Des Moines May Legalize Late-Night Dance

Dancing the night away in Iowa's largest city doesn't seem to be at the top of many must-do lists. After all, it's illegal.

But that likely will change. The Des Moines City Council on Monday tentatively agreed to repeal an obscure city ordinance that outlaws public dancing in the city after 2 a.m. A final decision won't come until mid-August.

The ordinance dates to at least 1942. It bans public dancing between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday and until 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Few even were aware of the ban until members of the nonprofit Des Moines Social Club sought to hold an after-hours dance at their downtown building.

On Monday, social club members said they were elated with the council's decision.