Point Of Order

From Kappie Kappenman

Mrs. Manning Smith (Nita)

April 26, 1917 – March 13, 2008

Submitted by her daughter, Sherry Smith Frisk

Round and Square Dancers have recently lost a pioneer in the dance movement. Nita Smith, age 90, wife of the late Manning Smith, passed away on March 13, 2008 in College Station, Texas. Known for their winning smiles and wonderful way with people, the Smiths danced and taught across the entire country for 35 years. They were legends in their time and lived their philosophy: “Dance happily – dance from the heart!”

Married in 1939, Nita and Manning began their dancing career in 1945. For eight years they studied in Colorado with Dr. Lloyd “Pappy” Shaw, who helped make square dancing popular in the United States. Manning traveled as a professional square dance caller for six years and recorded a singing all on the Columbia label with the Rhythm Outlaws. The Smiths became avid round dancers. They choreographed many dances, two of which are still on the Round Dance Classics List – “Tango Mannita” and “Mannita Waltz”.

�gTango Mannita” was voted a Roundalab “Goldlen Classic” in 2003. The dance itself was written in Seattle, Washington. Manning and Nita were there for a seminar on rounds and staying with Wayne and Georgia Puckett, round dance leaders in the Northwest. Georgia knew that Manning had several “tango routines” he had arranged, but had never presented. Georgia made it very clear that Manning could not come out of their recreation room until “Tango Mannita” was finished. Manning, being the gentleman he was, complied and “Tango Mannita” became an instant success in the area, as well as everywhere in the round dance community.

Manning and Nita were also well known for their dance exhibitions, especially “Lady of Spain” and “Rosie O’Grady”. They taught at festivals and workshops throughout the U. S. and Canada and were sent to Europe and Turkey by U. S. Air Force Special Services in 1958 and 1961 to teach round dancing to Air Force personnel stationed there.

As well as traveling throughout the world, Manning and Nita initiated the Manning Smith Conference and Round Dance Clinic for teachers at Texas A&M University in 1950. It continued there and in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for 30 years. The Smiths were a true inspiration to teachers all over the world and were always a source of encouragement and help.

During these years the Smiths also started a business, “Fashions by Nita Smith”. They manufactured bouffant petticoats, pantalettes, and custom-made dance costumes. Among square and round dancers, the business was referred to as the “Neiman Marcus of the Round Dance World,” and Nita’s dress designs were seen on dance floors worldwide. She was often in demand for sewing panels and style shows at national conventions and loved sharing her expertise.

Manning and Nita Smith were inducted into the Square and Round Dance Hall of Fame in 1971. They were also charter members of ROUNDALAB, the International Association of Round Dancer Teachers, and were honored in 1987 with the first Silver Halo Award for their many years of service. The following words of thanks, written by Nita after receiving the award, summed up the couple’s feelings about their lives as Round Dance teachers: ”Manning and I have known for many years how fortunate we have been to be able to dance through life, meeting lovely people from all over the world. Our lives have been enriched beyond our wildest dreams by all of you. Thank you and God bless you all.”

In a talk presented to ROUNDALAB in 1996 at the age of 79, Nita spoke about the history of Round Dancing and about the career-long approach she and Manning followed: “Teach and dance with a happy face, use a toe-tapping piece of music and remember that it is the people who are important, not necessarily the dance!” This is the Manning and Nita Smith legacy…