Tea Dance, Happy Hour

tea dance –noun, a dance held at teatime.
Origin: 1880–85

tea dance — noun, a dance held in the afternoon at which tea is served
Used: 1910

"Dancing with the feet is one thing,

but dancing with the heart is another."

A tea dance, or thé dansant (French: literally dancing tea) was an afternoon or early-evening dance. And the function evolved in Europe and the US from the concept of the afternoon tea by the leisure class.

A frequent feature of tea dances was the presence of a live orchestra – often referred to as a palm court orchestra – playing light classical music. The types of dances performed during tea dances included Waltzes, Tangos and, by the late 1920s, The Charleston.

Tea dances are a common cultural reference in early 20th century fiction as a staple of genteel society, where people normally attend these receptions while visiting resort towns.

In the United States, the term has been broadened to refer to any casual afternoon dance event. In Hawaii it is yet to be properly defined for us, the social dancer, that is, in the 21st century.

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And as silently steal away.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,

Happy Hour is a marketing term for a period of time in which a restaurant or bar offers discounts on alcoholic drinks, such as beer, wine, and cocktails giving the office worker a time to unwind. Typically, it is in the late afternoon Monday through Thursday, for the office working class, usually taking place at some period between 5 PM and 8 PM.

This promotion is intended to boost business on what may otherwise be a slow day. In most cases the "happy hour" lasts longer than a single hour. The term Happy Hour also is commonly used to describe the gathering of work colleagues at a restaurant or bar after work hours, possibly over the period of 5 PM and 8 PM.

"I May Be Wrong" By Music Unlimited

The specifics usually differ from country to country. In some European countries like the Netherlands, the price of an alcoholic drink is regulated, and selling them at half price is prohibited. During happy hour, a customer gets double the amount of drinks instead.

In Italy, a customer often pays the same price or even more for the drink but is offered free fingerfoods. In the United States it typically entails finger foods and discounted drinks. They never ask for a cover charge.

Happy Hour can also be referred to as the period prior to dinner, where appetizers and drinks are served at one's home.

"Sh-Boom, (Life Could Be A Dream)" by the Chordettes.

The New Tea Dance in Honolulu will be the perfect answer to a lot of dancer agendas. A Tea Dance, Monday through Thursday, from 5 to 8 pm - a Happy Hour with less drinking and more dancing. Same prices, small cover charge and finger food offered or special foods offered for purchase.

The biggest users would be the office worker/dancers that do not live in Honolulu. An opportunity to relax, unwind, eat, dance and socialize, once or twice a week. They could enjoy a few pleasant hours after work, then get on a relatively clear freeway going home. Talk about perfection!