FEMININE stag line gets once-over from one. of heavily-outnumbered males: Boys are always sure of partners, but girls take it infun-knowing-that each will have her turn.
THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1951.
IMMENSE size of armoury is shown in this view as floor is cleared for show, Regulars chosen as Junior hosts help sponsors keep order, also make newcomers feel at home.
Philadelphia teen crowd cuts loose on armoury floor in weckly whingding tailored to their wanft and finances: They have activity while keeping out of
trouble.
SATURDAY NIGHT HOP
DAT
shall we go?"-gets only one answer from the Philadelphia teen-age crowd. "To the armoury, natch." Saturday nights the drill hall is a king-sized clubhouse specially for the younger group, with all the gang there, a teen talent show, eats, a live band, and best of all, a dance floor big enough for a parade -all scaled to a high-school-sized wallet.
ATENIGHT, and the big-question-"Where
The alarming rise of juvenile crime and motor accl- dents indicates what happens too often when young people are left to And their own excitement. The
Saturday night hop is Philadelphia's answer to the problem, and it's a howling success. It cuts out the expense, the crowded and often unwholesome con- ditions of night spots and juke joints, and gives teen-agers a place to have their own kind of fun. Daddy of the Saturday hop, and still the main- spring of its works, is genial Poul Whiteman, who started the weekly do for his neighbours in Lambert- viile, N. J., with the backing of local civic groups. The enthusiastic response of the kids soon moved the shindig into nearby Philadelphia's armoury, giving
a break to hundreds more footloose teen-agers,
Added attraction is the telechating of the amateur show which brightens the evening's
enter- tainment. Auditions are held a week ahead, and the most promising acts chosen for actual performance. Since the talent is all local, young stars have the encouragement of their pals, as well as the incentive of airing their talents to a much larger audience. The telecast also invites thousands more teen-agers to join the fun through TV, and may encourage other Saturday night hops.
UITTERBUGGING Qivos energétic teen-agers blenty of opportimity to fit off and to watch friends In amateur
but usually the joint la jumping. Some,
İsteam, and they do in all directione. The kids take time out for redreihinuntų, - Uke young couple in right background, dance to a dreamier music of their own.
··BACK-FLIP by amateur pleases younger performer and
Whiteman. Blackboard l
6 part of atrze backdrop, but atmosphere of Saturday, hon is arrthing but schoolréemuany“