Whatever happened to...

The older I get the more I think about things that used to be. Things such as automats, drive-in movies, elevator operators have all gone by the wayside. Sometimes in the idle space between a commute to Philly and back to Quakertown the snapshots play in my mind traveling along the macadam. In fact, the PBS TV affiliate in Philadelphia, WHYY TV 12 has an ongoing program called ‘Things that aren’t there any more’. For as little I watch TV down to about 2 hours a week – and that’s a good week, I do enjoy this program when it occasionally cross’s the small screen. A few Fridays ago, the station I hold post held its ‘inaugural’ dance. Martini Lounge Radio 1340 in Philadelphia is the city’s standards station. Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Nat King Cole, newer artists singing the classics such as Michael Buble’, Harry Connick and Diana Krall are also featured. When the station started this format back on Labor Day weekend we were overwhelmed with response from listeners who began discovering the classics and are delighted it’s back on the air.

Time and again we were asked to have a station get together, a ‘mixer’ or what’s commonly known as a dance. A dance? We’re a radio station not an entertainment complex. The old adage remains when your customers ask, in this case our listeners, you’d better get to it if it’s within reason. We took time to scope out all the area venues that would be appropriate and landed at the McCall Golf and Country on the city’s outskirts. The former Philadelphia Electric Company owned facility just drips of old money. Mahogany walls, high back leather chairs, crystal drinking glasses, you get the picture. We didn’t set out for this setting when going to plan but the elaborate surroundings made our now past event an even more attractive choice. The last January in Friday, the 25th the dance was held and a sell out crowd of over 300 of our listeners came out. More tried to come but the house could only hold so many, so 300 packed the place and had a grand time.

It got me to thinking. About a lot of things but one that stands out is whatever happened to the ‘supper club’? Younger readers take note. The supper club to use one of today’s expressions was ‘all that and more’. Those attending our debut affair had a grand time throwing names out of places long gone such as Weber’s Hofbrau, Cinelli’s, The Latin Casino and of course the famous Palumbo’s. Back in the day when people went out, they went all out. Men wore suits, not jeans that looked way to big, young women wore a dress, not hip huggers and a half shirt. Jewelry was elegant and understated, not tacky and over done. A date was arranged in advance and usually involved dinner and a show with a live orchestra or stage program. It was customary for couples to meet at the aforementioned supper clubs to dine and dance the night away. Supper clubs are long past. Once in a while you’ll stumble upon the struggling cabaret setting offering dinner, drinks and a show. But these are far, far and few between. Interestingly enough the event at McCall’s a few Fridays ago showed a lot of us that the spirit of the supper club is alive and well. I recently saw some old pictures of my folks, mom and dad were photographed at Weber’s Hofbrau, apparently a hot spot in Jersey, just over the bridges from Philly. My parents and my Aunt and Uncle were having at it enjoying dinner and dancing and its always a picture I enjoy.

Happier, simpler times. America’s age of innocence. Pre-ipod, pre ‘mosh pits’ at concerts ( if you don’t know what that is ask someone under 30 and make sure you’re seated before they deliver their answer ). The idea of sensuality was provocative and mysterious not scantily clad, loud and obnoxious. Our technology has greatly improved since the age that was. Our culture, behavior and social scene, in that area we’ve greatly declined. Our kids won’t know a lifestyle that afforded fun and good times without the line of bad taste being crossed. My generation saw the bitter end of supper clubs. The Cabaret was big when I had less grey hair. Not bad scenes to hang out but not nearly as classy or elegant as supper clubs. The Trocadero, Chestnut and Ardmore Cabaret featured up and coming acts amidst a more ornate but basically bar setting. Dress codes were less the focus, traveling in pairs became traveling in groups and we began losing the art of dating. This all lead to the idea that we’d fine someone special but rarely if ever did that happen. This format of entertainment eventually died and don’t even ask me what today’s generation does for fun, bar hopping, clubbing seems to be the norm.

The supper club, a piece of Americana clearly with at least those north of 40, still very much en vogue. Would it work today? Too many experts say no. A scant few remain, almost exclusively in big cities such as New York, Chicago and there is a place in Philly called ‘The Five Spot’ where memories of such places live. If you’re a young man looking for some dating ideas, get out of the ‘box’. Dress nicely, buy some flowers and take your date to dinner followed up by a dance with a live orchestra if possible. You’ll take her breath away. You might even score some points with her folks. That never hurts. See ‘ya around town.