Historical photos from the 1940s to the ’80s show off Mainers dancing
When the music is right, Mainers have always known what to do: Dance.
We’ve been doing it for generations, and these six photos, dating from the 1940s through the late ’80s, capture Mainers cutting loose, stepping out and doing their thing.
Does dancing solve any real problems? Probably not. But does it make life a little better? Absolutely.
These historic photos prove at least one thing: Dancing is always fun, and sometimes a little fun is exactly what we need.
In this photo in the Portland Press Herald on July 3, 1949, Deering High School TLX Clubbers Anna McCuin, left, and Sylvia Christy dance while Betty Tuck, a 1948 graduate of the Stevens Avenue school, plays records. The three young women were at a resort at Pine Point Beach in Scarborough. (Photo courtesy of Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
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In this photo in the Portland Press Herald on April 5, 1961, children in the Cherry Street neighborhood of Portland were treated to an afternoon street dance, compliments of Mrs. Howard Foss of 1 Cherry St. (Photo by John Olson, courtesy of Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
This photo that ran in the Maine Sunday Telegram on Aug. 18, 1963, shows young people having a fantastic time doing “The Twist,” “The Mashed Potato” and other dances. (Photo courtesy of Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
Another photo in the Maine Sunday Telegram on Aug. 18, 1963, shows young dancers cutting a rug. (Photo courtesy of Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
A photo in the Maine Sunday Telegram on Aug. 5, 1979, shows Mike Matoin and Brenda Frost dancing the night away. (Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer, courtesy of Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
A photo in the Evening Express on April 28, 1998, shows dancers at Zootz at 31 Forest Ave. in Portland. Zootz was a live music venue and dance club from 1987-2001, and was owned by Kris Clark. (David MacDonald/Staff Photographer, courtesy of Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives)
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Tagged: Throwback photo
Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town. More by Aimsel Ponti
