SAD PEOPLE FROM HISTORY DANCING SOMEWHAT ALONE

A DigitalNZ Story by Hera Lindsay Bird

This set combines three of my major interests, which are sad people, history, and dancing "in the club". I always think of archives as being sites of preservation for our most defining cultural moments, but while putting together these sets I was reminded that history is basically a haunted junkyard full of boredom, persistent facial eczema and road safety contests for local teens.

Image: 'Disc jockey' & equipment on stage, Electricity Exhibition 1972

'Disc jockey' & equipment on stage, Electricity Exhibition 1972

Kete Horowhenua

Image: Teenage Dance [P1-1696-4086]

Teenage Dance [P1-1696-4086]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Dancer, La Meri

Dancer, La Meri

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Maori - Music and dancing, Maori Community Centre

Maori - Music and dancing, Maori Community Centre

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Teenage Dance [P1-1705-4095]

Teenage Dance [P1-1705-4095]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Teenage Dance [P1-1718-4108]

Teenage Dance [P1-1718-4108]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Bob Easton and Hera Cook participating in a dance marathon

Bob Easton and Hera Cook participating in a dance marathon

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Teenage Dance [P1-1721-4111]

Teenage Dance [P1-1721-4111]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Sir Paul Reeves at the Blue Light Disco, Newlands, Wellington - Photograph taken by Greg King

Sir Paul Reeves at the Blue Light Disco, Newlands, Wellington - Photograph taken by Greg King

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Teenage Dance [P1-1715-4105]

Teenage Dance [P1-1715-4105]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Rugby gym; last dance. [P1-8627-11017]

Rugby gym; last dance. [P1-8627-11017]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Teenage Dance [P1-1708-4098]

Teenage Dance [P1-1708-4098]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Young men and women rock and roll dancing

Young men and women rock and roll dancing

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Teenage dance; young women. [P3-435-1664]

Teenage dance; young women. [P3-435-1664]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Rugby gym; last dance. [P1-8642-11032]

Rugby gym; last dance. [P1-8642-11032]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Fancy Dress Youth Dance St John's Hall; Christine Cathro's winning costume.

Fancy Dress Youth Dance St John's Hall; Christine Cathro's winning costume.

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Rugby gym; last dance. [P1-8625-11015]

Rugby gym; last dance. [P1-8625-11015]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Fancy Dress Youth Dance St John's Hall. Michael Hammington (?) and friend. [P3-271-1348]

Fancy Dress Youth Dance St John's Hall. Michael Hammington (?) and friend. [P3-271-1348]

Upper Hutt City Library

Image: Rugby gym; last dance. [P1-8641-11031]

Rugby gym; last dance. [P1-8641-11031]

Upper Hutt City Library

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