The Law of the Dance | |||
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Dancing and drinking may not occur at the same establishment.
One may be jailed for wearing a hat while dancing, or even for wearing a hat to a function where dancing is taking place.
Daylight must be visible between partners on a dance floor.
Zoot suits are prohibited.
Why does this law exist: This law dates back to the 30's and 40's, especially during WWII. Back then good fabric was scarce thanks to the war effort, and zoot suits, with their immense use of unnecessary fabric, were seen as unpatriotic. The suit was primarily worn by hispanics, known as Pachucos(hence the swing song "Hey Pachuco") and white boys thought that being unpatriotic served as a good enough reason to beat up a few mexicans. Thus the song "Zoot Suit Riot." The City of LA, in an attempt to quell the rioting, banned zoot suits.
Title 52 - Amusements and Athletic Contests
CHAPTER 13.
DANCE HALLS
SECTION 52-13-10. Operation on Sunday forbidden.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep open or admit persons to any public dancing hall owned or operated by him or to allow any person to continue thereat between the hours of twelve o'clock, midnight, Saturday and twelve o'clock, midnight, Sunday, and all such places shall be and remain closed to the public between such hours. The violation of the provisions of this section shall subject the offender to a fine of not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars for the first offense and for the second offense not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days.
SECTION 52-13-20. Location near churches and cemeteries forbidden.
It shall be unlawful to operate or maintain outside the limits of any incorporated town or city within the State a dance hall within one fourth of a mile of a rural church with an active congregation or a rural cemetery that is either maintained as a cemetery or has been used for the burial of the dead within five years previous to the operation or maintenance of such dance hall. Every operation or maintenance of a dance hall within a period of twenty-four hours shall be considered a separate and distinct offense if in violation of this section.
SECTION 52-13-30. Counties not included in provisions of SECTION 52-13-20.
Notwithstanding the provisions of SECTION 52-13-20, in Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Darlington, Florence, Georgetown, Jasper, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Sumter Counties the governing body of the county may, in its discretion, grant and revoke licenses for the operation and maintenance of dance halls at any location within the county outside the limits of any incorporated town or city and fix license fees for such businesses not to exceed ten dollars per annum for each such business. It shall be unlawful to operate or maintain outside the limits of any incorporated town or city within any such county a dance hall without first procuring the issuance of such license from the governing body of the county.
SECTION 52-13-40. Violations.
Any violation of the provisions of this article other than SECTION 52-13-10 shall be punishable for the first offense by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars nor less than twenty-five dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days and for a subsequent offense by a fine of not less than seventy-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not less than twenty-five days nor more than thirty days.
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