Iowa's biggest city may legalize late-night dance

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DES MOINES, Iowa – Dancing the night away in Des Moines doesn't seem to be at the top of many must-do lists. Maybe because it's illegal.
An obscure city ordinance outlaws publicly shaking your groove thing in Iowa's biggest city after 2 a.m.
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. They were told no-go on the tango.
"It's a silly law that shouldn't exist and the law shows we aren't keeping up with the times," said Zachary Mannheimer, executive director of the club, which is made up largely of artists.
Officials and boosters in the city of 200,000 who have fought for years to liven up Des Moines' sleepy image agree the ordinance should be repealed. A proposal to do just that was tentatively approved by the City Council on Monday, though a final decision won't come until mid-August.
"It's an antiquated ordinance that doesn't help anybody," said Matt McIver, artistic director of the social club, adding that he was elated with the council's decision.
The ordinance, which dates to at least 1942, bans public dancing between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Residents must suppress the urge to Macarena in public until 8 a.m. on Sunday.
Any dance within the city that can be attended by the public, whether or not they're paying, is subject to the....