TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1961)

as on a Virginia university campus. At proms, the West Coast folksingers do not play requests. This is not out of rudeness, but for professional esthetic reasons. However, they point out that, in most cases, a dance band is happy to comply with requests for certain tunes. "But don't go to the bandstand," Bob Shane warns, "and shout, 'Hey, you. Play "I Could Have Danced All Night"!' There is a simple and dignified way of making a request. Just go over quietly to the bandleader and say, 'Mr. Elgart' — or whatever the bandleader's name is — 'could you please play "I Could Have Danced All Night"?' Chances are he'll be happy to play it." Whether a top U.S. band, local jazz combo or the Kingston Trio entertain, the function's meaning is the same. Proms mark a high point in school social life and a coming-of-age for young people. They are an old American custom. "Prom," of course, comes from the word "promenade" — in the sense of a fancy ball or dance. From the start, these have been considered exciting, romantic, memory-filled events, graced by soft lights and music. They still are. "Many college students get married right after the prom," says happily -wed Bob Shane. Today, going to a prom is relatively inexpensive. For a high-school student, it may be five dollars a person, while a college prom may be five to ten dollars a person. Years ago, they were only for the well-born and rich. However, though tickets are now relatively inexpensive, the prom itself is getting more complex. Right after the dance, for instance, the big question is: "What'll we do now?" The Kingston Trio's Dave Guard advises that, when the band strikes up the traditional farewell strains of "Auld Lang Syne," this shouldn't be a signal for wild carousing, high-speed drives to suburban roadhouses. A good idea is to have a late snack or early break fast at someone's home. Some may prefer a quiet hamburger at a drive-in. Some may prefer more substantial refreshments at an all-night restaurant. Whatever the post-prom dance activity may be, self-discipline should be accented. "Moderation," he says, "should be the keynote." Should teenagers go to a night club? This is rapidly becoming a point of contention, since many night clubs are now featuring top teen record and TV stars. To Dave Guard, there's "nothing particularly wrong in post-dance nightclubbing, even for high-school grads, providing they're prepared to behave as adults. Teenagers at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles, and other places where they have come to see us, have been well behaved — and great to us! "It's a responsibility which teenagers should assume only if they're prepared for it. And, of course, if the law allows it. Reputable night clubs know how to handle teenagers, and waiters can usually spot youngsters if they are underage, and won't serve them liquor. "Those who are really too young should try to have a quiet home party, or a snack with friends. If youngsters are really under-age and they walk into clubs with dates, and sit all evening nursing a Coke apiece, the waiters are justified in sounding an air-raid alert to get them out into the open." About drinking, the Kingston Trio — to a man — insist that it's "silly" to get drunk in the mistaken notion that this is adult behavior. So far as imbibing goes, Bob Shane suggests: "Drink only what you would at home. Drink moderately, if at all. If you get drunk, you merely spoil what could be a beautiful, sentimental occasion." Lately, there's been the rise of the "all-night prom." These take many forms. Usually, a dinner begins the festivities, followed by a clothes change, the dance itself, a movie, perhaps a moonlight swim, a night-club visit, Watch TRUE STORY on your NBC-affiliated television station on Saturdays See your local paper for time and station. Exciting stories of actual events and people, straight from the files of TRUE STORY Magazine— narrated by Kathi Norris. And don't miss "COURAGE IN KNEE SOCKS," the deeply moving story of children and integration . . . Kathi Norris 64 * * TRUE STORY M~ The Woman's Guide to Better Living Buy Your Copy Today Wherever Magazines Are Sold breakfast at a Rotary Club — or anything else the prom committee can dream up. Sometimes school busses provide the transportation. Sometimes, the students themselves concoct all-night prom activities in which the prom dance is followed by a party at home. Such parties have to be run impeccably, according to Dave Guard. "Such parties have to be wellorganized. No resorting to such tactics as breaking up furniture for laughs or making so much noise that the neighbors call the police! "When a party goes on all night, nobody can object — if the host's or hostess's parents are around to serve the sandwiches and Cokes or lobster thermidor. Smart parents know how to be present at their kids' parties without making themselves too obvious and putting a damper on the fun. Staying up all night on special occasions is just a natural part of the process of growing up." As a bright footnote, it might be worth noting that today's young people are not addicted to "mad sprees" on prom night. The Eugene Gilbert Youth Research group recently reported, in a spot check, that only thirteen percent of the teenagers queried wanted to "have a wild time." Most said that they wanted to have a good time, but also "to mind their manners and watch their conduct." Good conduct implies a sense of responsibility. Which brings up the electronic device that binds together young America, the telephone — a good instrument to remember on prom night. The Kingston Trio's Bob Shane suggests that wherever "the crowd" goes, after the dance, responsible teenagers should not forget to call home, particularly if they agreed to be home at a certain time and aren't there yet. "If you're late for any reason, phone. Parents are naturally worried if it's late and they don't get a call from the kids. That doesn't mean that the parents are playing Gestapo. It's only normal for parents to get worried if the kids don't check in at a certain time. They might have been in an accident." Informal as sportswear, and wary of regimentation, the former collegians do not want to be killjoys in regard to proms, binding them in with lots of rules and regulations. They believe proms are more fun, if self-discipline is practiced. They contend that parents can help youngsters to acquire greater self-confidence by a degree of trust in their children. And teens can repay this trust by taking care of themselves and their dates. Now some final tips from the trio. Bob: "Just take the prom in your stride, and you'll have a good time." Nick: "Act natural, as if the prom were just another school -gym dance." And from Dave: "Have fun!"