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Fanny
Elssler in her celbrated Spanish dance, the
cachucha. Music Division, New York Public Library
at the Lincoln Center
The White House under Andrew Jackson was simpler
in its customs, ambience and attitudes than it had
been under Adams or Monroe. It was the people’s
house with public receptions that opened its doors
to one and all. At one of President Jackson’s
receptions, the Marine Band played one of the president’s
favorite tunes, "Auld Lang Syne," as his
hungry guests devoured a 1,400 pound "Mammoth
Cheese." In American culture during this decade,
ballet dancers were beginning to capture the attention
of audiences, as well as the interests of presidents
Jackson and Van Buren. A caricature of the popular
ballerina Celeste Keppler, appearing before President
Jackson and his cabinet, also shows Vice-President
Martin van Buren, who later when president invited
the famous Fanny Elssler to the White House. With
her voluptuous hip-swaying dance, known as the cachucha
complete with Spanish castanets, Elssler took all
of Washington by storm at the time. So popular was
the provocative Fanny, that it was decided Congress
would only meet on the days she was not dancing.
Elise
Kirk, Musical Highlights from the White House,
26-27.
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