Bunny Hug Dance

         It is said that the Bunny Hug originated in San Francisco at the "Fairmont Hotel" in 1911 along with the Texas Tommy, Turkey Trot and Grizzly Bear. Dr. Adams, who wrote 'The Social Dance' book states: 'The Bunny Hug is danced in imitation of the sex relations between male and female rabbits.' However, his book was pretty much "Antidance". The dance was a pretty steamy grinding, shaking and wiggling dance for the day and was usually danced to real slow blues, but could be done fast as well. The Bunny Hug caused a lot of uproar in polite society which created a lot of press coverage for these type of dances.

     Noble Sissle has been quoted as saying that W.C. Handy's "Memphis Blues " song inspired Vernon Castle to create the dance when he heard James Reese Europe play the Memphis blues and Castle liked the rhythm. Sissle went on to say that Castle later renamed the 'Bunny Hug' the 'Fox-trot.' (This is highly unlikely, see fox-trot!)

1938 - Stage magazine, repeated an earlier statement:
          "We hear the Two-step and an outrageously indecent display called the Bunny Hug are gaining favor with the younger element. Let them watch their steps, these young sensationalists. The time will come when they will tire of this eternal jogging and jerking, and find more surcease in the grace and restful beauty of the Valse".

    On March 27th, 1913 Mr. Ed Spence of Grants Pass, Oreagon was knifed 11 times while trying to enforce a rule at his club 'Holland' that no animal dances allowed, He caught a couple doing the Bunny Hug and had an arguement over it. (...Hugh Wetshoe)

    In 1914, Germany introduced a dance entitled "The Rabbit Dance" which was said to be just like the American Bunny Hug.