWI |
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| Francis Peabody (song "Wash elm" was dedicated to her) |
Other... |
| Basic
Steps:
4/4 (leaders part below starts left foot, followers are reverse)
the count: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (all quick's)
Fwd. - Fwd. - Side - Back (turning to right),
Back - Back - Side - Forward (turning to right), then repeat.
Partner is kept to one side, almost a promenade position except partner
faces partner, alongside. The steps are basically walking quickly to each beat with
a jaunty sway side to side on each step i.e.:
1 sway/step left, 2 sway/step right etc. |
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Burlesque 
