We products of the Depression and World War II, learned at a very young age that everything we did needed to be in support those “over there”. Nothing was more important than winning the battle against tyranny. Unfortunately, it seems that this is a battle that is never completely won.

During WWII, governments around the world were intent on keeping those who were stoking the home fires in a positive frame of mind, and they encouraged their citizens to engage in recreational activities. Dancing and music were big-time entertainment during the period and everyone was encouraged to ‘get into the swing’ and support the boys fighting in the war. A government/entertainment partnership in the United States got actors and musicians into the wartime act with the Hollywood War Activities Committee. It was a way for governments to win the hearts and minds and ongoing support for the war effort.  

Post-Depression-era governments did not like debt. Instead of today’s approach of papering the moon and everything else with borrowed money, the deep thinkers behind the scenes were both frugal and subtle, encouraging Hollywood to make light musical comedies and movies with plenty of fun and dancing. The Big Band Sound hit full stride during World War II, with orchestras like Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey and a host of others, owning the dance halls and the nightly radio airwaves.

We were fortunate to have a dance pavilion in a park setting in Gimli. In July and August, bands played three nights a week. For a small admission fee, you could go inside, listen and dance. Or sit outside on the grass, swat mosquitoes and enjoy the music. The Winnipeg Beach Pavilion, built by the CPR just down the road from Gimli, was also one of our favourite haunts. It was the largest dance floor in Western Canada and the site of many great parties and events over the years. (I have written about this in a previous story).

To celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary, Eve-Anne and I decided to venture out to see and hear The Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Centennial Concert Hall. Talk about a trip down memory lane. The old memories flooded back with each melody. I was back in my carefree summer days, sitting on the grass outside the Pavilion listening to the big sound and all the people dancing. What an experience.

Ken Kristjanson
April 2022