https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings daily 0.75 2026-02-09 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/psyche-guide-how-to-start-learning-dance monthly 0.5 2026-02-09 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/barbenheimer-and-the-dancer monthly 0.5 2025-09-29 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/esther-caster-can-you-feel-it monthly 0.5 2024-08-08 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/dancefilmmakingcom-wants-to-be-the-netflix-of-dance monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/dance-review-lei-lines-by-maria-roca monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/i-claim-kate-bush-for-dance monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/the-top-10-funniest-dance-quotes monthly 0.5 2025-10-13 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/what-carol-burnett-taught-me monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/day-367-today-in-dance monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/dancers-always-die-twice monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/power-of-dream-ballet monthly 0.5 2025-09-26 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/category/Dance+Musicals monthly 0.5 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/category/dance monthly 0.5 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/musings/category/musicals monthly 0.5 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/dancers-lost daily 0.75 2026-01-03 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/dancers-lost/2025 monthly 0.5 2026-01-03 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/dancers-lost/2024 monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/dancers-lost/2023 monthly 0.5 2025-09-18 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/dancers-lost/2022 monthly 0.5 2025-09-18 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/dancers-lost/2021 monthly 0.5 2025-09-18 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/dancers-lost/2020 monthly 0.5 2025-09-18 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/home-1 daily 1.0 2025-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1633111009203-P0H0JP91QYEEIPYEZS9H/jopilates.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1602521793059-6P930M0IT3NPSD0VRT7N/Dance+Appreciation+Book+2021.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593568216829-SE3TT05FZ38MHCCO9O6R/IMG-0975.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1584132622630-QPYESN2SKMTCPZYX5932/IMG_2104.jpg Home - Dawn Davis Loring Dawn Davis Loring published her first book, Dance Appreciation (Human Kinetics), co-written with Julie L. Pentz, in January 2021 and created the ancillary materials for Dance Cultures Around the World (2023). She looks forward to the publication of her chapter in Pandemic Motherhood (2025), published by Routledge. She manages the Today in Dance, Dancers Lost, and Dance Month projects, all housed on this website, and has written about dance since 1998. Dawn has published articles and reviews in The Boston Globe, The Dancing Times magazine (UK), the Austin Chronicle, the Journal of Dance Education (JODE), and the National Dance Society Journal, and she directed the dance/theatre company, Mosaic Dance Body (MDB), for over 10 years. Her choreography has been described as "goofy, pointed political theatre" by the Boston Globe, and by the Austin American-Statesman as “fresh and clever with a sarcastic wit” and MDB as a company that is “not afraid to take themselves a little less seriously to achieve some big laughs”. She has taught dance for over 20 years to adults, youth, and children in situations raging from university technique, live and online dance lecture courses, and K-12 in-school and studio classes. Most recently, Dawn taught Dance Appreciation and World Dance at Austin Community College. As an administrator, she served as the Marketing & Events Officer for the Step into Dance program at the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) in London, held the position of Executive Director for the San Antonio Dance Umbrella, and managed the dance programs for private schools. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/mentions daily 0.75 2021-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1585871727633-XIE1WH5A9O6NX7IREMBJ/Screen+Shot+2020-04-02+at+7.53.32+PM.png Mentions This article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on September 22, 2004 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/teaching daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1586459179188-K1U3U70WLC1MJNI98MC7/IMG_4157_1024.jpg Teaching - Everybody has a body and every body can dance. “Open Mind, Insert Dance” - Dawn Davis Loring https://www.dawndavisloring.com/repertory daily 0.75 2020-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1586457990465-C687QOQVLSPKQBZN4UY3/bodies_1a.jpg Repertory - Bodies of Water 2006 A shimmering meditation on the movement of water and water creatures, the quartet invites the viewer to appreciate the underwater environment as a three-dimensional system littered with the activities of human beings. The piece features multimedia representations of the beauty and destructive power of water, created by the choreographer. Selected as a Green Street Studios Space Grant recipient, this piece has been performed at theaters and festivals in Massachusetts and at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden in Austin, TX (2007). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564750530-T9VHC5YCXMZUU9737UAZ/How+to+Choreo_Rep.jpg Repertory - How to Choreograph 1996 Following directions was never more frustrating or fun than in this trippy solo, danced to a tune we all know well (too well). Long considered Dawn Davis Loring's signature solo, this piece has been performed in concerts, choreographer showcases, universities, festivals and fundraisers throughout Colorado, Texas and Massachusetts. In 2009, Dawn reworked the solo into a group piece for her students at Suffolk University in Boston. In 2014, Dawn set the group piece on her students at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1586458334491-U1D3SXVD04DW55O15XZK/schmaltz_ok.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1598984397415-7KF315CMKFU5US7YP2UP/IMG-0570.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1586458363315-GXE705SXDTW2ZRII6D2E/MDB_1.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1586458456168-GQES38MT1BH0DU7058YE/Mosaic.DawnDawnerinCinnIvry.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564634805-UD8X460CICU5GRVIER15/Cheek2Cheek_Rep.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564659018-08KPO4FHLHZL9KQD9DJ2/slip_rep.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564527518-UG8Z1EZLLDE03BWHGOXE/Backwards+Parade_Rep.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564557467-I7D94U12K7SXB0WL9KAC/Breast+Wishes_Rep.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564720563-7WKBHHXW0XZCXMTVL0CT/Mattel_Rep.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1596662817264-ML9E94DTAHDS16TH9HYL/IMG_2632.JPG Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564829494-R784YY67QGEOUVLPBRF2/YellowWP_Rep.jpg Repertory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564850392-5LISGT8KO32C12U5KJ8H/Silent+all+these+years_Rep.jpg Repertory https://www.dawndavisloring.com/pagecv daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564397493-O9KEGSUWTGM3OSUVVL7Z/top%2Bof%2BCV.jpg CV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593563023221-P5BPGS3KY2A92GGWBRFG/education_CV.jpg CV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1586477243748-RZAGHTSDHFIGRHOUJMMQ/IMG_1008adj.jpg CV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593563712308-0BUDDR4Y5JUEFEBIQVED/admin_CV.jpg CV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564247357-VXHI59DQBQKGKPD02KXJ/IMG_5648.jpg CV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593564119563-W3J65COOX8EXR3FVQCC2/continuing+ed_CV.jpg CV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593563852992-9MXIKTAOOPF0GA4NN51D/volunteer_CV.jpg CV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1593563961745-G0VETQGBQBOO8MUKP4H3/grants_CV.jpg CV https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-1 daily 0.75 2025-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1628985207236-8F08F2AZW2N7MAX51SVQ/nuit_obscure-maurice_bejart-mb-203_a6.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/todayindance daily 0.75 2025-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460211127-232WF9RA798L7NXCTJQT/Moira+Shearer.jpg Today in Dance - January https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626459800879-ZTG6ZWVV6123WZHMHE96/Bunny+briggs.jpg Today in Dance - February https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460284079-SWI87X2INZP9DSJSC7Z6/unspecified-7.jpg Today in Dance - March https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460322702-NJAK6BMQIWAF01YWO4NH/Jane+Powell.jpg Today in Dance - April https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460372053-G0NG9K2EX577LQ7W0JFC/unspecified-10.jpg Today in Dance - May https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460398700-QEZPW0KOQ4S5EL875RMB/unspecified-9.jpg Today in Dance - June https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460424286-IQ77IPRF8P7G5H60HUI7/unspecified-7.jpg Today in Dance - July https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460458334-XLGC496KKIDRNA8XKH1I/gene-kelly.jpg Today in Dance - August https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460510820-PYQLWILRJ5X5G7KQEWZP/unspecified-10.jpg Today in Dance - September https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460582580-FAEJKBORAITG6LOUO0NE/unspecified-9.jpg Today in Dance - October https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626460078683-8TX9VXJZASDYOBV2POSY/unspecified-7.jpg Today in Dance - November https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1633112185940-LG4Z2SV8SNNKJZ7EH8VZ/laban.jpg Today in Dance - December https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1633110484535-AR8KLXUJ4TV2EA3ATN0C/Today+in+Dance+square+cross+copy.jpg Today in Dance - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/januarybirthdays daily 0.75 2025-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1625611980706-SMCM5CN93IZILISM2G9W/unspecified-10.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1625612267448-4DHUFOELTSYYZDCN91A0/unspecified-9.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626707600896-X1ZZX20ZAICQNU3GIT2Z/Alison-Chase..jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708045724-O13KMNS5QXNN0DSQDAW9/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 4 Born Today: Craig Revel Horwood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708117653-KL6OUPGZDBP9ODPE6O2H/unspecified-9.jpg January Birthdays - January 5 Born Today: Alvin Ailey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708087137-1LS1UKI06QP6MYHMMJ5J/Alison-Chase..jpg January Birthdays - January 6 Born Today: Michaela DePrince https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708313830-6VBJ263PBN1RDBM1WZTP/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 7 Born Today: Don “Campbellock” Campbell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708458155-HNE4Q95X46ZJ3X8KCSHD/nijinska.jpg January Birthdays - January 8 Born Today: Bronislava Nijinska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708397059-BMSTC7OKY3O71U1R6SVQ/Alison-Chase..jpg January Birthdays - January 9 Born Today: Gypsy Rose Lee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708745592-QRYSTTKSVJ68EMY4U5WO/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 10 Born Today: Ray Bolger https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708720288-5NUT67FT33G7JADAN425/nijinska.jpg January Birthdays - January 11 Born Today: Alyson Reed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626708697755-ZEDYWYTWU65PKQRI6XJC/limon.jpg January Birthdays - January 12 Born Today: José Limón https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626711614016-875B1ZU3XYI8WMAC1F30/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 13 Born Today: Gwen Verdon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626711638763-12NCPX72KEVFBNBGLJZJ/nijinska.jpg January Birthdays - January 14 Born Today: Sun Ock Lee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626711679142-VWA18XB2S8FIC3UKFR7Y/limon.jpg January Birthdays - January 15 Born Today: Loie Fuller https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626711736291-L3ZF0JNAUOSJP2ZQG1L1/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 16 Born Today: Debbie Allen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626711760027-SUFNNX5DSOGCI6XD2XIV/nijinska.jpg January Birthdays - January 17 Born Today: Moira Shearer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1626711783675-LJWNL4BTK623I2GNY2JV/limon.jpg January Birthdays - January 18 Born Today: Danny Kaye https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254327025-DAM7I8E7NGYMHIVSI6SC/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 19 Born Today: Natacha Rambova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254351321-CY9KYV92U7AUZNMTTMCH/nijinska.jpg January Birthdays - January 20 Born Today: Ruth St. Denis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254380737-M1JC9DJXSVYNQ0W70TW7/limon.jpg January Birthdays - January 21 Born Today: Steve Paxton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254411459-EBHUW3LFB2568Z6LFPWK/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 22 Born Today: George Balanchine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627255733463-S44871RN6092NE7KOXG7/nijinska.jpg January Birthdays - January 23 Born Today: Chita Rivera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254440378-K0SUT6V53PVWRON6WZCW/limon.jpg January Birthdays - January 24 Born Today: Maria Tallchief https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254468077-MPWO06YKPQHB4H3MHOGJ/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 25 Born Today: Florence Mills https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254548638-8GDT35LZAXY5Y7WAHRSF/nijinska.jpg January Birthdays - January 26 Born Today: Li Cunxin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254580797-NHWE96D8S0BEMCAAPO1T/limon.jpg January Birthdays - January 27 Born Today: Mikhail Baryshnikov https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254607899-65DDZYNLOIRPYIRMCP5O/unspecified-10.jpg January Birthdays - January 28 Born Today: Rennie Harris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254636143-038VPG6WMK6PSF490614/nijinska.jpg January Birthdays - January 29 Born Today: Josefina Lavalle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627254656585-SCBS02IC87569CB47MEU/limon.jpg January Birthdays - January 30 Born Today: George Skibine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627255446217-5BUA20Q33Z9NPWD0XSVG/unspecified-10.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/marchbirthdays daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310509386-6NVND2SODFCF1OWGABBR/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 1 Born Today: Else Fisher-Bergman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310529730-OM6QP20IDBEFMR8DP5K6/unspecified-9.jpg March Birthdays - March 2 Born Today: Lev Ivanov https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310552396-1JDH9DZQHJV2ITKLYQOW/Alison-Chase..jpg March Birthdays - March 3 Born Today: Hanya Holm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310573542-YP4H9VX599RFMD5RGQKW/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 4 Born Today: Mikko Nissinen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310619818-BECMIS2EMGLCV63D77EI/unspecified-9.jpg March Birthdays - March 5 Born Today: Shura Baryshnikov https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310651922-UAR6JQI21NIJLQV8FZ25/Alison-Chase..jpg March Birthdays - March 6 Born Today: Carmen de Lavallade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310671257-0Y1OQY24NPZR9QVPO4Y7/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 7 Born Today: Janet Collins https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627679163842-KJ7N5WK4WYBTTPOL5TN2/nijinska.jpg March Birthdays - March 8 Born Today: Cyd Charisse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627679229533-S1LDCJZC3D00QGFVF0BW/Alison-Chase..jpg March Birthdays - March 9 Born Today: Tatsumi Hijikata https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627679265567-UZ9RC4N1ZQHSJ6UY4LVC/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 10 Born Today: Tamara Karsavina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627679284673-W4YJ4ONJMMALMO6M0KE8/nijinska.jpg March Birthdays - March 11 Born Today: Marius Petipa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627679311135-RYUZGI8617FXKIJ0EAB3/limon.jpg March Birthdays - March 12 Born Today: Liza Minnelli https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627679338467-KF4RZQKD2ORXGVI3ATTQ/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 13 Born Today: Igor Youskevitch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627680107373-LDHREJXB2XCTKAOU0CNI/nijinska.jpg March Birthdays - March 14 Born Today: Jean Butler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627680125422-3X9BYVU5Z1DQXVFYS8AQ/limon.jpg March Birthdays - March 15 Born Today: Beto Pérez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627683061963-M6MA8JZA4WZJI42IF0HX/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 16 Born Today: Mary Hinkson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627683099316-L1DF1JPNMU8BWTYTFRDD/nijinska.jpg March Birthdays - March 17 Born Today: Rudolf Nureyev https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627683181540-SPGA3RCMCLN4311TK0AR/limon.jpg March Birthdays - March 18 Born Today: Mahmoud Reda https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627683208771-S1DABXN41IYG8X1X1PBK/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 19 Born Today: Louis Johnson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627683229807-X4EK4XUPUYXZ7S741DUK/nijinska.jpg March Birthdays - March 20 Born Today: Luigi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627683246826-1YJWXA854JJHL5IQOWR8/limon.jpg March Birthdays - March 21 Born Today: Jiří Kylián https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627683272650-C54TTDJTNOV2KS1MFDRE/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 22 Born Today: Ruth Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627683292949-JUVDZG74BU5E50U96PCD/nijinska.jpg March Birthdays - March 23 Born Today: Joan Crawford https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627684317262-OKXHLY5FXS5QYF9OV9DJ/Gene%2BNelson_2.jpg March Birthdays - March 24 Born Today: Gene Nelson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627684358889-CINUI2D4R5AP0HS9I3U2/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 25 Born Today: Simone Forti https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627684386705-R1HGQWXXW6TI7JR8B8HU/nijinska.jpg March Birthdays - March 26 Born Today: Roberto Bolle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627684431835-6IU7MXH5K6FLZQP7KBCR/Mr.-Mitchell_Photo-by-Martha-Swope.jpg March Birthdays - March 27 Born Today: Arthur Mitchell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627684554248-O0J8YWM221ELAN678I8L/unspecified-10.jpg March Birthdays - March 28 Born Today: Moses Pendleton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627684520720-XPNBR9X5GRHABI541H8C/Agon-Diana-Adams-Arthur-Mitchell-1016x1024.jpg March Birthdays - March 29 Born Today: Diana Adams https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627684494694-4XRJATJ33MPTX0CW81EE/composite-hammer-aladdin-pants-e1471723774526.jpg March Birthdays - March 30 Born Today: MC Hammer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627684753694-6Y9R53G1AY69GS4C7W6E/maxresdefault.jpg March Birthdays - March 31 Born Today: Christopher Walken https://www.dawndavisloring.com/februarybirthdays daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627256976996-98ESQZWLJV0VM4YUIDC2/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 1 Born Today: Mari Bicknell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257002647-SD9TUUUHY5IE7F2EBFK5/unspecified-9.jpg February Birthdays - February 2 Born Today: Raven Wilkinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257033489-S2ZMH0XBF25WD36R88XJ/Alison-Chase..jpg February Birthdays - February 3 Born Today: Glen Tetley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257060137-X4R9ABGSQZSGHBTYGUVO/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 4 Born Today: Edwin Denby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257080624-H9847UGP85R34KVI2NP1/unspecified-9.jpg February Birthdays - February 5 Born Today: Ulla Poulsen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257107551-LTH8ELWHIG02WENKNNFT/Alison-Chase..jpg February Birthdays - February 6 Born Today: Sammy Green https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257145636-HW9M2WRDW47DMI6U35T0/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 7 Born Today: Patsy Swayze https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257165166-A6FVQP6OIEM4RW9TDWE4/nijinska.jpg February Birthdays - February 8 Born Today: Deborah Jowitt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257563097-0KIKRMMPIGPQE81961I8/Alison-Chase..jpg February Birthdays - February 9 Born Today: La Vaughn Robinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257584185-LPJRLPCK8EJDVM50H150/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 10 Born Today: Virginia Zucchi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257818678-7DBGAWERNIWZD47WXQ1N/nijinska.jpg February Birthdays - February 11 Born Today: Charles “Cookie” Cook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257848348-1R96U12QP5DZZIO2MTX7/limon.jpg February Birthdays - February 12 Born Today: Anna Pavlova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257919115-MMYMCIPBZQF0E2TEELPH/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 13 Born Today: Ethan Stiefel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257954121-LN05SO8MCHHQ4KMD6JC9/nijinska.jpg February Birthdays - February 14 Born Today: Gregory Hines https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627257990650-4PGS3DBONWEVA31G5VAR/limon.jpg February Birthdays - February 15 Born Today: Bill T. Jones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627258126339-BM6C42J7PXPX2DA610P6/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 16 Born Today: Vera-Ellen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627258151090-GRJN1L69MNJK9ZCEXG9C/nijinska.jpg February Birthdays - February 17 Born Today: Ganjiro Nakamura II https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627309913969-IWXC89CZRQQT9L23MXIY/limon.jpg February Birthdays - February 18 Born Today: John Travolta https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627309935161-BDXLXP274HEI0XJUU7AJ/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 19 Born Today: Lauren Anderson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627309963632-I4WI01UZ9LL4HQY2IQAQ/nijinska.jpg February Birthdays - February 20 Born Today: Marie Rambert https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627309983832-3AYUTIZJPGHMW0XD2L2B/limon.jpg February Birthdays - February 21 Born Today: Vasili Vainonen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310009835-KLYY8AJ9ATMB958EUM74/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 22 Born Today: Taheyya Carioca https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310031966-IF5JTOUD5V3VRB0FG83N/nijinska.jpg February Birthdays - February 23 Born Today: Elizabeth Streb https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310053178-UP8KIQGOOGIC02NCDDL6/limon.jpg February Birthdays - February 24 Born Today: Irmgard Bartenieff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310075732-Z59UTA77RE5Z66QIBRMR/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 25 Born Today: Viola Farber https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310096413-T2B8IR5187F8ZHWA8CIB/nijinska.jpg February Birthdays - February 26 Born Today: Bunny Briggs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627310419802-5YSWWIOSJXB8ZR9ZL70K/Antoinette+Sibley.jpeg February Birthdays - February 27 Born Today: Antoinette Sibley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627679093702-DOZ9S8346HZVCU7E1656/unspecified-10.jpg February Birthdays - February 28 Born Today: Tommy Tune https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627679115923-TQSH8D9SH1BZ57U5KO1P/nijinska.jpg February Birthdays - February 29 Born Today: Rukmini Devi Arundale https://www.dawndavisloring.com/maybirthdays daily 0.75 2023-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692048109-1J4940KIW61YU7KDEMYQ/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 1 Born Today: May O’Donnell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692069500-LWHBSK7F9Z4C5FAW7BUG/unspecified-9.jpg May Birthdays - May 2 Born Today: Vernon Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692100681-KPO2OLFJPEPI8I8NSGSN/Garth%2BFagan.jpg May Birthdays - May 3 Born Today: Garth Fagan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692603885-J37RGYWSBMEU66ZNMAFF/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 4 Born Today: Lincoln Kirstein https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692175081-JEZ760WVDDCVKXM5LI4R/unspecified-9.jpg May Birthdays - May 5 Born Today: Arlene Croce https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692328289-EDISCDEQAEI20EJVK26L/Alison-Chase..jpg May Birthdays - May 6 Born Today: Lew Christensen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692352459-489TS6U6DELFWAZBUAZK/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 7 Born Today: Wendy Whelan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692371915-45FMTR69DJT6RF1ETR2B/nijinska.jpg May Birthdays - May 8 Born Today: Raoul Trujillo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692391165-2U27ZSRVNCU1UL3NMNRV/Mallika%2BSarabhai.jpg May Birthdays - May 9 Born Today: Mallika Sarabhai https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692417349-LEHOATXCAKI9H6L9RCHD/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 10 Born Today: Fred Astaire https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692437550-ZZS1HJ5HL10EALMDL287/nijinska.jpg May Birthdays - May 11 Born Today: Martha Graham https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/9109263c-b8e8-49bb-8189-29f37d714119/Unknown.jpg May Birthdays - May 12 Born Today: Mary Ann Niles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692467414-UACTMFA9LS5N2FEMQPTW/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 13 Born Today: Balasaraswati https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692490454-T0SH63LD123IR8CFZA1Z/nijinska.jpg May Birthdays - May 14 Born Today: Marie Chouinard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692635936-O39UB21Q2XMWHHDUS2BR/Madhuri%2BDixit%2BNene.jpg May Birthdays - May 15 Born Today: Madhuri Dixit Nene https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692659324-7F0IAFWDWMFCXL9E6CIX/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 16 Born Today: Janet Jackson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692710544-RMSL07F7PREY5JMJ97E6/nijinska.jpg May Birthdays - May 17 Born Today: James “Buster” Brown https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692680737-COM98416E6HLQKA00BEZ/limon.jpg May Birthdays - May 18 Born Today: Margot Fonteyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692738463-H50M6TRESZT5WQXU22DE/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 19 Born Today: Zena Rommett https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693201750-YFCSPT1ISLTLEW3WNZ7P/nijinska.jpg May Birthdays - May 20 Born Today: Joann Wheeler Kealiinohomoku https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692758660-5LBWUK5F1V0I7J5I6GEW/Rosalia%2BChladek.jpg May Birthdays - May 21 Born Today: Rosalia Chladek https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692962659-I6AEN52FFWY5C2E43C2A/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 22 Born Today: Daniel Nagrin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692816963-WO2IGGKCORNLRAZA460A/nijinska.jpg May Birthdays - May 23 Born Today: Tatiana Riabouchinska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692788512-4ERU94HIXHADYTCUR4KM/Gene+Anthony+Ray.jpg May Birthdays - May 24 Born Today: Gene Anthony Ray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693030622-GWU51J3WFLK59DZM0KJI/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 25 Born Today: Bill “Bojangles” Robinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627692991959-UQTZSFVDOR0J25X55OIQ/nijinska.jpg May Birthdays - May 26 Born Today: Frankie Manning https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693010661-2YCMEE1RTLTIM0VI6D75/Isadora+Duncan.jpg May Birthdays - May 27 Born Today: Isadora Duncan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693237281-UXRDH7DM7LXRBT3KJ97N/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 28 Born Today: Konstantin Zaklinsky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693257599-UHM27DNPOO5HX2IGFYP6/Agon-Diana-Adams-Arthur-Mitchell-1016x1024.jpg May Birthdays - May 29 Born Today: Bob Hope https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693066566-0X2RE8ENEBVJS50SYPIP/Ruta%2BLee.jpg May Birthdays - May 30 Born Today: Ruta Lee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693489332-X7JT1FUI5XFB8233VHDN/unspecified-10.jpg May Birthdays - May 31 Born Today: Hans Beck https://www.dawndavisloring.com/aprilbirthdays daily 0.75 2026-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685012147-HO6C0TOWU4JS8G5D27TL/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 1 Born Today: Jane Powell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685030870-DGWZSH06B8IFVRC7T9HG/unspecified-9.jpg April Birthdays - April 2 Born Today: Buddy Ebsen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685052150-343YRVQLK28RJIG9ED92/Sally%2BRand.jpg April Birthdays - April 3 Born Today: Sally Rand https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685078912-WBJWZP8Z20KN9LPLWO8T/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 4 Born Today: Antony Tudor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685106045-K1X7C8BDGRTQLLVMMPGG/unspecified-9.jpg April Birthdays - April 5 Born Today: David Winters https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685128824-ISYB3B7GYBQ5QOIH5GOP/Alison-Chase..jpg April Birthdays - April 6 Born Today: Louis Spence https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685158836-6LYOW3QDUDJ3SWS0IQ75/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 7 Born Today: Willa Mae Ricker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685172588-6ZJ4IRH96VINDQ57R5YY/nijinska.jpg April Birthdays - April 8 Born Today: Michael Bennett https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627685320819-M24IRCCCWRZ2HPY7RY30/robert%2Bhelpmann.jpg April Birthdays - April 9 Born Today: Robert Helpmann https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691050189-NLJZAODSOOCI2GORFVWD/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 10 Born Today: Monsieur Albert https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691074717-RO7EG8HW48QPKSV2RJXZ/nijinska.jpg April Birthdays - April 11 Born Today: Doris Hering https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691096189-GLMDHQTWUQMS4S3DS9KB/limon.jpg April Birthdays - April 12 Born Today: Ann Miller https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691146521-I7QO31LIJUB6J823RISF/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 13 Born Today: Stanley Donen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691123389-GESA90US8S68XDWNXBDN/nijinska.jpg April Birthdays - April 14 Born Today: Carina Ari https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691175967-36Z0CA3AHANLFXM6BHIB/La-Camargo-Dancing-oil-painting-Marie-Nicolas-1730.jpg April Birthdays - April 15 Born Today: Marie Camargo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691212412-PFBD5OTLB8NC7I4VMFA3/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 16 Born Today: Merce Cunningham https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691230104-E6240L5MP7PV7NO3ENH3/nijinska.jpg April Birthdays - April 17 Born Today: Irene Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627159833308-WLMZITTBZOCD2WG1ML4M/lois+greenfield.jpg April Birthdays - April 18 Born Today: Lois Greenfield https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691497002-1G6VYNASR1WO964H4TFM/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 19 Born Today: Lulu Sweigard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691452597-FADCFWFVP8FLYG965NQB/nijinska.jpg April Birthdays - April 20 Born Today: Hemsley Winfield https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691477353-8NY8TCVZ4L0GR8B7D3LM/limon.jpg April Birthdays - April 21 Born Today: Billy Wilson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691528710-U085KE8ZEQASGY1JY3A8/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 22 Born Today: Yvette Chauviré https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691551735-XTLGU8W1VW1PM67GDK3G/nijinska.jpg April Birthdays - April 23 Born Today: Michel Fokine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/f7c6c34b-25f2-4874-8a3c-14a157b8e5c6/shirley_maclaine.jpg April Birthdays - April 24 Born Today: Shirley MacLaine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691614854-I05J4POVSJX5WQL9U298/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 25 Born Today: Sara Baras https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691821055-J4IT52HJDJO8Y5FH23TZ/nijinska.jpg April Birthdays - April 26 Born Today: Margaret H’Doubler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691846096-ZFSX5F1S0UG07KGN2XMD/jack%2Bcole.jpg April Birthdays - April 27 Born Today: Jack Cole https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691869456-J7EIOMP8AYKDY93X1DZO/unspecified-10.jpg April Birthdays - April 28 Born Today: Harry Shum, Jr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691892158-YCA3LPLKN2MGTFYXM5GE/Agon-Diana-Adams-Arthur-Mitchell-1016x1024.jpg April Birthdays - April 29 Born Today: Jean-Georges Noverre https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627691909744-F4WOSBP7SW820OO1HH7R/composite-hammer-aladdin-pants-e1471723774526.jpg April Birthdays - April 30 Born Today: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa https://www.dawndavisloring.com/junebirthdays daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693543479-9SZLMV37OQKGIYPWN5OM/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 1 Born Today: Robert North https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693637481-28L135HNJB4VZD7T164J/unspecified-9.jpg June Birthdays - June 2 Born Today: John Martin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627163275418-4X0AU0D86UCJVT1BZS2F/Josephine+Baker.jpeg June Birthdays - June 3 Born Today: Josephine Baker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693697860-LX69WLNDXXXLJ8PKX7LG/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 4 Born Today: Darci Kistler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693671506-7SBGFG11KVE4WBHCSYE0/unspecified-9.jpg June Birthdays - June 5 Born Today: Ayodele Casel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693715358-G8E583UAJ95R3OBVAOZQ/Ninette%2Bde%2BValois.jpg June Birthdays - June 6 Born Today: Ninette de Valois https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693752362-SYFXQ0G77UIXK1K17R7K/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 7 Born Today: Prince https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693770538-RFSJ7PZ2ECIZQBG3XOIX/nijinska.jpg June Birthdays - June 8 Born Today: Lauren Gottlieb https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693818999-RRXHEWUQ51XGSUCXNMCA/Jane-Avril.jpg June Birthdays - June 9 Born Today: Jane Avril https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693934803-LO8F2N7P2MS7TWRV156S/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 10 Born Today: Judy Garland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693844716-C5P6BE0H1WK9O2DL7R2G/nijinska.jpg June Birthdays - June 11 Born Today: Carol Paumgarten https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693961781-76BMFVL0JZHBLG4IGRX2/Marina%2BSemyonova.jpg June Birthdays - June 12 Born Today: Marina Semyonova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627694014382-DZJAQ0VAB6JBI80MUT48/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 13 Born Today: Frederic Franklin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627693984881-SH6G1XRXWYGNBVXXMZMY/nijinska.jpg June Birthdays - June 14 Born Today: David Howard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627694031531-OIFF4GAW1FPXHBB2HJKM/Jack%2BAnderson.jpg June Birthdays - June 15 Born Today: Jack Anderson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627694058763-IVJKLD5EQ5JMCSD4LMYG/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 16 Born Today: Leland Palmer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627694076641-BRGOROYJNTL5UQTSDSFJ/nijinska.jpg June Birthdays - June 17 Born Today: Isabelle Delobel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627694094521-FGJMDWJQI28SYO0IJNQ8/Leonid%2BLavrovsky.jpg June Birthdays - June 18 Born Today: Leonid Lavrovsky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696491321-9MZHAVFQD8W2CUC2LKEP/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 19 Born Today: Paula Abdul https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696510619-EPKW2QXYFMJ960DW1I5O/nijinska.jpg June Birthdays - June 20 Born Today: Giuseppe Bausilio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696529605-794HM4HCC8MXZPX0B2RY/Enrico%2BCecchetti.jpg June Birthdays - June 21 Born Today: Enrico Cecchetti https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696556002-C6IS6QDW05P9YHQUYIN4/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 22 Born Today: Katherine Dunham https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696575814-HMB3BBHOWI5BYGSGZZB6/nijinska.jpg June Birthdays - June 23 Born Today: Bob Fosse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696595233-TP365E57WLUXDJ4VBH3A/MargaretKellyYoung.jpg June Birthdays - June 24 Born Today: Margaret Kelly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696625005-W5GQEM1I2GWXHFVQS4GY/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 25 Born Today: Celia Franca https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696643319-7ON3YMWNP27R4RURGTXO/nijinska.jpg June Birthdays - June 26 Born Today: Agrippina Vaganova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696708974-BUASEHH7M772MKQ0E3NF/amala-shankarjpg.jpg June Birthdays - June 27 Born Today: Amala Shankar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627696864943-2KCX0OJCB25NOBQQYLS7/unspecified-10.jpg June Birthdays - June 28 Born Today: Carlotta Grisi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697300126-4TQ87HV6THVWTXK3CC39/Agon-Diana-Adams-Arthur-Mitchell-1016x1024.jpg June Birthdays - June 29 Born Today: Fred Kelly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697326365-75ZQLQFNYMA55IQ70T7B/composite-hammer-aladdin-pants-e1471723774526.jpg June Birthdays - June 30 Born Today: Lucile Grahn https://www.dawndavisloring.com/julybirthdays daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697388461-G5OHWQRTNA0JFYZZK2O0/unspecified-10.jpg July Birthdays - July 1 Born Today: Twyla Tharp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697441899-PTYLAZ6VX65RJPIJCUIZ/unspecified-9.jpg July Birthdays - July 2 Born Today: Lavinia Williams https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697410419-4Q7X2JVBTULQ1LATVY9K/eddie-torres-6209e8c3-f061-4628-873f-d3ba06be8b3-resize-750.jpeg July Birthdays - July 3 Born Today: Eddie Torres https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697472980-Y0A4YCXK9T0PCM0V5W2A/shorty_george_snowden.jpg July Birthdays - July 4 Born Today: ‘Shorty’ George Snowden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697498797-U0P8B78S5R82QDZ3B4MF/feld454.jpg July Birthdays - July 5 Born Today: Eliot Feld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697519743-DBU2E762BEKS2UNYD4C2/Alison-Chase..jpg July Birthdays - July 6 Born Today: Donald McKayle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697553563-GEIV575LGW80GSX0ONRD/unspecified-10.jpg July Birthdays - July 7 Born Today: Dalilah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697571044-JUUVSRBPXQUI3ZDPL3L0/nijinska.jpg July Birthdays - July 8 Born Today: Cynthia Gregory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697592432-TGI2S3FUX98U5WTXXBSQ/margie-gillis_350-5_westmountmag.jpg July Birthdays - July 9 Born Today: Margie Gillis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697615022-QMHK8BPF0WU1DV3NPW9E/unspecified-10.jpg July Birthdays - July 10 Born Today: Raghav Juyal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697637046-VZVVI61AJ6I46YRRQMWG/nijinska.jpg July Birthdays - July 11 Born Today: Stephanie Dabney https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697656094-GUFVRI15VPOIKRTA0APZ/Jonathan%2BWolken.jpg July Birthdays - July 12 Born Today: Jonathan Wolken https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697683830-B691UH3PRRFLYEFAF5PS/unspecified-10.jpg July Birthdays - July 13 Born Today: Anna Halprin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697704835-R268EFCHXUAB2KRJ5RIB/nijinska.jpg July Birthdays - July 14 Born Today: David Gordon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697724473-N48YBGHOS98WXEMGK28A/andre%2Blepecki.jpg July Birthdays - July 15 Born Today: André Lepecki https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697747491-7Q9SK0VH6F0I1T0X4HR4/unspecified-10.jpg July Birthdays - July 16 Born Today: Ginger Rogers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697765520-BF4K19TWZJDVSZUPL53W/nijinska.jpg July Birthdays - July 17 Born Today: Cleo Parker Robinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697783624-I93XVZH8MMTGHWCAQ4K6/Olga-Spessivtseva-3.jpg July Birthdays - July 18 Born Today: Olga Spessivtzeva https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697831001-R89MJUH6JMOEP60MF3LD/unspecified-10.jpg July Birthdays - July 19 Born Today: Edgar Degas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697856206-35IFHAH4H4EOUUIDSFXD/Julianne+Hough.jpg July Birthdays - July 20 Born Today: Julianne Hough https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697873664-4LVII9JYB2M9NB9JHX1Y/Donald%2BByrd.jpg July Birthdays - July 21 Born Today: Donald Byrd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697907528-V4YD8XOQTLVXO1X08W2S/unspecified-10.jpg July Birthdays - July 22 Born Today: Charles Weidman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697926154-8N2JTLS2W4GA3LE9C9O5/nijinska.jpg July Birthdays - July 23 Born Today: Cat Glover https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627697946698-W5Z8H50TTMSE5FWMI6KN/Jennifer%2BLopez.jpg July Birthdays - July 24 Born Today: Jennifer Lopez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698447055-G3KAN65FV795TZY0COHG/unspecified-10.jpg July Birthdays - July 25 Born Today: Buddy Bradley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698006781-DICPA0JH6BIIMSSX61H0/nijinska.jpg July Birthdays - July 26 Born Today: Alexis Rassine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698030513-F4W14DB80YLOV7BU7QXI/pina-bausch-21.jpg July Birthdays - July 27 Born Today: Pina Bausch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698401368-6ZQMGM7T23RRQOVCY7JJ/0302_jacques-damboise-e1299081122335-1000x780.jpg July Birthdays - July 28 Born Today: Jacques d’Amboise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698088439-C3RKV5AS9FFPLCWYG4LO/paul_taylor_dancemaker-h_2018.jpg July Birthdays - July 29 Born Today: Paul Taylor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698109806-N4EKNX2EP80ZWUB3NMA1/Margo%2BSappington.jpg July Birthdays - July 30 Born Today: Margo Sappington https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698283612-LSH3KWE9FPWBA6UR68WA/EM1BCsXXsAA66tC.jpg July Birthdays - July 31 Born Today: Dave Toole https://www.dawndavisloring.com/octoberbirthdays daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701655917-Q4NN7NO4303IJOE8X5TE/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 1 Born Today: Luke Cresswell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701675895-QFG768MNJ341376RU3HW/unspecified-9.jpg October Birthdays - October 2 Born Today: Jimmy Slyde https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701806462-E1CVHZNDAOTPVFUP76XI/Erik%2BBruhn.jpg October Birthdays - October 3 Born Today: Erik Bruhn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701828855-7FXLMY63EI1UQDPV82OW/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 4 Born Today: Telisha Shaw https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701847259-ERUPGCTBT2WMG9J8ERQ3/unspecified-9.jpg October Birthdays - October 5 Born Today: Ida Rubinstein https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701862465-HPOBL2EMJ37TDAKNMRKX/Casey%2BNicholaw.jpg October Birthdays - October 6 Born Today: Casey Nicholaw https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701880922-CSU3KNYL3137YOGUA12U/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 7 Born Today: Sarah Churchill https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701897485-K40GQ3X85C7QK87J64JD/nijinska.jpg October Birthdays - October 8 Born Today: John Jasperse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701913529-2XGC14QA6GNWLSRPZ8GF/Sally_Banes-1.jpg October Birthdays - October 9 Born Today: Sally Banes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701932967-4OE6JB8T05R339ERWHLC/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 10 Born Today: Ben Vereen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701945433-KPPMXUFUSZDH68LPXKSU/nijinska.jpg October Birthdays - October 11 Born Today: Jerome Robbins https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701959638-38PODKWC0W201PREVRQJ/Hugh%2BJackman.jpg October Birthdays - October 12 Born Today: Hugh Jackman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701981984-LMV06BDA3DB1P7U6SIDV/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 13 Born Today: Michael Smuin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701999269-YNF62BNM4VJP2UK809PV/nijinska.jpg October Birthdays - October 14 Born Today: Usher https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702034095-586GFN9B84YJWH4TU20N/Copy%2Bof%2BTim%2BPalmer%2B_%2BEdna%2BDeane.jpg October Birthdays - October 15 Born Today: Edna Deane https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702057972-R8G6N89GRPN6SD9VL04T/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 16 Born Today: Marian van Tuyl https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702074188-8543FE89XLN183OGMKJ4/nijinska.jpg October Birthdays - October 17 Born Today: Doris Humphrey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702091710-JPK82T2166N5ZYHP3IVZ/limon.jpg October Birthdays - October 18 Born Today: Acia Gray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702113748-5NHLVHOSAYSWC1JITTCD/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 19 Born Today: Douglas Dunn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702130859-U8YA2MGYDVKPHIY9MYNK/nijinska.jpg October Birthdays - October 20 Born Today: Fayard Nicholas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702148153-1FBJ0XGS31KS34EAN8C1/Ted%2BShawn.jpg October Birthdays - October 21 Born Today: Ted Shawn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702168075-OGY5JT4GOD0M2C6M95OY/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 22 Born Today: Philippe Decouflé https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702190902-MUBEVK53THBFSQU1CKI3/nijinska.jpg October Birthdays - October 23 Born Today: Seymour Felix https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702210476-D761OR8KAXC7QP5QTLLC/Wayne_Lamb_s_photo.jpg October Birthdays - October 24 Born Today: Wayne Lamb https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702239099-M7ZQ6Z2HQNS9A56IEVO0/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 25 Born Today: Chinna Satyam https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702254868-CSXNU7J8G6H4SFL2XIP4/nijinska.jpg October Birthdays - October 26 Born Today: Aaron Kwok https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702268996-B0KJXD4L13JKUULME1IF/kazuoohno_600div1.jpg October Birthdays - October 27 Born Today: Kazuo Ohno https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702291468-97FPY9VQH2HSVD1ENH32/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 28 Born Today: Chehon Wespi-Tschopp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702307609-JMHGEEGYLFUVY7JD9CN3/nijinska.jpg October Birthdays - October 29 Born Today: Finola Hughes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702322152-ZBXNKYF1NOQAX1PTMX9H/Richard-Alston_2014-5-by-Hugo-Glendinning-724x1024.jpeg October Birthdays - October 30 Born Today: Richard Alston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627702516382-I6OJZNMAW6R2QSJHI0XJ/unspecified-10.jpg October Birthdays - October 31 Born Today: Leon Danielian https://www.dawndavisloring.com/augustbirthdays daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698505145-CXDCAZZGSB3F6Y23R0EH/unspecified-10.jpg August Birthdays - August 1 Born Today: Geoffrey Holder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698527271-H3S682BZAZBSQCOM69J9/unspecified-9.jpg August Birthdays - August 2 Born Today: Eugene Loring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698590600-CVH07LL5PA5MLS2Q9I04/birgit-cullberg-daa4fc86-28da-417a-b302-520b9e7bcbe-resize-750.jpg August Birthdays - August 3 Born Today: Birgit Cullberg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698623532-5L16G7EZA7Z7IPWZPNAI/unspecified-10.jpg August Birthdays - August 4 Born Today: Asadata Dafora https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698643847-YN88HTXFXWZWE40A0MBH/unspecified-9.jpg August Birthdays - August 5 Born Today: Poppin Pete https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698669201-9PQWXDKFPGBUTENJGVQR/JaQuel%2BKnight.jpg August Birthdays - August 6 Born Today: JaQuel Knight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698695228-0DIBVIVIFMVKKIE9B5TR/Mata_Hari_13.jpg August Birthdays - August 7 Born Today: Mata Hari https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698714195-67GJOIAN546T6WXAC71M/nijinska.jpg August Birthdays - August 8 Born Today: Esther Williams https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698734300-Q62698RQTJ0HB01KXDJ4/Unknown.jpg August Birthdays - August 9 Born Today: Leonide Massine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698757488-TFDJ8VC9QOO0QZGT4PNG/unspecified-10.jpg August Birthdays - August 10 Born Today: Xenia Borovansky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698779066-ZFBRHM6980SDPSA576FM/nijinska.jpg August Birthdays - August 11 Born Today: Allegra Kent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698796353-Z1324ZTYOSU5X9PHVRTD/smile-kidd.jpg August Birthdays - August 12 Born Today: Michael Kidd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698834417-OO8KIKSL7PN4HP3OWGWP/unspecified-10.jpg August Birthdays - August 13 Born Today: Dania Krupska https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698863414-GEXQE2CRWQXBPORRK231/nijinska.jpg August Birthdays - August 14 Born Today: Lucinda Dickey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698910768-BZCGZM06F2GW1Z29TOLV/John%2BCranko.jpg August Birthdays - August 15 Born Today: John Cranko https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698929598-SXPPFRC22PBG0BVTAQFC/unspecified-10.jpg August Birthdays - August 16 Born Today: Matt Mattox https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698947165-9PUYN7M67S22BCNXV5BE/nijinska.jpg August Birthdays - August 17 Born Today: Victor Rona https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627698969011-ZAYNM6CW5XCLKYBR9P4K/limon.jpg August Birthdays - August 18 Born Today: Patrick Swayze https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699003367-DN4E8DPQCDOPQ103F4U6/unspecified-10.jpg August Birthdays - August 19 Born Today: Pauline Leroux https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699039687-WUNDR66YQ4XXC1FGS9SF/nijinska.jpg August Birthdays - August 20 Born Today: Carla Fracci https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699069245-KJ9IMMX1QED61YTBENNS/august%2Bbournonville.jpg August Birthdays - August 21 Born Today: August Bournonville https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699091224-2KCFEYBLCT66M2ALMR2L/unspecified-10.jpg August Birthdays - August 22 Born Today: Donal MacLeary https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699116870-6EDN1W14SPEPCJDR95YO/nijinska.jpg August Birthdays - August 23 Born Today: Gene Kelly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699134596-81IBQN5PAFK8PA9N4XR5/Unknown-1.jpg August Birthdays - August 24 Born Today: Jeffrey Vinokur https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699158894-XL7TMI8HLWF8AWUGN2C8/unspecified-10.jpg August Birthdays - August 25 Born Today: Ruby Keeler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699177840-177UT6B4U1JV3W70OIU1/nijinska.jpg August Birthdays - August 26 Born Today: Michael Jeter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699202127-UUMW6VXGR2P82KJWDVO8/limon.jpg August Birthdays - August 27 Born Today: Willam Christensen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699221015-0A8ZN36LB01DNKFACR3J/Robert+Battle.jpg August Birthdays - August 28 Born Today: Robert Battle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699240386-OG8JUDWW6FE03FQ2LUMO/nijinska.jpg August Birthdays - August 29 Born Today: Mark Morris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699263699-8OVDDPJQ96F4BON925SA/Jorma%2BElo.jpg August Birthdays - August 30 Born Today: Jorma Elo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699505705-KD0QOW4TS6AR70WATTKL/Robert+Battle.jpg August Birthdays - August 31 Born Today: Théophile Gautier https://www.dawndavisloring.com/decemberbirthdays daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704857062-X7L42JF103BCOLO1G2JS/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 1 Born Today: Alicia Markova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704874515-4BTQCL1V1MZP943NC4J1/unspecified-9.jpg December Birthdays - December 2 Born Today: Marc Platt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704891630-B3PEI6E27380VOQEB72C/Alison-Chase..jpg December Birthdays - December 3 Born Today: Laura Dean https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704910662-1JU5SRDUHL6XEWTFBZMH/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 4 Born Today: Rod Rodgers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704926585-S5D8IDAP8LQ56DXWVO6H/unspecified-9.jpg December Birthdays - December 5 Born Today: Baayork Lee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704942612-ZGSIRPCV3TQ2C63XL1C2/Alison-Chase..jpg December Birthdays - December 6 Born Today: Howard Jeffrey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704961066-WKJ758SOJSTKTUWHM1EX/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 7 Born Today: Riccardo Cocchi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704977004-44CYHEBK50B64ADBL56A/nijinska.jpg December Birthdays - December 8 Born Today: Sammy Davis, Jr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632615625203-Y3PSC0BJT5FEMCUKAIFB/jopilates.jpg December Birthdays - December 9 Born Today: Joseph Pilates https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705017940-D7R16FEWETQWZ9AJBYF5/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 10 Born Today: Hermes Pan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705034738-JFGT3XVFONY45EVBABEJ/nijinska.jpg December Birthdays - December 11 Born Today: Rita Moreno https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705050395-RZJLCUVSV4Z8GXD0EEYY/garafola-lynn.jpg December Birthdays - December 12 Born Today: Lynn Garafola https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705069482-Z7XG65BB6FDVYH6W9CRO/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 13 Born Today: Dick Van Dyke https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705086683-8RY1AISENAEEJMR0SU1T/nijinska.jpg December Birthdays - December 14 Born Today: Dan Dailey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705109324-UBWZ31PUIXXTT7N5OZJN/laban.jpg December Birthdays - December 15 Born Today: Rudolf von Laban https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705130862-0HWJUE88X8ZU7L6D376W/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 16 Born Today: Andre Van Damme https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705146749-OKSUVQIH8136FJ670KIB/nijinska.jpg December Birthdays - December 17 Born Today: Fernando Alonso https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705163544-LXINTF4G9PQIT6G2ASMP/Betty-Grable-dance.jpg December Birthdays - December 18 Born Today: Betty Grable https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705190929-TQBD9MXWVUIQA3FQ9Z4A/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 19 Born Today: Reiko Sato https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705207003-E4V4D8R5FCGFF4PD12IE/nijinska.jpg December Birthdays - December 20 Born Today: Suzanne Langer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705252762-K8S5GNMKZSFP980R0KJG/Jawolle%252BWilla%252BJo%252BZollar.jpg December Birthdays - December 21 Born Today: Jawole Willa Jo Zollar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705275145-TXZKV6J33YM4P40DB74B/Talley-Beatty.jpg December Birthdays - December 22 Born Today: Talley Beatty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705293710-0SVL0RJ0K14AO5VPM3QO/nijinska.jpg December Birthdays - December 23 Born Today: Buzz Miller https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705327754-99L7I7OU60G5EP1C8JWW/limon.jpg December Birthdays - December 24 Born Today: Carol Haney https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705346711-6GPEFMUL02Q97VCU08WF/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 25 Born Today: Liz Lerman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705360973-AS4SWPN7EHHSVQ7P6TAL/nijinska.jpg December Birthdays - December 26 Born Today: Bob Avian https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705378091-YWZ2A9MHYOIDYEACZ1GQ/featured-tommy-rall-e1602126537277-1024x960.jpg December Birthdays - December 27 Born Today: Tommy Rall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705396835-NRLM0SY0REWUWH1TWWFG/unspecified-10.jpg December Birthdays - December 28 Born Today: Robert Dunn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705415430-EW946KTLMALA0SG8SMBU/nijinska.jpg December Birthdays - December 29 Born Today: Gelsey Kirkland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705428397-S6K1WIV8C3369WZCPVNJ/russ-tamblyn.jpg December Birthdays - December 30 Born Today: Russ Tamblyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627705753154-CNR3517ABQGQ86LE7MZ0/Bebe+Newirth.jpg December Birthdays - December 31 Born Today: Bebe Neuwirth https://www.dawndavisloring.com/septemberbirthdays daily 0.75 2022-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700190792-SVXCSSKHEXATISXIFN5T/download.jpg September Birthdays - September 1 Born Today: Peggy van Praagh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699645364-MKG5UGS2N9P50XEH1QJO/unspecified-9.jpg September Birthdays - September 2 Born Today: Marge Champion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627699666058-5ZX443WSLNV7CSXSAHJ8/florrie+rodrigo.jpg September Birthdays - September 3 Born Today: Florrie Rodrigo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700256420-WL33XP8CFVMI3LMXODEH/unspecified-10.jpg September Birthdays - September 4 Born Today: La Argentina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700283854-ABL33Q1AVI792PARR7FB/unspecified-9.jpg September Birthdays - September 5 Born Today: King Louis XIV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700401567-6PRUBAZLJ57OJ4TR1JGF/Rosie%2BPerez.jpg September Birthdays - September 6 Born Today: Rosie Perez https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700476170-Q3N0K1MUM30PZI5OR12C/unspecified-10.jpg September Birthdays - September 7 Born Today: Brenda Bufalino https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700562000-Z1DLTOKQVIJWJZBR3TDT/nijinska.jpg September Birthdays - September 8 Born Today: Justin Peck https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700589925-4433TH7QL8NNJ9SKBRI4/trocks.jpg September Birthdays - September 9 Born Today: Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700608793-N0AIZUVHOXNGI7M4E3AH/unspecified-10.jpg September Birthdays - September 10 Born Today: Misty Copeland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700639263-E4Z1TRH6BEV2WAIHJVRI/nijinska.jpg September Birthdays - September 11 Born Today: Yulia Zagoruychenko https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700657838-YKKEE486G5ACFMEQGOOZ/michelle%2Bdorrance.jpg September Birthdays - September 12 Born Today: Michelle Dorrance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700680287-RW0AYBWH43TUSERGPORD/unspecified-10.jpg September Birthdays - September 13 Born Today: Pilar Rioja https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700728645-4QTBFL0YBOPLB9NFRC35/nijinska.jpg September Birthdays - September 14 Born Today: Corporal Nelson Barclift https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700805097-QFLZPD4KTZ7LBQVWRMVB/Kathryn%2BMurray.jpg September Birthdays - September 15 Born Today: Kathryn Murray https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700826437-W688HURD7QE32C5PEIDL/unspecified-10.jpg September Birthdays - September 16 Born Today: George Chakiris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627700857225-M1JGEOKZLHMUYXSA7IBF/nijinska.jpg September Birthdays - September 17 Born Today: Frederick Ashton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701135408-GG2PGXTNPGB4NHB0M6DD/agnes+de+mille.jpeg September Birthdays - September 18 Born Today: Agnes de Mille https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701240881-OHCW515YUJLN286GAPJ5/unspecified-10.jpg September Birthdays - September 19 Born Today: Amalia Hernández https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701266916-4PVFHU3FV5EQQ6QQ3AY2/nijinska.jpg September Birthdays - September 20 Born Today: Bebe Miller https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701293755-YQRDJFKJFNA5NXD9O1DR/clement%2Bcrisp.jpg September Birthdays - September 21 Born Today: Clement Crisp https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701350352-G9EAZCWFLK9JHL8JUEOM/unspecified-10.jpg September Birthdays - September 22 Born Today: Toni Basil https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701381702-N6TVYC7L35N1PPZSKZRG/nijinska.jpg September Birthdays - September 23 Born Today: Virginia Bosler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701404919-3JYQWBL2LHV4V03WTXJ6/svetlana%2Bberiosova.jpg September Birthdays - September 24 Born Today: Svetlana Beriosova https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701427599-ZR32BO47WGSNZKEQ1N2Q/unspecified-10.jpg September Birthdays - September 25 Born Today: Adolph Bolm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701457004-XBZBTLPM1M2IM8JLF60U/nijinska.jpg September Birthdays - September 26 Born Today: Carolyn Brown https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701486312-JPC27XA1G8OA5ATXYDED/where-the-hell-is-matt-2012-jpg.jpg September Birthdays - September 27 Born Today: Matt Harding https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701510829-I8ZBVB8U9NR2DYTIQL74/kathleen-marshall-helms-living-on-love-for-williamstown-94829.jpg September Birthdays - September 28 Born Today: Kathleen Marshall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701525336-DKS55DUBWU5OFEHJ7G85/Agon-Diana-Adams-Arthur-Mitchell-1016x1024.jpg September Birthdays - September 29 Born Today: Isha Sharvani https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627701548111-BBQMJM8429X03RL0SLF8/composite-hammer-aladdin-pants-e1471723774526.jpg September Birthdays - September 30 Born Today: Pierina Legnani https://www.dawndavisloring.com/novemberbirthdays daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704145997-CMMDP9F9SPRC33ED2NK1/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 1 Born Today: André Levinson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704163886-055ZSRTH3C0F3UEBW7ZZ/unspecified-9.jpg November Birthdays - November 2 Born Today: Carmen Amaya https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704191268-EOOVEZQAMJK69PJCLVQM/320px-Ann-Hutchinson-Guest-2009-May-29-no2.jpg November Birthdays - November 3 Born Today: Ann Hutchinson Guest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704233185-4Q2WZT9MR1OCKVMGBONZ/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 4 Born Today: Carlo Blasis https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704251727-RONZPII1MNNMBMGQPJU0/unspecified-9.jpg November Birthdays - November 5 Born Today: Marquese Scott https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704268882-01CUPLO671TP0CNIR4NC/Mare-Tommingas-Teater-Vanemuine.jpg November Birthdays - November 6 Born Today: Mare Tommingas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704287311-3NFKU7J74RDYG5RA07NM/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 7 Born Today: Nellie Campobello https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704304921-QCFHAQRSTEFCBSXAMV9E/nijinska.jpg November Birthdays - November 8 Born Today: Esther Rolle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704328071-41OLS1MO5527AKW27X07/Kay%2BThompson.jpg November Birthdays - November 9 Born Today: Kay Thompson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704349292-35WBP8DKIBP46C3QRSPO/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 10 Born Today: Ann Reinking https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704365898-NZ1KNEIFG2PJPTIH5EU3/nijinska.jpg November Birthdays - November 11 Born Today: Mary Anthony https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704387298-Y4JDU7BYVP1OAGWIH5AD/Bert%2BWilliams.jpg November Birthdays - November 12 Born Today: Bert Williams https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704410547-FOUFLOGU0N4Y7NQJFQRH/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 13 Born Today: Mary Wigman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704428361-CHZO1HDM361GT4F35992/1923_louise_brooks_dances_at_miller_theatre_01a.png November Birthdays - November 14 Born Today: Louise Brooks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704443644-JRV2XK72J5ZRQDGYIL5K/tillylosch.jpg November Birthdays - November 15 Born Today: Tilly Losch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704463828-JIMS0K5VNU4IV0WPYELO/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 16 Born Today: Donna McKechnie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704488758-1UHQLTMX1VW4OC7HTKIL/nijinska.jpg November Birthdays - November 17 Born Today: Platon Karsavin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704508789-JDS602TGQN8DDFQX8551/Steven%2BBoockvor.jpg November Birthdays - November 18 Born Today: Steven Boockvor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704537923-GSFYY4ADTQREWT8RJW9J/savionglover-photoby-loisgreenfield.jpg November Birthdays - November 19 Born Today: Savion Glover https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704581292-AR9JJJMOOYHH5S2UUI7G/nijinska.jpg November Birthdays - November 20 Born Today: Ram Gopal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704598238-ZO30DPTZM0FTHDWWTP97/03_eleanor_powel-theredlist.jpg November Birthdays - November 21 Born Today: Eleanor Powell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704627389-C9M8NQ0KW1HO37MU4QTY/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 22 Born Today: Pavel Gerdt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704644385-OIICOR2UBZYWLPW2FEL6/nijinska.jpg November Birthdays - November 23 Born Today: Peter Gennaro https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704663306-PPTLQBVTXZ2W52EPHXHT/yvonne-rainer.jpg November Birthdays - November 24 Born Today: Yvonne Rainer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704689332-G22K3V2H37DD847H69WN/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 25 Born Today: Alwin Nikolais https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704703043-OKH5CS6FVVZT5GXWHNLS/nijinska.jpg November Birthdays - November 26 Born Today: Margaret Craske https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704725649-K12TZX4PE5M3XMG0PMQ4/cas-anncooperalbright.jpg November Birthdays - November 27 Born Today: Ann Cooper Albright https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704754077-Z8G4UP8NDLM75KOGOP3B/unspecified-10.jpg November Birthdays - November 28 Born Today: Alexander Godunov https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704770486-FOQZUDONPTJC963EHPWQ/Agon-Diana-Adams-Arthur-Mitchell-1016x1024.jpg November Birthdays - November 29 Born Today: Pearl Primus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1627704787881-ZMUHTHIBZCI4YI24MI6I/composite-hammer-aladdin-pants-e1471723774526.jpg November Birthdays - November 30 Born Today: Olivier Schoenfelder https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-3 daily 0.75 2025-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630964418085-FM29T8JKB0WY4Z7L108C/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-2 daily 0.75 2026-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1628986036419-511B26RX1A1BXCG78X41/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/about-3 daily 0.75 2021-08-14 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-9 daily 0.75 2022-05-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630965488565-KOMLR84RV8NFK0O53IU7/vera+zorina.jpg January 9 - January 9 Born Today: Gypsy Rose Lee Burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee (1911-1970) grew up performing in vaudeville, along with her sister, actress June Havoc (1912-2010), to support their overbearing stage-mom, Mama Rose. Gypsy Rose Lee developed a talent for witty and teasing striptease, appearing as herself in the wartime movie, Stage Door Canteen (1943). She penned a mystery thriller in 1941 and her 1957 memoir became the Broadway show Gypsy (1959). Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Calvin Royal III (c. 1988-) has been dancing with American Ballet Theatre since 2010 and in 2020, he was promoted to principal dancer, one of only three African-American dancers to be promoted to the highest rank at the company. -------------------------------- Movie: Tonight and Every Night released in 1945 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-6 daily 0.75 2025-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630964861839-KKPI52KXK0Y6DS1HB9BG/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-16 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630966309359-V9T091D8F4A8Q15MUCYG/vera+zorina.jpg January 16 - January 16 Born Today: Debbie Allen Versatile artist Debbie Allen (1950-) appeared in Ain’t Misbehavin (1978) on Broadway and in the movie Ragtime (1981), but Allen was introduced to even larger audiences through her role in the TV show Fame, airing from 1982-1987, a reprise of her role in the original movie (1980) as the inspiring dance teacher at a high school for the performing arts. She was also featured in the 2009 remake of Fame. She stepped behind the camera to produce and direct the sit-com A Different World and choreographed ten Academy Award shows. Since 2007 she has appeared as a judge for the TV dance showcase So You Think You Can Dance and has continued directing episodes for multiple TV shows. Also Born Today: Puerto Rican salsa musician and dancer Roberto Roena, (1940-2021) won multiple talent contests for dance routines created for himself and his brother. He went on to play percussion and lead his own band, also performing with the Fania All Stars. Tap dancer Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards (1976-) made her Broadway premiere at the age of 12 in Black and Blue (1989) alongside legendary and emerging tap greats, such as Jimmy Slyde (1927-2008) and Sauvion Glover (1973-) and in Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk (1996). She also appeared in the movies Tap (1989) and Bamboozled (2000), often as one of a few female tap dancers featured. ----- Broadway Premiere: Hello, Dolly! in 1964 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-8 daily 0.75 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630965233631-DC6R1ZALPUIRY6SAT842/vera+zorina.jpg January 8 - January 8 Born Today: Bronislava Nijinska Choreographer Bronislava Nijinska (1891-1972) was the sister of dancer/choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky (1889-1950) and danced in some of his seminal pieces, including Afternoon of a Faun (1912). She created masterpieces of her own for the original Ballets Russes, including Les Noces (1923), which remains in the repertories of ballet companies worldwide. Also Born Today: Modern dancer Gret Palucca (1902-1993) who performed with Mary Wigman (1886-1973) and opened several schools of dance in Germany, helping to found the German Academy of Arts. Ballerina Galina Ulanova (1910-1998) danced nearly her entire career within Soviet Russia, and was only allowed at the age of 46 to tour internationally. Thelma “Butterfly McQueen (1911-1995), best known for her role in Gone with the Wind (1939) began her career as a dancer, performing with Katherine Dunham (1909-2006). Ballerina Annabelle Lyon (1916-2011) danced with the early versions of New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre dance companies and on Broadway in Carousel (1945). Choreographer Nacho Duato (1957-), danced with Cullberg Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theatre before becoming a resident choreographer and artistic director for dance companies in Spain, Russia, and Germany. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-25 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967617265-DFFXVCQ0CKR7B6UM3ODM/vera+zorina.jpg January 25 - January 25 Born Today: Florence Mills Florence Mills (1896-1927) began performing as a child in a vaudeville act with her sisters and she appeared in the groundbreaking musical Shuffle Along (1921) on Broadway, which launched her career. However, it was Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds in 1926 that established her as an international star. She died of tuberculosis at the age of 31, shocking the performing community. Her widower, acrobatic dancer Ulysses "Slow Kid" Thompson (1888-1990) was a master of the slow-motion dance and continued performing until 1969. Also Born Today: Dancer and teacher Yekaterina Vazem (1848 -1937) is best known for creating the role of Nikiya in the original production of La Bayadere (1877) and for being the teacher of famed ballerina Anna Pavlova (1881-1931). Modern dance-trained Fred Berk (1911-1980) became an authority on Jewish dance, particularly Israeli folk dance. Jeanne Brabants (1920-2014) Belgian teacher and choreographer, directed the Royal Ballet of Flanders from the 1970s to 1984. Ballerina Virginia Johnson (1950-), was a founding member and and is now the Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-24 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967523439-ZTYHG18L384WVSQ0T28M/vera+zorina.jpg January 24 - January 24 Born Today: Maria Tallchief Ballerina Maria Tallchief (1925-2013), member of the Osage Nation, was the New York City Ballet's first star. George Balanchine (1904-1983), her husband at the time, created his own version of The Firebird for her in 1949 and she danced the first Sugar Plum Fairy role in an obscure little ballet called The Nutcracker revived by Balanchine in 1954, popularizing it as the premier seasonal ballet. Her sister Marjorie Tallchief (1926-2021) also danced ballet and performed with the Paris Opera. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer André-Jean-Jacques Deshayes (1777-1846) performed with the Paris Opera Ballet and spent much of his later career in the UK (1804-1842) helping to develop Romantic Ballet in Britain. Audrey De Vos (1900-1983) was a London-based ballet and modern dance teacher whose unorthodox methods combined the two techniques to honor physical uniqueness of each of her dancers. Tap dancer Howard “Sandman” Sims (1917-2003) is named for the technique he perfected, dancing on a fine layer of sand. Ballet dancer Donald Saddler (1918-2014) was an original member of ABT and performed on Broadway and later directed revival musicals. ——- Movie: Chicago released in 2003 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-30 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630968090533-8O35THGB14KC44G6HWU3/vera+zorina.jpg January 30 - January 30 Born Today: George Skibine Ballet dancer George Skibine (1920-1981) is the son of dancer Boris Skibine (1876-1937) and was married to ballerina Marjorie Tallchief (1926-2021), sister of ballerina Maria Tallchief (1925-2013). George Skibine performed with his father for the original Ballets Russes as a young child, appearing as an extra in the ballet Petrouchka. He studied with famed dancer/teacher Olga Preobajenska (1871-1962) and went on to dance with both of the later Ballet Russe companies and American Ballet Theatre, and her laterserved as the artistic director for the Paris Opera Ballet, the Harkness Ballet, and the Dallas Civic Ballet. ----- Broadway Premiere: Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-31 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630968157885-Y9ZK64KKC0R5G3MPEBOH/vera+zorina.jpg January 31 - January 31 Born Today: Bruce Marks Dancer/choreographer Bruce Marks (1937-) performed in his younger years with modern dancer Pearl Lang (1921-2009) and was the mentee of choreographer Antony Tudor (1908-1987), who convinced him to join the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in the 1950s. Marks danced with ABT in the 1960s and the Royal Danish Ballet in the 1970s before retiring from performing in 1976, taking on the role of co-artistic director of Ballet West in Utah, at the request of founder William Christensen (1902-2001). Marks joined the Boston Ballet as artistic director in the 1980s and stepped down in 1988 to devote his energies to dance advocacy. ----- Also Born Today: Song and dance man Eddie Cantor (1892-1964) performed in the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway from 1917-1927 and popularized many songs on film, radio, and TV, including “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and “If You Knew Susie”. Dance Premiere: Revelations in 1960 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-2 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631019480275-3ZTSQ75NND6HHJ37GUKO/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-5 daily 0.75 2025-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630964720573-EY0RC5R3ZESAAUYSZX6F/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-11 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630965897309-WTM7WBG3QYULJZIWK1JI/vera+zorina.jpg January 11 - January 11 Born Today: Alyson Reed Dancer Alyson Reed (1958-) began performing professionally at the age of 12 and is best known for playing the role of Cassie in the film version of A Chorus Line (1985). She got her first big break performing on Broadway in Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ (1978) and she was nominated for a Tony for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in the revival of Ron Field’s Cabaret in 1988. Since that time, she has made numerous appearances on TV shows and series, including the three High School Musical TV movies, Mad Men, ER, and The X-Files. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-19 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630966532341-IEIRMWO2JDTST4LXRJVE/vera+zorina.jpg January 19 - January 19 Born Today: Natacha Rambova Natacha Rambova (1897-1966) was best known as once being the wife of silent screen star and dancer, Rudolph Valentino (1895-1926). Inspired by ballerina Anna Pavlova (1881-1931), Rambova decided to pursue dance as a career, and she studied with Theodore Kosloff (1882-1956) in New York. She followed Kosloff to the West Coast in 1917 when he was hired by Cecil B. DeMille and Rambova found a job as a costume designer for MGM Pictures - she soon became an art director, creating both sets and costumes. Her style epitomized the Art Deco aesthetic and her study of Egyptian art and artifacts suffused her designs. ----- Ballet Premiere: Raymonda in 1898 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-9 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631020169218-XNE3GMIAFN0NSDE9MNWC/vera+zorina.jpg February 9 - February 9 Born Today: LaVaughn Robinson Tap dancer and teacher LaVaughn Robinson (1927-2008) learned his craft on the street and developed a speedy acapella style with startling rhythmic complexity in night clubs and international festivals, in a career spanning over 70 years. He partnered with Henry Meadows and others for several decades, but his best known work is a solo entitled Artistry in Taps. In the early 1980s, he began teaching at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, his hometown, creating études to help students learn rhythms and perceive differences between the styles of famous tap dancers. Also Born Today: Colorful Brazilian singer/dancer Carmen Miranda (1909-1955) appeared in Hollywood musicals during the 1940s including The Gang’s All Here (1943) in which she danced in a tutti-fruity hat. Modern dancer Anna Sokolow (1910-2000) danced with Martha Graham (1894-1991) and is best known for her politically-themed work, including Rooms (1955). Grand-daughter of band leader Duke Ellington, dancer Mercedes Ellington (1939-) assisted with choreography and performed in the Broadway show Sophisticated Ladies (1981). ----- Movie: The Broadway Melody of 1940 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-21 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967019589-BKMH0KBRCZFDSJPW1ME0/vera+zorina.jpg January 21 - January 21 Born Today: Steve Paxton Dancer Steve Paxton (1939-2024) developed Contact Improvisation, an amazing movement hybrid. It's dance, it's meditation, it's teamwork and anyone can do it, almost immediately. You can perform it, you can use it to develop choreographic ideas and partnering, and best of all - you can do it forever. Also Born Today: Dancer and Artistic Director Igor Moiseyev (1906-2007) lived to be almost 100 years old and during that time, he showed the world how amazing Russian folk dance can be when choreographed for the stage. Of course we all LOVE the Russian Dance in the Nutcracker. Now imagine an entire evening of breathtaking jumps, leaps, spins and gloriously colorful costumes. Check out the Moiseyev Dance Company on You Tube - you won't regret it. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-27 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967797323-Q1Q7UXP7ZVNG1EI1ZRDL/vera+zorina.jpg January 27 - January 27 Born Today: Mikhail Baryshnikov Perhaps the most famous dancer of the 20th century, Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-) trained at the Vaganova School and danced with the Kirov Ballet before defecting to Canada in 1974, causing a sensation when he began dancing with the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre in the 1970s. His charismatic performances in film and on TV contributed to the ‘ballet boom’ that lasted into the 1980s. He appeared in dance films The Turning Point (1977) and White Nights (1985) and he directed ABT from 1980-1989. In the 1990s, he switched gears to only performing modern and contemporary works with the White Oak Dance Project, co-founded by Mark Morris (1956-). In 2005 he established the Baryshnikov Arts Center to support dance and emerging choreographers. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Nikolai Fadeyechev (1933-2020) performed with the Bolshoi Ballet from 1952-1977 and upon retiring from the stage, he coached the next generation of Russian ballet dancers including Sergei Fillin (1970-). Ballet dancer Frank Augustyn (1953-) danced with the National Ballet of Canada and later produced TV programs on ballet history. ----- Ballet Premiere: Swan Lake in 1895 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-22 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967210756-AZ6NUWLZRDSXIZN27YM3/vera+zorina.jpg January 22 - January 22 Born Today: George Balanchine Ballet choreographer George Balanchine (1904-1983), perhaps the most influential choreographer of the 20th century, was a lifelong student of movement and made about 400 dances. You may not know that he was also a lover of cats. He credited this acrobatic feline for giving him ideas for spectacular jumps. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Theodore Kosloff (1882-1956), whose remarkable career included dancing with the original Ballets Russes, choreographing for Broadway shows in the teens, and appearances in silent films. Sylvia Waters (1940-) danced with Donald McKayle (1930-2018) and Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) before taking over artistic direction of Ailey II, a showcase for emerging dancers, from the mid-1970s until 2012. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-6 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631019904828-EDR90Z7DCFGAARY5NR70/vera+zorina.jpg February 6 - February 6 Born Today: Sammy Green Tap dancer Sammy Green (1907-1996) was a member of the performing trio Tip, Tap and Toe, along with original members Teddy Frazier (1907-?) and Raymond Winfield (1912-1997). In 1936 Broadway producer George White recruited them for his annual variety show, Scandals. They were featured in several movies in the 1930s-1940s, including Pardon My Sarong (1942), along with Katherine Dunham (1909-2006). They also performed at the Palace Theatre at the request of performer Eddie Cantor (1892-1964). A quick search on YouTube will show you their amazing work. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-7 daily 0.75 2022-05-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630965090777-ANS80FSPXBFGVVIWCTRA/vera+zorina.jpg January 7 - January 7 Born Today: Don “Campbellock” Campbell Born on the West Coast, dancer Don “Campbellock” Campbell (1951-2020) created the “locking” style of dancing, performed to funk music in the 1970s. He first appeared on the TV dance show Soul Train in 1971 and soon formed a group called The Lockers. They performed on TV shows such as the Carol Burnett show, Saturday Night Live, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Members of the group included Fred Berry (1951-2003), who would go on to star in the TV show What’s Happening!, Adolfo “Shabba Doo” Quinones, who would go on to appear in the Breakin’ (1984) movies, and Toni Basil, who would go on to sing the 1980s classic song Mickey. This style of street dance has since been incorporated under the umbrella of hip hop dance. Also Born Today: Choreographer and teacher Georgi Aleksidze (1941-2008) worked in the style of the plotless ballet and created dances with a strong connection to symphonies and concertos for many dance organizations in Russia. -------------------------------------- TV Show Premiere: Fame in 1982 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-20 daily 0.75 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630966595573-A4SU0LC50HEELN6TGM7F/vera+zorina.jpg January 20 - January 20 Born Today: Ruth St. Denis It is said that dancer Ruth St. Denis (1879-1968) was inspired to pursue a career in dance by a poster for "Egyptian Deities" cigarettes. Along with her husband and fellow dancer Ted Shawn (1891-1972), she created a teaching dynasty and toured all over the world performing dances inspired by exotic locales and peoples. To today’s sensibilities, much of their work will seem like cultural appropriation, but Papa Ted and Miss Ruth can be credited for fostering the forthcoming generation of modern dancers, including Martha Graham (1894-1991) and Doris Humphrey (1895-1958). Also Born Today: Actor and movement practitioner Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869–1955) developed the Alexander technique to overcome the loss of his voice through poor postural placement - this technique helps actors and dancers alike to avoid injury. Nakamura Utaemon VI (1917-2001) was the sixth generation in a family of kabuki performers and was considered to be the best onnagata (interpreter of female roles) of his generation. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-26 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967700434-6Q3S5CNP5DL3Z2YYAGW5/vera+zorina.jpg January 26 - January 26 Born Today: Li Cunxin Li Cunxin (1961-), whose story was made into the movie Mao's Last Dancer (2009), danced with the Houston Ballet for 16 years. Iinitially invited to study in the United States by Ben Stevenson (1936-), Houston Ballet’s artistic director, after a teaching stint at the Bejing Academy in China, Cunxin defected to the United States in order to stay and perform. In 1995, he and his family moved to Australia so he could perform with the Australian Ballet, and upon retiring from performing in 1999, he became a stockbroker full time. In 2012 he was invited to be the Artistic Director at the Queensland Ballet. ----- Dance Premiere: Lilac Garden in 1936 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-13 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630966043665-Z29YIY69Q9GK00FVT552/vera+zorina.jpg January 13 - January 13 Born Today: Gwen Verdon You may know Gwen Verdon (1925-2000) from the excellent TV series Fosse/Verdon, but you may not know that when she met Bob Fosse (1927-1987), the choreographer who would go on to make her most memorable dance roles, Verdon was already a rising star on Broadway, having wowed audiences in Michael Kidd’s Can-Can (1953). For the show Damn Yankees (1955 Broadway) Fosse created a playful striptease for her, in the number Whatever Lola Wants. Check out her performance in the 1958 movie version of Damn Yankees - her performance is riveting. She created memorable performances in several other Broadway shows, including Redhead (1959), Sweet Charity (1966), and Chicago (1975), but Verdon didn’t return to film until 1984, in the dance movie The Cotton Club. Also Born Today: Modern dance choreographer and teacher, Bella Lewitzky (1916-2004). Ballet dancer and choreographer Roland Petit (1924-2011), best known for his haunting piece Le Jeune Homme et la Morte (1946). Janet Hubert (1956-) is perhaps best known as the original Aunt Viv on the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Before that part, she originated the role of Tantomile in the musical Cats (1982). Ballet choreographer Matthew Bourne (1960-), created the groundbreaking production of Swan Lake featuring an all-male cast of dancers. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-4 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631019678614-SG2PXULRVEEHX4USE9QH/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-1 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631019160748-T2QQ4LYXSCIBG8GNAQVX/vera+zorina.jpg February 1 - February 1 Born Today: Mari Bicknell Dancer Mari Bicknell (1914-2003) performed with Sadler’s Wells Ballet before founding the Cambridge Ballet Workshop, a company that taught young dancers and provided them performance opportunities beginning in 1950 under the name Let’s Make a Ballet. She directed the group until 1980, regularly commissioning scores from British composers. Also Born Today: Father of a ballet dynasty including dancers Nikolai Legat 1869-1937) and Sergei Legat (1875-1905), Gustav Legat (1837-1895) studied with Marius Petipa (1818 - 1910) and danced with the Maryinsky Theatre from 1857-1869 and with Bolshoi Ballet until 1875. Dancer Waldeen Falkenstein (1913-1993) was born in Dallas, but followed choreographer Seki Sano (1905-1966) to Mexico and established ballet companies there and in Cuba. Ballerina Marina Kondratieva (1934-) performed with the Bolshoi Ballet from 1952-1980 and is best known for creating the role of Katerina in The Stone Flower (1959). Ballerina Ekaterina Maximova (1939-2009), performed with the Bolshoi Ballet from 1958-1980, often partnered by her husband, dancer (and later Bolshoi Director) Vladimir Vasiliev (1940-). ----- Movie: The Broadway Melody released in 1929 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-5 daily 0.75 2021-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631019796901-XU4DUSI7Q49HKO7HRA7N/vera+zorina.jpg February 5 - February 5 Born Today: Ulla Poulsen Ballerina Ulla Poulsen (1905-2001) studied the Bourneville method at the Royal Danish Ballet School and began performing with the company in 1921. She modeled for a series of portraits painted by her friend Gerda Wegener and studied with Tamara Karsavina (1885-1978) and danced in George Balanchine’s Shéhérazade during his time in Copenhagen during the early 1930s. She also performed the title role in The Widow in the Mirror (1934), a more contemporary ballet piece set apart from the Bournonville tradition. --------------------- Broadway Premiere: Redhead in 1959 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-18 daily 0.75 2021-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630966454201-GPAEU4VBPY77JRPG9MRV/vera+zorina.jpg January 18 - January 18 Born Today: Danny Kaye Dancer and comedian Danny Kaye (1911-1987) starred in musical comedy films in the 1940s-1950s including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) and White Christmas (1954). His career in entertainment began in a dance act on the vaudeville circuit in 1933. His physicality, pantomime, and expressive skills translated well in nightclub acts, where he was discovered by Broadway director Moss Hart, who cast him in Lady in the Dark in 1941. His comic delivery of novelty songs earned him a radio show and he was often engaged to comically conduct orchestras for charitable causes, and most audiences never knew he couldn’t read music. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-8 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631020061019-ICEL6BMXBPHFV6DA12MJ/vera+zorina.jpg February 8 - February 8 Born Today: Deborah Jowitt Dance author/critic Deborah Jowitt (1934-) trained as a modern/contemporary dancer and appeared in the works of Doris Humphrey (1895-1958) and Anna Sokolow (1910-2000), among others. Jowitt began writing a weekly column for The Village Voice newspaper in 1967 and she serves on the faculty of Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. She has written several books, including the seminal text, Time and the Dancing Image (1989), which has often been used as a resource for dance history courses. Her writing style favors both sumptuous description and clear prose. Also Born Today: French cabaret singer/dancer Georges Guétary (1915-1997) is best known for Stairway to Paradise number on lighted stairs in the movie An American in Paris (1951), alongside Gene Kelly (1912-1996). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-7 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631019986016-2BQ4NAUESTZP41C7NQVZ/vera+zorina.jpg February 7 - February 7 Born Today: Patsy Swayze Patsy Swayze (1927-2013), mother of dancer/actor Patrick Swayze (1952-2009) began studying dance for therapy after being hit by a car. She studied ballet and jazz and later founded the Houston Jazz Ballet Company and taught classes at her self-named dance studio. Besides her son, she taught dancer Debbie Allen (1950-), actor Jaclyn Smith, and choreographer/dancer Tommy Tune (1939-). In 1980 she choreographed Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta (1954-) and went on to choreograph several other films. Also Born Today: Dancer/choreographer and composer Gasparo Angiolini (1731-1803) sought to combine theatrical elements into a pantomime-ballet and who challenged the claim that Jean-George Noverre (1727-1810) solely created the ballet d’action, dance performance using pantomime and expressive gesture that negated the need for dialogue. Soviet, and Russian ice dancer Irina Moiseeva (1925-2021) competed in the Olympics in the 1970s and early 1980s. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-10 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631020251285-CRNFYCQ8U32NWGOYEOHZ/vera+zorina.jpg February 10 - February 10 Born Today: Virginia Zucchi Italian ballerina Virginia Zucchi (1849-1933) studied with Carlo Blasis (1797-1878) and spent several years dancing in Russia, at the insistence of the Tsar. Her virtuosic dancing and fiery persona inspired Russian dancers and audiences alike, and her pointe shoes were strong enough in 1885 to perform an entire solo en pointe (on her toes) - a rare feat of the feet at that time. It wasn’t until 1887 that Salvatore Capezio (1871-1940) established his company, which would eventually revolutionize pointe and other dance shoes. Zucchi retired from performing in 1898 and opened a dance school in Monte Carlo. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-29 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967991703-C0Q8A8UMNRG0TK7RN0T5/vera+zorina.jpg January 29 - January 29 Born Today: Josefina Lavalle Dancer Josefina Lavalle (1924-2009) studied ballet with Nellie and Gloria Campobello in Mexico City and Lavalle co-founded the Mexican National Ballet with Guillermina Bravo (1920-2013). Lavalle danced with the Ballet of Fine Arts, helmed by Waldeen Falkenstein (1913-1993), and became interested in contemporary dance when introduced to the work of José Limón (1908-1972), later winning the arts award named after Limón in 1989 for her service to the dance field. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Elizaveta Gerdt (1891-1975), daughter of dancer Pavel Gerdt (1844-1917), studied with Michel Fokine (1880-1942) at the Russian Imperial Ballet School and chose to stay and dance in Russia after the 1917 revolution, retiring in 1928 to teach for the Soviet schools at the Bolshoi school, among others. Ballet dancer André Leclair (1930-) danced with Roland Petit’s company, the Norwegian National Ballet and other companies in the 1940s and 1950s and later choreographed for the Royal Ballet of Flanders. ----- Broadway Premiere: Sweet Charity in 1966 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-3 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631019560266-H28T8U4FKYXP0VFK4LJ2/vera+zorina.jpg February 3 - February 3 Born Today: Glen Tetley Dancer Glen Tetley (1926-2007) left medical school to study dance, and his remarkable facility allowed him to excel in ballet and modern dance. He also performed on Broadway in Kiss Me Kate (1948), choreographed by modern pioneer Hanya Holm (1893-1992). Tetley was an original member of the Joffrey Ballet and later created works fusing ballet and modern dance for dance companies including Netherlands Dance Company, Stuttgart Ballet (both of which he directed for a time), American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, and the National Ballet of Canada. Also Born Today: Modern dance pioneer Gertrude Bodenwieser (1890-1959), a professor of dance in Vienna, who was forced to flee Europe for Australia in 1938, where she later founded the Bodenweiser Ballet (1939-1959), one of the first modern dance companies in the country. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-14 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630966147538-X541WRN6BNXUV1H1HHRY/vera+zorina.jpg January 14 - January 14 Born Today: Sun Ock Lee Korean dancer Sun Ock Lee (1943-) began studying traditional Korean dance at the age of nine and relocated to the United States in 1969 and performed worldwide, forming the Lee Sun-ock Zen Dance Company in 1974. In the 1980s she published two volumes about Zen dance and she began collecting traditional Korean dance forms and coordinating dance festivals featuring Korean and Asian dance in New York. She teaches Zen Dance: Meditation in Movement, a combination of modern and zen practices, in Hawaii. Also Born Today: Co-founder of the Joffrey Ballet, Gerald Arpino (1923-2008). Ballerina Moscelyne Larkin (1925-2012) of the Eastern Shawnee-Peoria Indian tribes, one of the “Five Moons” - a collection of Native American ballerinas dancing during the 20th century. She danced with both of the later Ballet Russe companies and founded the Tulsa Ballet. Canadian dancer/choreographer Pierre-Paul Savoie (1955-2021) founded PPS Danse in Montreal. ----- Broadway Premiere: Fosse in 1999 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-15 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630966213854-ML7TFPFQ6FLLRH25GLYT/vera+zorina.jpg January 15 - January 15 Born Today: Loie Fuller Dancer Loie Fuller (1862-1928) helped to expand the definition of dance in the late 1800s and elevated the vaudeville-based, and often burlesque-leaning, skirt dancing to an art form. Fascinated with the play of light on moving silk, she designed a voluminous skirt manipulated by long rods. She left for Europe in 1892, gaining an enthusiastic following for her regular performances at the Folies Bergère in Paris. Unfortunately there is no film of Fuller dancing, however one can view the astonishing effects in the Serpentine Dance, filmed by the Lumiére brothers. French artists, scientists, and philosophers sought out her company and she is the holder of multiple patents for lighting advances and techniques she used to astonish her audiences. She also helped the young iconoclast Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) secure performance bookings overseas to introduce Europe to her version of free/improvisational dance. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer/choreographer Jean Coralli (1779-1854), who collaborated with dancer Jules Perrot (1810-1892) to create the Romantic-era ballet Giselle in 1841. American ballet dancer John Kriza (1919-1975) danced with ABT for 25 years and created roles in seminal ballets such as Fancy Free (1944) and Fall River Legend (1948). High-heeled tap dancer Tina Pratt (1935-). Ghanaian drummer and dancer Obo Addy (1936-2012). Broadway choreographer Jerry Mitchell (1960-), best known for The Full Monty (2000), Legally Blonde (2007), and Kinky Boots (2013). ------------------ Ballet Premiere: The Sleeping Beauty in 1890 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-17 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630966391396-4S3N70FRU9SU5OTM198K/vera+zorina.jpg January 17 - January 17 Born Today: Moira Shearer Ballerina Moira Shearer (1926-2006) is best known for her starring role in the dance movie The Red Shoes (1948), a film that has inspired generations of dancers. She studied with Nikolas Legat (1869-1937) and at the Sadler’s Wells Ballet School, later dancing for the company starting in 1942. She retired from ballet a little over a decade later, but continued to act in several movies, even starring in the controversial pre-slasher film Peeping Tom (1960). Additionally, she wrote articles on ballet for The Daily Telegraph newspaper and educated audiences worldwide about dance. Also Born Today: Ballerina Nora Kaye (1920-1987) danced in works by George Balanchine (1904-1983) and Antony Tudor (1908-1987) and married dancer/film director Herbert Ross (1927-2001). Together they produced dance movies such as The Turning Point (1977), Nijinsky (1980), Pennies from Heaven (1981) and Dancers (1987). Dancer/choreographer Ulysses Dove (1947-1996) performed with the Ailey company from 1973-1980, when he began choreographing for ballet companies including NYCB, ABT, and London Festival Ballet. Brazilian dancer/choreographer Ismael Ivo (1955-2021) danced with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and directed the Biennale Danza in Venice — he died of COVID in 2021. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-12 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630965974574-LVVY916CR28LPYPR7NCR/vera+zorina.jpg January 12 - January 12 Born Today: José Limón Modern dancer José Limón (1908-1972) was inspired to pursue dance after seeing early modern dancer Harald Kreutzberg (1902-1968) perform. Limón began taking class at the Humphrey-Weidman school and danced with the company in the 1930s. On Broadway, he choreographed the musical Roberta (1933) and also appeared in several other shows and was drafted into military service in 1943. Following WWII, he founded his own company in 1946, inviting his mentor Doris Humphrey (1895-1958) to be the artistic director. The company produced her work and his own, a model which helped the company survive his death. His masterpiece, The Moor’s Pavane (1949), succinctly retells Othello in a tightly choreographed quartet. Also Born Today: Composer Louis Horst (1884-1964), worked with Martha Graham (1894-1991) for many years and taught inspiring choreography classes. Choreographer Kurt Jooss (1901-1979) was a student of Rudolf von Laban (1879-1958) and his political masterpiece, The Green Table (1932), still resonates today. Victor Gsovsky (1902-1974) was the ballet master for the Paris Opera and many other European dance organizations. Anna Kisselgoff (1938-) served as the chief dance critic at the New York Times for almost 30 years. Andre De Shields (1946-) starred on Broadway in The Wiz (1975) and choreographed two musicals for Bette Midler. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-23 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967388454-1ZC6A7VVSMG0555V0O3S/vera+zorina.jpg January 23 - January 23 Born Today: Chita Rivera Chita Rivera (1933-2024) was the original Velma Kelly in the Broadway premiere of Chicago in 1975 and starred in many other stage musicals including West Side Story (1957) and Bye Bye Birdie (1960). Not many dancers get their own Broadway biography musical, but Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life premiered in 2005. And not many get the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but she did in 2009. Also Born Today: Choreographer and modern dance technique creator Lester Horton (1906-1953), whose sudden death led company member Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) to relocate to NYC and found his own company and keep the Horton Technique alive. Ballet dancer/choreographer Nina Anisimova (1909-1979) studied under Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951) and danced many roles at the Kirov before becoming a choreographer. Rod Alexander (1920-1992) co-choreographed the movie version of Carousel (1956) and for other Broadway shows as well. ----- Dance Premiere: Le Corsaire in 1856 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-28 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630967904880-NT8BDJUUAH82OMI587B0/vera+zorina.jpg January 28 - January 28 Born Today: Rennie Harris Hip hop dancer/choreographer Rennie Harris (1964-) began dancing in Philadelphia around the age of 12, inspired by Don Campbell (1951-2020) and his group, The Lockers. Harris founded Rennie Harris PureMovement in 1992 and RHAW (R.H. Awe-Inspiring Works) in 2007, merging hip hop dance with concert dance and he founded the Illadelph Legends of Hip Hop Festival in 1998, helping to pass on the knowledge to the next generation of hip hop dancers. He teaches at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Texas during the school year and has been invited to choreograph for contemporary modern and ballet companies alike. Also Born Today: Broadway and film choreographer Robert Alton (1906-1957 ) created dances for shows in the 1930s-1950s, including Anything Goes (1934), Pal Joey (1940), and movies The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) and Show Boat (1951). Tap dancer Ludie Jones (1916-2018) formed several dance groups that performed with Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway in the 1940s and a senior tapping group called the Tapping Seniors in the 1980s. ----- Today in Dance: On January 28, 1393 King Charles VI of France was nearly killed when several dancers' costumes caught fire during a masquerade ball. Movie: The Goldwyn Follies released in 1938 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-4 daily 0.75 2025-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630964558067-BVE28WMDNFCNHDINC8RE/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/january-10 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1630965605390-O88OP0FXH3NU25YVLGKR/vera+zorina.jpg January 10 - January 10 Born Today: Ray Bolger The performance of wobbly-legged dancer Ray Bolger (1904-1987) as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939) is a masterpiece of bonelessness and comedic physicality - you forget he is dancing and wonder where his skeleton went. He was in his mid-thirties in the movie and I think he could teach a thing or two to today’s young hip hop dancers. Also Born Today: Japanese ballet dancer Mikiko Matsuyama (1923-2021) is best known for adapting a Chinese film, The White-Haired Girl into a ballet in 1955, and she continued to promote Chinese-Japanese cultural exchange throughout her career. Ballet dancer Ludmilla Chiriaeff (1924-1996) escaped a Nazi labor camp and later founded the troupe that became Les Grand Ballets Canadiens. Rosella Hightower (1920-2008 - Choctaw Nation) who was one of the Five Moons, a group of Native American ballerinas honored for their artistry in the 20th century. Postmodern dancer who performed with Merce Cunningham’s company, Remy Charlip (1929-2012) later wrote children’s books. ------ Broadway Premiere: Finian's Rainbow in 1947 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-13 daily 0.75 2021-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631020741722-DJ4AW1AQ55AQE93DZMSC/vera+zorina.jpg February 13 - February 13 Born Today: Ethan Stiefel Ballet dancer Ethan Stiefel (1973-) studied at the School of American Ballet and joined the NYCB company from 1989-1997, when he joined ABT as a principal until 2012. He was a guest artist for ballet companies worldwide, including the Australian Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and the Maryinsky Ballet and took over the directorship of American Repertory Ballet in 2020. He is perhaps best known for his role in the ballet movie Center Stage (2000) and his appearance in the film, Born to Be Wild--Leading Men of the ABT (2007), alongside Ángel Corella (1975-) and José Manuel Carreño (1968-). Also Born Today: Imperial Ballet Company dancer and later member of the original Ballets Russes, Pierre Vladimiroff (1893-1970), later taught at the newly-established School of American Ballet from 1934-1967. Vladimiroff shared a birthday with his wife, Felia Doubrovska (1896-1981), who danced with the Maryinsky Ballet, the Ballets Russes, and also taught at the SAB until 1980. ----- Movie: Cabaret released in 1972 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-12 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631020653005-DEWQ148M5F0H225N4H5C/vera+zorina.jpg February 12 - February 12 Born Today: Anna Pavlova Ballerina Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) is best known for her solo, The Dying Swan (1905). In the early 1920s, she was captivated by the dances of India, inviting Uday Shankar (1900-1977) to collaborate on several pieces. Shankar then dedicated his life to dance and toured the world. According to Judith Mackrell in The Guardian, in 1948, Shankar choreographed and directed the movie Kalpana, an early, ground-breaking dance musical that inspired the future direction of Bollywood films. Pavlova’s last request was for her swan costume and one wonders what she might think of the trajectory of her brief collaboration with Shankar. Also Born Today: Paris Opera ballet dancer Lycette Darsonval (1912-1996) who won the right to be the only dancer to perform the role of Giselle from 1936-1949, when she passed the role on to Yvette Chauviré (1917-2016) in the second act. Armenian-born ballet dancer Vilen Galstyan (1941-2021) appeared in more than sixty films and performed at the Bolshoi and with the Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theatre, where he served as chief choreographer starting in 2013. Ross Coleman (1949-), is best known for choreographing the Broadway version of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (2011), based on the film from 1994. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-19 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026979227-GZUEATWXMGEU4XD13HOM/vera+zorina.jpg March 19 - March 19 Born Today: Louis Johnson Versatile dancer/choreographer Louis Johnson (1930?-2020) moved to New York in 1950 to study dance at the School of American Ballet and danced in the work of Jerome Robbins (1918-1998). Johnson performed on Broadway in House of Flowers (1954) and Damn Yankees (1955) - and went on to dance in the movie version as well. He created dances for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and choreographed the movie version of The Wiz (1978), starring a young Michael Jackson (1958-2009). Also Born Today: Original member of The Lockers dance group, led by Don “Campbellock” Campbell (1951-2020), dancer Fred Berry (1951-2003) went on to star in the 1970s TV show What’s Happening!!. Ballerina Nina Ananiashvili (1964-) danced for ABT and the Houston Ballet in the 1990s before returning to her native Georgia in 2004 to direct the State Ballet of Georgia in Tbilisi. Ballet dancer/choreographer Thiago Bordin (1983-) danced with the Hamburg Ballett from 2001-2014 and is a freelance choreographer. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-23 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631022117061-S5UHB1PJTDXOI1QU2D11/vera+zorina.jpg February 23 - February 23 Born Today: Elizabeth Streb Dance performance artist Elizabeth Streb (1950-) danced with several contemporary groups including Margaret Jenkins (1942-) and Molissa Fenley (1954-) before establishing her own company, STREB/Ringside in 1975. Streb’s work can be characterized as daredevil dance, featuring elements of physical risk in the choreography, which might be performed around swinging masonry blocks or on a huge trampoline. Also Born Today: Mysterious modern dance choreographer Sybil Shearer (1912-2005), who left New York City to work in Chicago. Butoh performer and founder of the company Dairakudakan Temputenshiki, Akaji Maro (1943-). Choreographer and co-founding director of the gender-bending and hilarious Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dance company, Peter Anastos (1948-). Ballerina prodigy Sylvie Guillem (1965-), who began dancing at the age of 11 and only five years later was dancing professionally. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-17 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631021112621-MVT00HIS0ZQIPP7R0JEE/vera+zorina.jpg February 17 - February 17 Born Today: Ganjiro Nakamura II Kabuki dancer Ganjiro Nakamura II (1902-1983) was a second-generation performer who, like his father, excelled in the regional Kamigata style, but he also became a famous onnagata (female impersonator), taking the name Gangiro II in 1946. He appeared in movies and on TV and in non-kabuki stage roles and in 1967 won the honored designation of an Intangible Cultural Property. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Todd Bolender (1919-2006), who performed with NYCB from 1936-1972, dancing in the original version of The Four Temperaments (1946) and later he led the Kansas City Ballet from 1981-1995. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-22 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631022031792-27LDFA4UAIEL35VLQ0AG/vera+zorina.jpg February 22 - February 22 Born Today: Taheyya Carioca Egyptian belly dancer Taheyya Carioca (1915-1999) performed the art of raqs sharqi and contributed to the elevated status of Middle Eastern dance, a form that has been largely misunderstood over the centuries. She began her professional career dancing in nightclubs and appeared in many Egyptian movies and TV shows. Carioca married 15 different husbands and retired from dancing in 1963 to run her own theatre. Also Born Today: Dance photographer and former dancer Martha Swope (1928-2017). Mia Michaels (1966-), choreographer and judge for TV show So You Think You Can Dance. Ballet/flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés (1969-). --------------------- Movie: The Little Colonel released in 1935 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-20 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631021360110-IYAOLXVOR84QVGATV85K/vera+zorina.jpg February 20 - February 20 Born Today: Marie Rambert Among other amazing accomplishments, Marie Rambert (1888-1982) directed dance concerts at the postage-stamp-sized Mercury Theatre in London - a reconditioned church that also housed her dance school. The talent she discovered was legendary - including choreographers Antony Tudor (1908-1987) and Frederick Ashton (1904-1988), whose works remain in ballet company repertories internationally. Also Born Today: Danish ballerina Augusta Nielsen (1822-1902), who stopped performing in 1849 after being jeered offstage by a crowd convinced that she wore priceless jewels onstage (they were props). Modern dancer/choreographer Jean Erdman (1916-2020) danced with Martha Graham (1894-1981) and was married to Joseph Campbell, author of The Power of Myth, a ground-breaking book that also inspired her work. Ballerina Mia Slavenska (1916-2002) danced for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and was featured in the film Mia: A Dancer’s Journey (2014), about her remarkable life, filmed by her daughter. Choreographer Gillian Lynne (1926-2018), who we can thank for creating the blockbuster shows Cats and Phantom of the Opera. ------- Ballet Premiere: Carnaval in 1910 Movie: Follow the Fleet released in 1936 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-13 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026582264-TJAWU1XNPQE4C10ERBS2/vera+zorina.jpg March 13 - March 13 Born Today: Igor Youskevitch Ballet dancer Igor Youskevitch (1912?-1994) began his training at the age of 20 and made his first appearance onstage shortly afterwards, and in 1937 he joined the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo company. In 1946 he began dancing with ABT and partnered Alicia Alonso (1920-2019), and a decade later he appeared in the film Invitation to the Dance, directed by Gene Kelly (1912-1996). Upon retiring from performing, he taught in the University of Texas dance program from 1971 until 1982. Also Born Today: Choreographer/dancer Joseph Mazilier (1797-1868), best known for his ballets Paquita (1844) and Le Corsaire (1856), both of which remain in repertory internationally. Impresario René Blum (1878-1942) co-founded the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and died in the Auschwitz camp sometime in 1942. Irina Baronova (1919-2008) was one of the Baby Ballerinas of the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and she appeared in the 2005 Ballets Russes documentary film. Ballet dancer Christopher Gable, (1940-1998) danced for the Royal Ballet in the 1960s before pursuing acting in films such as the musical The Boy Friend (1971). Estonian dancer/choreographer Ülo Vilimaa (1941-2021) performed with the Vanemuine Theatre from 1962–1974, and served as ballet master from 1974–1997. Ballerina Lesley Collier (1947-) also danced with the Royal Ballet and began teaching at the school in 1995. ------ Broadway Premiere: Brigadoon in 1947 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-23 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631040108826-POLGGJL1WKZK34N2BMYY/vera+zorina.jpg March 23 - March 23 Born Today: Joan Crawford Controversial Hollywood film star Joan Crawford (1904?-1977), best known as an Academy Award winning dramatic actress and from the scorching memoir/movie Mommie Dearest (1981), penned by her daughter Cristina. However, in her youth, Joan was a starlet who danced with Fred Astaire (1899-1987) in his first film appearance, in Dancing Lady (1933). Crawford would go on to star in dramatic films, including The Women (1939) and Mildred Pierce (1945). Also Born Today: Dancer/choreographer Hope Clarke (1941-) performed in the companies of Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) and Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) and choreographed Jelly’s Last Jam (1992) on Broadway. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-24 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631022209851-L5MDXZMORTCG5CPYUTIZ/vera+zorina.jpg February 24 - February 24 Born Today: Irmgard Bartenieff Irmgard Bartenieff (1900-1981) developed fundamental movement principles, based on the work of Rudolf Laban (1879-1958) and her work as a dance therapist. She is credited with helping polio patients and young children cope with unruly bodies. Her work is fundamental to our current understanding of imagery and movement in relation to the surrounding space, and although she is not well known outside of the dance field, Bartenieff’s ideas and methods have informed physical therapy and other body therapies. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Edouard Borovansky (1902-1959), who created the foundation for the first national ballet company, The Australian Ballet. Ballet dancer Wakefield Poole (1936-2021) performed with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo starting in 1957 and appears in the 2005 Ballets Russes documentary. Choreographer John Neumeier (1942-), has been the director of the Hamburg Ballet since 1973. Ukranian dancer/choreographer Grigoriy Chapkis (1930-2021) performed with the Pavlo Virsky ensemble and was a judge for Dancing with the Stars starting in 2006. Chapkis died of COVID in 2021. Tap dancer Sarah Petronio (1944-), who was mentored by legendary tap dancer Jimmy Slyde (1927-2008) in Paris, and later produced tap dance festivals in Chicago in the 1990s. ------------------------ Movie: Hit the Deck released in 1955 Broadway Premiere: Silk Stockings in 1955 Dance Premiere: Rooms in 1955 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-5 daily 0.75 2021-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025261294-Z6ZLW9GWGKN3ED2UCLS5/vera+zorina.jpg March 5 - March 5 Born Today: Shura Baryshnikov Daughter of actor Jessica Lange and ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-), Shura Baryshnikov (1981-) trained in classical ballet as a youngster and in contemporary dance in college. She danced with several companies and co-founded Doppelganger Dance Collective. She teaches dance at Brown University and in several other schools in the Northeast and has created works with Boston-area choreographers. Also Born Today: Dancer Konstantin Sergeyev (1910-1992) partnered ballerina Galina Ulanova (1910-1998) in the 1930s and 1940s and later was the Artistic Director for the Kirov. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-7 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025400583-CU8NWEEEA7UH7B65Y6MB/vera+zorina.jpg March 7 - March 7 Born Today: Janet Collins Cousin of modern dancer Carmen de Lavallade (1931-), ballerina Janet Collins (1917-2003) also studied with modern dancer Lester Horton (1906-1953) and with ballet dancer Adolph Bolm (1884-1951) - two of a very few teachers who would accept black students at the time. Collins was accepted to dance with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, but she refused to paint her skin lighter and declined to perform with the company. Instead she performed with Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) for a time. After seeing her performance on Broadway in Out of This World (1950), Collins was invited to perform for the Metropolitan Opera ballet, the first black ballerina to do so. She taught at the School of American Ballet and at Marymount Manhattan College for two decades and retired from teaching and dancing in the mid-1970s. Also Born Today: Proponent of the Delsarte system of expressive movement, Genevieve Stebbins (1857-1934) developed Harmonic Gymnastics, a movement method designed to give young women a creative outlet for physical exercise. Dancer Myra Chouteau (1929-2016) was one of the Five Moons, a group of Native-American ballerinas from Oklahoma. She founded the dance program at the University of Oklahoma in 1962. American modern dancer, Carolyn Carlson (1943-) has created work in Europe for several decades. Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler (1970-) created dances for the blockbuster Broadway hit, Hamilton (2015) . https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-26 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631022369021-PM1UVMGZ4XC5MQ3R4WH3/vera+zorina.jpg February 26 - February 26 Born Today: Bunny Briggs Legendary tap dancer Bunny Briggs (1922-2014) was inspired to dance early on after seeing legendary tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (1878-1949) perform live. Like many of his peers, Briggs learned to dance by watching and mimicking other tap dancers as he developed his own style. He began performing at the age of five, later joining Big Band music groups in the 1940s and he appeared on TV variety shows in the 1960s. During the 1990s revitalization of tap dance, Briggs became a mentor to Savion Glover (1973-), one of the next generation of tap dancers. Also Born Today: Lithuanian-born Vytautas Beliajus (1908-1994) is responsible for popularizing and teaching international folk dance in the United States and he founded the folklore magazine Viltis. Susanna Egri (1926-) taught and performed modern dance throughout Italy in the 1950s and 1960s, supporting the development of the art form. Dancer Damita Jo Freeman (1953-) was a Soul Train dancer who performed with Don “Campbellock” Campbell (1951-2020) in the 1970s and appeared in movies in the 1980s. ----------------- Broadway Premiere: Jerome Robbins' Broadway in 1989 Movie: Hairspray (the John Waters version) released in 1988 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-27 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631022441040-O7D6Y5N9R685Q3Y7VZKY/vera+zorina.jpg February 27 - February 27 Born Today: Antoinette Sibley Ballerina Antoinette Sibley (1939-) joined the Royal Ballet in 1956 and was best known for her partnership with dancer Anthony Dowell (1943-). Sibley created roles in the ballets The Dream (1964) and Enigma Variations (1968) by Frederick Ashton (1904-1988) and in Manon (1974) by Kenneth MacMillan (1929-1992). She retired in 1989 and became the president of the Royal Academy of Dance and continued to serve the organization where she learned to dance and spent her entire career. Also Born Today: Ballerina Mariia Surovshchikova-Petipa (1836-1882), was the wife of choreographer Marius Petipa (1818-1910) and the mother of ballerina Marie Mariusovna Petipa (1857-1930). Dancer Vakhtang Chabukiani (1910-1992), was a Soviet ballet star whose dancing in key classical variations defined them for the upcoming generation of dancers. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-21 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631021960648-KAA2KY39ZUT7RGEW30B6/vera+zorina.jpg February 21 - February 21 Born Today: Vasili Vainonen Choreographer Vasili Vainonen (1901-1964) worked for the Kirov Ballet (now known as the Maryinski Ballet) from 1930-1938. He is best known for his 1934 version of The Nutcracker, parts of which have been used by Russian-born choreographers Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-) and Yuri Grigorovich (1927-). Vainonen’s other famous work, Flames of Paris (1932), explored the French Revolution. He continued remaking famous ballets from the 1930s to the 1960s. ------- Ballet Premiere: Carmen in 1949 (Roland Petit version) https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-3 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025131256-XF9B88LAMND1YBAW18ZH/vera+zorina.jpg March 3 - March 3 Born Today: Hanya Holm Modern dancer pioneer Hanya Holm (1893-1992) is considered one of the “Big Four” founders of American Modern Dance, along with Martha Graham (1894-1991), Doris Humphrey (1895-1958), and Charles Weidman (1901-1975), and her choreographic gifts were diverse. Besides creating groundbreaking modern dances, she is also known in the musical theatre world for her choreography of original Broadway productions including Kiss Me Kate (1948), My Fair Lady (1956) and Camelot (1960). Also Born Today: Versatile kabuki actor/dancer Nakamura Utaemon III (1778-1813) played onnagata (female roles), tachiyaku (young adult male roles), and villains, and founded methods for playing multiple bunraku (puppet theatre) roles. Italian ballerina Luciana Novaro (1923-2021) performed at La Scala between 1941–1956 and choreographed for the Vienna State Opera and briefly directed La Scala Ballet Company in the 1960s. Dancer Karole Armitage (1954-), known as the ‘punk’ ballerina, danced the works of ballet choreographer George Balanchine (1904-1983) and postmodern choreographer Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) before forming her own company and creating works combining the two techniques. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-16 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026770396-DITVNBIHB41VHJJP3MXY/vera+zorina.jpg March 16 - March 16 Born Today: Mary Hinkson Multi-talented dancer Mary Hinkson (1925-2014) excelled at both ballet and modern dance, even though she did not begin formal dance training until college. She performed with Martha Graham (1894-1991) in the 1950s through the early 1970s, for ballet choreographer John Butler (1918-1993) in his works with the New York Metropolitan Opera, including Bluebeard’s Castle and Carmina Burana, and for modern/ballet choreographer Glen Tetley (1926-2007). Hinkson and her close friend Matt Turney (1925-2009) experienced many firsts in their careers, they were the first black students to attend the University of Wisconsin dance program and the first black dancers to perform with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Hinkson performed lead roles in pieces Graham handed down including Cave of the Heart (1946) and Clytemnestra (1958) and briefly co-directed the company, along with dancer Bertram Ross (1920-2003) in the early 1970s. Hinkson retired from dancing in 1973. ------ Broadway Premiere: 1776 in 1969 Movie: Golddiggers of 1935 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-30 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041274177-GSPE4FVR6JK0PZK6E6AJ/vera+zorina.jpg March 30 - March 30 Born Today: MC Hammer Stanley Burrell, aka MC Hammer (1962-) began as a self-taught dancer, performing as a youngster on the street and was hired by the Oakland A’s as a batboy from 1973-1980. It was the team that nicknamed him ‘Hammer’ for his resemblance to baseball great Hank Aaron. Burrell performed gospel rap locally and gathered a group of back-up dancers together and began releasing music in the late 1980s. Hammer’s breakout song, U Can’t Touch This (1990) catapulted him to pop-rap superstardom and he is best remembered for wearing blowsy ‘Hammer Pants’ and performing a sideways jittery dance move called the “Hammer Dance” or “The Typewriter”. ----- Broadway Premiere: Applause in 1970 and Contact in 2000 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-28 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631022509571-310EAH1E30KMIR1EUED0/vera+zorina.jpg February 28 - February 28 Born Today: Tommy Tune Gloriously tall Texan, Tommy Tune (1939-) is best known for choreographing The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, seen on Broadway in 1978. He followed up with A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine (1980), Nine (1982), and Grand Hotel (1989), winning numerous Tony Awards. If you want to see him dancing, check out dance movies Hello Dolly (1969) and The Boyfriend (1971). Also Born Today: Dancer Gemze de Lappe (1922-2017) was a frequent partner of James Mitchell (see February 29). Actor/dancer Charles Durning (1923-2012), was featured in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (movie-1982). Modern dancer/choreographer Bill Cratty (1951-). Broadway dancer Carole “Kelly” Bishop (1944-), before appearing in TV show Gilmore Girls, won a Tony for her role of Sheila in the original cast of A Chorus Line (1975). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-29 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631022674799-M8M4WZCO4JR9WGE4K7R9/vera+zorina.jpg February 29 - February 29 Born Today: Rukmini Devi Bharatanatyam dancer Rukmini Devi (1904-1986) is credited with reviving the dance form practiced by temple Devadasis and popularizing the art form around the world. Devi became friends with ballerina Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) in the late 1920s after working with traditional dancer Uday Shankar (1900-1977), and it was Pavlova who encouraged Devi to explore traditional Indian dance. Devi altered the original dance, called sadhir, removing the erotic elements and renamed it Bharatanatyam. She introduced the new form to scholars, writers, and performers, who supported the adoption of the dance form in 20th century India. Also Born Today: Not much is known about dancer Eva Marie Veigel (1724-1822) except that she married famed actor David Garrick and retired from dancing shortly afterwards. Dancer James Mitchell (1920-2010) is best known for dancing the ‘dream ballet’ role of Curley in the movie version of Oklahoma! (1955). He later became well-known for his longtime role as Palmer Cortlandt from 1979-2010 on the soap opera All My Children. Burlesque performer Tempest Storm (1928-2021) appeared in several movies in the 1950s and danced for many years at the El Rey Theatre in Oakland, CA, before retiring in 1995 at the age of 67. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-11 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026406469-8SAM3M1OFWZO46VWM0JN/vera+zorina.jpg March 11 - March 11 Born Today: Marius Petipa French dancer and choreographer Marius Petipa (1818-1910) relocated to the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatre in Russia and proceeded to create many of the ballets seen in ballet company repertories to this day – Don Quixote (1869), La Bayadère (1877), The Sleeping Beauty (1890), and along with Lev Ivanov (1834-1901) -- The Nutcracker (1892) and the revival of Swan Lake (1895). Join us in the Petipa birthday dance - first to the right, then to the left, then to the right again, and then surprise the audience with something fabulous. You have now been Petipa-ed. Also Born Today: Vanguard modernist ballet choreographer and powerhouse dancer Vaslav Nijinsky (1889?-1950) rocked the ballet world with dances choreographed for the original Ballets Russes, including Afternoon of a Faun (1912) and Rite of Spring (1913), a ballet without pointe shoes or tutus danced to a challenging score, which caused the audience in Paris to riot at the premiere. Dave Gould (1899-1969) is best known for being one of three people to win an Academy Award for Best Dance Direction (for his work in the movie musical Broadway Melody of 1936). This award was given out between 1935-1937 and then the award category was mysteriously discontinued. ------ Movie: 42nd Street released in 1933 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-12 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026495247-KLTKHRWXN8WC44OOAGUH/vera+zorina.jpg March 12 - March 12 Born Today: Liza Minnelli The daughter of Judy Garland (1922-1969) and director Vicente Minnelli, Liza Minnelli (1946-) became a star in her own right, most notably in Cabaret (1972), directed/choreographed by Bob Fosse (1927-1987) and in the award-winning TV production Liza with a ‘Z’ (1972). She famously replaced Gwen Verdon (1925-2000) briefly in the original Broadway production of Chicago (1975) and Julie Andrews (1935-) in the original Broadway production of Victor/Victoria (1995). Minnelli used daily dance lessons to help her recover from a serious illness in 2000, and began performing again the following year. Also Born Today: Dance teacher and ballet maven E. Virginia Williams (1914-1984) so hated losing her students to out of town opportunities that she founded the Boston Ballet in 1963, in part with the support of choreographer George Balanchine (1904-1983), head of New York City Ballet. The Ford Foundation grant that made this possible, and also funded the formation of the Pennsylvania Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet companies. ----- Ballet Premiere: La Sylphide (Filipo Taglioni version) in 1832 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-10 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025593745-457YHR3ZJI9M1N2GIUG2/vera+zorina.jpg March 10 - March 10 Born Today: Tamara Karsavina Ballerina Tamara Karsavina (1885-1978) left the Imperial Russian Ballet in 1918 to join the original Ballets Russes permanently. Prior to 1918, she was often a guest artist with the company and originated roles in Le Spectre de la Rose (1911) and Petrouchka (1911), both by Michel Fokine (1880-1942). Following her time with the Ballets Russes, she relocated to England and helped to found the Royal Academy of Dance in 1931. Also Born Today: Dancer Gamar Almaszadeh (1915-2006), who is considered the first ballerina of the Muslim world, began studying dance in Azerbaijan in secret, and choreographed and performed in the first ballet to be created in the country - Maiden’s Tower (1940). ------ Movie: Lili released in 1953 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-28 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041140615-2C5PYAV32Y2WNNIIYRM0/vera+zorina.jpg March 28 - March 28 Born Today: Moses Pendleton Dartmouth College student Moses Pendleton (1949-) co-founded the avant-garde dance group Pilobolus in 1971, along with Alison Becker Chase (1946-), who taught the inspired choreography class, and several other students, including Jonathan Wolken (1949-2010) and Martha Clarke (1944-). Pendleton performed with the group for a decade and then began working on other projects including MOMIX, an offshoot of Pilobolus he co-founded with Chase in 1980. MOMIX has toured regularly for the past 40 years, performing work that Pendleton describes as “...physical, visual theatre…” inspired by the natural world. Also Born Today: Dancer Igor Belsky (1925-1999) performed with the Kirov Ballet from 1943-1963 and later directed the Vaganova Academy. Ballerina Karen Kain (1951-), who performed with the National Ballet of Canada beginning in the 1970s and began directing the organization in 2005. ------ Movie: Funny Face released in 1957 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-21 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631039973989-DMAORYU0MR9FOIYFGP1D/vera+zorina.jpg March 21 - March 21 Born Today: Jiří Kylián Contemporary dance choreographer Jiří Kylián (1947-) studied at the Royal Ballet and danced for the Stuttgart Ballet in 1968, and began choreographing shortly afterwards. In 1976 he became the artistic director of the Nederlands Dans Theatre and produced some of his finest works including Stamping Ground (1983), inspired by Aboriginal dancers, and Falling Angels (1989), influenced by minimalism as an artistic practice. He directed NDT until 1999, adding a junior company, and continued choreographing for the company for another 10 years. Also Born Today: “The Great” Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. (1867-1932) was a Broadway impresario who produced a series of revue-style stage spectaculars bearing his name from 1907-1931. His show featured a chorus of elaborately costumed showgirls and he furthered the career of many stars including dancers Marilyn Miller (1898-1936) and Ann Pennington (1893-1971). ----- Movie: Thoroughly Modern Millie released in 1967 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-22 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631040042633-8AIHCPXFGK9EY7EOXZZ8/vera+zorina.jpg March 22 - March 22 Born Today: Ruth Page Ballerina and dance advocate Ruth Page (1899-1991) danced with the original Ballets Russes, the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo, with Anna Pavlova (1881-1931), and on Broadway before settling in Chicago as her home base in 1925. She founded several companies, including the Chicago Opera Ballet (1956-1970) and began producing an annual holiday Nutcracker ballet starting in 1965, which continued until 1997. Page can be credited with creating a supportive environment for dance in the city of Chicago and giving the city an international cachet by commissioning a young George Balanchine (1904-1983) to create a piece for her - Polka Mélancholique (1925). She also gave sculptor Isamu Noguchi and composer Aaron Copeland their first dance commissions. Page also embraced modern dance and Afro-Caribbean dance, giving a young Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) her start. Fresh from defecting from the Soviet Union in 1962, Rudolph Nureyev (1938-1993) made his first US appearance with Page’s company in New York City. Also Born Today: Modern dancer and early member of the influential New Dance Group (1932-2009), Sophie Maslow (1911-2006) danced with Martha Graham (1894-1991) and her own work tackled social issues during the 1930s. Contemporary ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (1973-), was named the first resident choreographer at NYCB from 2001-2008 and his best known works are Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (2011) and the Broadway musical An American in Paris (2015). ----- Movie: The Great Ziegfeld released in 1936, one day after his birthday https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-15 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026704979-8W6UE158YRF73ZGGVMAB/vera+zorina.jpg March 15 - March 15 Born Today: Beto Pérez Colombian-born Beto Pérez (1970-) created the exercise fitness program Zumba when he forgot his usual music for teaching an exercise class in the late 1990s. Instead, he used Salsa music he had with him and substituted salsa movement for his usual choreography. His classes became so popular that he decided to found the Zumba exercise corporation in the early 2000s. Since that time, Zumba has expanded worldwide and diversified to teach all ages and has a strong support system for instructors wishing to teach in person and online. Also Born Today: Revered ballet teacher Ludmilla Schollar (1888-1978), along with her husband Anatole Vilzak (1896-1998) danced with the original Ballets Russes, and Schollar created roles in Carnaval (1910) and Jeux (1913). Dancer with the Royal Ballet, David Wall (1946-2013) became the youngest dancer to be promoted to the rank of principal dancer at the age of 21. Dancer Thommie Walsh (1950 - 2007) originated the role of Bobby in A Chorus Line (1975) and collaborated with Tommy Tune (1939-) on several award-winning shows, including My One and Only (1983). ------ Movie: Funny Lady released in 1975 Broadway Premiere: My Fair Lady in 1956 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-15 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631020913129-VFTFS7X8FN79ISLB7TAJ/vera+zorina.jpg February 15 - February 15 Born Today: Bill T. Jones Contemporary dancer/choreographer Bill T. Jones (1952-), originally a student athlete, was inspired to dance after taking Contact Improvisation classes. His vast array of dance works includes pieces featuring spoken word and video, along with dance, and often he explores issues of race and identity. Jones had a hit show on Broadway, Spring Awakening (2006), that has also been produced at the West End in London. Also Born Today: Supremely versatile ballet dancer John Kriza (1919-1975), who performed with American Ballet Theatre from 1939-1966, creating the title role in the Eugene Loring (1911-1982) ballet Billy the Kid, and as an original sailor in the Jerome Robbins (1918-1998) ballet Fancy Free (1944). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-18 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631021205398-HW2722LCFRHE1YXM59JQ/vera+zorina.jpg February 18 - February 18 Born Today: John Travolta Princess Diana knew who to dance with at the ball - John Travolta (1954-), who by the 1980s had been in two highly successful dance movie musicals - the gritty Saturday Night Fever (1977) and the much-beloved Grease (1978). The movie Staying Alive (1983) was not the strongest follow-up, but it featured dancer Finola Hughes (1959-) and showed the Tony Manero character succeeding on Broadway. Also Born Today: Russian dancer/choreographer Dmitri Briantzev (1947-), who enlivened the Stanislavsky Ballet repertory with classical ballet variations and pas de deux (dance for two) upon his appointment as chief choreographer in 1985. He began directing the St. Petersburg Chamber Ballet starting in 1994. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-19 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631021285185-8ZTEOVLBPJAYY6XYRL7A/vera+zorina.jpg February 19 - February 19 Born Today: Lauren Anderson Houston Ballet’s Lauren Anderson (1965) broke barriers even before the historic promotion of Misty Copeland (1982-) to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Anderson became one of the first black principal dancers performing for a major American ballet company in 1990, dancing with the company until 2006. Artistic Director Ben Stevenson (1936-) choreographed the ballet Cleopatra (2000) specifically for Anderson. Also Born Today: Tap dancer John W. Bubbles (1902-1986), known as the creator of rhythm tap, was half of the vaudeville duo Buck and Bubbles, along with Ford Lee “Buck” Washington (1903-1955). The duo had a four decade collaboration. ----- Broadway Premiere: Crazy for You in 1992 Dance Premiere: Dark Elegies in 1937 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-1 daily 0.75 2021-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631024969327-LTL0CYXJMU02Z6S4JCRY/vera+zorina.jpg March 1 - March 1 Born Today: Else Fisher-Bergman Swedish choreographer Else Fisher-Bergman (1918-2006) was briefly married to famed director Ingmar Bergman in the 1940s. Fisher-Bergman appeared in several Swedish films and wrote children’s books, including Beppo the Clown, which she made into a dance pantomime, produced by Bergman, in 1942. Their best-known project was the groundbreaking movie, The Seventh Seal (1957), for which Fisher-Bergman provided choreography. ------ Dance Premiere: Esplanade in 1975 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-4 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025207226-CBJXBD6ZHONU2SO0K2HH/vera+zorina.jpg March 4 - March 4 Born Today: Mikko Nissinen Choreographer Mikko Nissinen (1962-) performed with the Dutch National Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet and has directed the Boston Ballet since 2001. Nissinen trained with the Finnish National Ballet School and went on to train with the Kirov school. Before landing in Boston, he directed the Alberta Ballet in Canada. Under his direction, Boston Ballet has toured internationally and formed a partnership with gifted choreographer William Forsythe (1949-), who has set a number of his works on the company. Also Born Today: Choreographer Lee Scott (1925-1996) created dances for Rita Hayworth (1918-1987) in the movie Miss Sadie Thompson (1953) and an amazing Barn Dance number featuring Tommy Rall (1929-2020) in The Second Greatest Sex (1955), which is worth comparing to the Barn Raising number choreographed by Michael Kidd (1915-2007) a year earlier in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). ----- Movie: Call Me Madam released in 1953 Modern Dance Premiere: Canfield in 1969 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-14 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026635949-CI8JJVK1B3NYSNMEKYJY/vera+zorina.jpg March 14 - March 14 Born Today: Jean Butler American-born Irish step dancer Jean Butler (1971-) is best known for originating the lead female role in the stage show Riverdance (1995). Butler began studying Irish dance seriously at the age of nine and won competitions and championships throughout her youth and later toured with musical group The Chieftains. She, along with co-choreographer Michael Flatley (1958-), performed a short piece entitled Riverdance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. The dance was a raging success and was immediately lengthened into a full-length show of the same name, which toured internationally for several years and resulted in a resurgence of interest in Irish dance. Also Born Today: Dance critic Walter Terry (1913-1982) wrote for the Boston Herald, Dance Magazine, and the New York Herald Tribune and wrote several books on dance, including The Dance in America (1971). Russian ballerina Galina Samsova (1937-2021) danced with the Kiev Opera Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada, and the London Festival Ballet from 1964–1973. She later directed the Scottish Ballet from 1991–1997. Italian choreographer Amedeo Amodio (1940-) founded Aterballetto in 1979 and directed the company until 1996. Ballet dancer Patrick Dupond (1959-2021) performed with the Paris Opera Ballet and later directed the company. Contemporary dancer Jennifer Monson (1961-) works with themes of dance and the environment and she “proposes that choreography itself is an archival practice for environmental phenomena”. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-24 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631040171183-Y7ML72I6PI6IDS4WEFE1/vera+zorina.jpg March 24 - March 24 Born Today: Gene Nelson The role that dancer Gene Nelson (1920-1996) is best known for is Will Parker in the movie version of Oklahoma! (1955). His featured dance number, Kansas City, fused tap, clogging, slapstick, and rope tricks. He appeared in the Broadway all-soldier revue This is the Army (1942) and following his service in the Army during WWII, he appeared in the show Lend an Ear (1950) and in a few other Hollywood musicals before Oklahoma!. After retiring from dancing, he directed TV episodes and two films starring Elvis Presley (1935-1977). Also Born Today: Ballroom dancer Josephine Bradley (1893-1985), who helped to codify dances and develop a syllabus for teachers through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Ballet dancer and founder of the American Ballet Theatre company in New York City, Lucia Chase (1897-1986). Broadway and movie dancer/choreographer Onna White (1922-2005) danced in the stage version of Guys and Dolls (1950) and choreographed the stage and film version of The Music Man, among other shows. Ballerina Rowena Jackson (1926-) performed with The Royal Ballet and relocated to New Zealand, later directing the Royal New Zealand Ballet with her husband, dancer Philip Chatfield (1927-2021). Modern dancer Milton Myers (1951) performed with the companies of Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) and Joyce Trisler (1934-1979) and he directs the modern and contemporary dance program at Jacob’s Pillow. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-29 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041205767-T760S663MLBCVE19ISLH/vera+zorina.jpg March 29 - March 29 Born Today: Diana Adams Ballerina Diana Adams (1926-1993) danced with ABT in the 1940s and with NYCB from 1950-1963, creating roles in some of the best known ballets by George Balanchine 1904-1983), including Western Symphony (1954) and Stars and Stripes (1958). Perhaps her most noteworthy pairing was in the pas de deux section of Balanchine’s Agon (1957), partnering with Arthur Mitchell (1934-2018) in an interracial duet - a groundbreaking feat rarely seen onstage at the time. Adams also appeared in the original stage production of Oklahoma! (1943), choreographed by Agnes de Mille (1905-1993) and in the movie Invitation to the Dance (1956), directed by Gene Kelly (1912-1996). ------ Broadway Premiere: The King and I in 1951, Newsies in 2012 Movies: George White’s 1935 Scandals released in 1935, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle released in 1939 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-9 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025536695-8IB3O8TYTCQKAMIYS1P7/vera+zorina.jpg March 9 - March 9 Born Today: Tatsumi Hijikata Iconoclast Tatsumi Hijikata (1928-1986) was the creator of Butoh dance in the years following WWII (originally Ankoku Butoh - "ancient dance step of utter darkness"). Hijikata was not interested in making pretty dances or entertaining audiences with technical feats. His work found beauty in the grotesque and in the expressive possibilities of an extended moment in time. Butoh has developed in many directions since that time and a performance of this amazing dance is an experience you don't want to miss. Also Born Today: Cuban ballet dancer Fernando Bujones (1955-2005), who danced with ABT and was a guest with 60 other companies during his career. Actor Juliette Binoche (1964-), best known for her role in movie The English Patient (1996), also collaborated with contemporary choreographer Akram Khan in 2008 on the piece entitled in-i. ------ Movies: Take Me Out to the Ball Game released in 1949, Can-Can released in 1960, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying released in 1967 Broadway Premiere: In the Heights in 2008 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-17 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026859895-OHWNK46ONTT7TV6N4AZU/vera+zorina.jpg March 17 - March 17 Born Today: Rudolf Nureyev The incomparable Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) defected from Russia in 1961 and reinvigorated the career of ballerina Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) - she was 42 and he was 24 when they were first paired - in a partnership that would last until she retired in 1979. He said that they danced with "one body, one soul". In 1977 he starred in the movie Valentino, about the silent film star and dancer Rudolph Valentino (1895-1926). Nureyev performed internationally and choreographed for ABT before accepting the directorship of the Paris Opera Ballet in 1983-1989, where he mentored dancers including Sylvie Guillem (1965-) and Manuel Legris (1964-). Also Born Today: The name Thoinot Arbeau is the anagrammatic pen name of French cleric Jehan Tabourot (1520-1595), who is best known for his book Orchésographie (1588), detailing social dances of the late French Renaissance. Ballerina Ruthanna Boris (1918-2007) is best known for being the first American to join the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and dancing in the original production of Serenade (1934) one of the first pieces George Balanchine (1904-1983) created after relocating to the US. She also created the dance program at the University of Washington in 1965. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-20 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631027039388-ANW5D0OYZ2MQIRGQSECR/vera+zorina.jpg March 20 - March 20 Born Today: Luigi The story of jazz dance performer and revered teacher, Eugene Louis Faccuito, aka Luigi (1925-2015), is an inspiration. Grievously injured in a car accident, doctors assured him that the paralysis he experienced would end his dancing career. Undaunted, Luigi developed a series of stretches and a warm-up that stabilized his body, and in nine months he was able to return to class and soon afterwards, performing, where he was discovered in 1949 by a Hollywood talent scout. Gene Kelly (1904-1996) hired him as a dancer in several of his films, including On the Town (1949) and Singin’ in the Rain (1952). Luigi relocated to New York to dance in several productions and began refining and teaching his method for several decades. Also Born Today: Dancer Leslie Cook (1953-) who appeared as a Solid Gold Dancer on the music countdown show and in movies including Breakin’ (1984) and A Chorus Line (1985). Contemporary dancer Stephen Petronio (1956-) became the first male dancer to perform with Trisha Brown (1936-2017) before forming his own company. ----- Movie: Cover Girl released in 1944 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-11 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631020525416-TCUBMDWWO048QACNEG49/vera+zorina.jpg February 11 - February 11 Born Today: Charles “Cookie” Cook Tall-statured tap dancer Charles “Cookie” Cook (1914-1991), pictured on the left, partnered with diminutive Ernest “Brownie” Brown (1916-2009) on the vaudeville circuit as opening acts for big bands helmed by Count Basie and Duke Ellington in the 1930s-1940s. In 1949, they joined the Copasetics, a group of 21 master dancers dedicated to the continuation of tap dance in memory of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (1877-1949). They performed well into the 1970s and their artistry can be enjoyed in a short clip on YouTube that highlights their acrobatic prowess and sense of humor. ---------------------------- Ballet Premiere: Jason et Médée in 1763 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-27 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041072127-GWEFY6VOQTJ3MFM75FBI/vera+zorina.jpg March 27 - March 27 Born Today: Arthur Mitchell Ballet dancer Arthur Mitchell (1934-2018) grew up in Harlem and danced for George Balanchine (1904-1983) and the New York City Ballet, one of a very few black ballet dancers performing for a major dance company at the time. Balanchine choreographed the pas de deux in Agon (1957) specifically for Mitchell and Southern-born ballerina, Diana Adams (1926-1993), who celebrates a birthday later this month. Following the assassination of MLK in 1968, Mitchell returned to his early roots to found Dance Theatre of Harlem, a school and performing company that would draw talent from his old neighborhood. Also Born Today: Early French ballet dancer Auguste Vestris (1760-1842), son of dancer Gaétan Vestris (1729-1808) - both considered the best dancers of their time. Auguste Vestris went on to train the ballet stars and choreographers of the 19th century, including Marius Petipa (1818-1910). Choreographer Charles-Louis Didelot (1767-1837) rigged dancers to wires so they could fly in his piece entitled Flore et Zéphire (1815). Harold Nicholas (1921-2000) was half of the duo, The Nicholas Brothers, including Fayard Nicholas (1914-2006), a top drawer tap dance flash act. Dancer/actor Chick Vennera (1947-2021), who is best known for dancing in the original production of Grease (1973) on Broadway and on top of a car in the movie Thank God it’s Friday (1978). ----- Movies: Cabin in the Sky released in 1943, Singin’ in the Rain released in 1952 Broadway Premiere: Dancin' in 1978 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-14 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631020818854-L2JV6FMH8QAOFLFDUQRP/vera+zorina.jpg February 14 - February 14 Born Today: Gregory Hines Tap dancing legend Gregory Hines (1946-2003) had a career that spanned Broadway, in shows like Sophisticated Ladies (1981) and Jelly’s Last Jam (1992) to film, in dance movies such as White Nights (1985), alongside ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-), and the 1989 movie Tap, featuring several generations of tap dancers. Hines advocated for the creation of National Tap Dance Day in 1989, now celebrated annually on May 25, and his image is featured on a forever postage stamp, issued in January 2019. Also Born Today: Vaudeville performer Aida Overton Walker (1880-1914) along with her husband, dancer George Walker (c.1872-1911), produced early all-black musicals on Broadway. Dance teacher Maria Giacobbe (192?-2021), who founded her school of dance in New Orleans in 1943, the Delta Festival Ballet in 1969, and the New Orleans Youth Ballet. Ballet dancer with NYCB Johnna Kirkland (1950-) is the sister of ballerina Gelsey Kirkland (1952-). Ballerina Yuanyuan Tan (1977-), who at 20 was promoted to Principal Dancer, the youngest such appointment at the San Francisco Ballet. ----- Movie: Sweet Charity released in 1969 Broadway Premiere: Grease in 1972 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-16 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631021032507-4EI3O07PCEEQDQT035ZW/vera+zorina.jpg February 16 - February 16 Born Today: Vera-Ellen Hollywood musical star Vera-Ellen (1921–1981) began dancing in a studio alongside future star Doris Day and debuted on Broadway in 1939. Being a Radio City Music Hall Rockette led to substantial roles on Broadway and Vera-Ellen appeared in Panama Hattie (1940) and in A Connecticut Yankee (1943), when she was invited to Hollywood by Samuel Goldwyn. She starred in On the Town (1944) with Gene Kelly (1912–1996) and in White Christmas (1954) with crooner Bing Crosby. In the 1950s, she was a guest on TV variety programs and retired from performing late in the decade. Also Born Today: Best known as the father of choreographer Marius Petipa (1818–1910), Jean-Antoine Petipa (1787–1855) danced with Filippo Tagioni (1777–1871) before relocating to St. Petersburg in 1847 to run the Imperial School. Ballerina Marie Bonfanti (1845–1921) appeared in the groundbreaking musical The Black Crook (1866) on Broadway. Ballet dancer Anthony Dowell (1943-) danced with the Royal Ballet from the early 1960s until 1984. Dancer Sara Rudner (1944-) performed with Twyla Tharp (1941-) for twenty years and took over direction of the dance program at Sarah Lawrence College in 1999.  ----- Movie: Carousel released in 1956 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/february-25 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631022284477-AWIAUSD1UVZMUICLX49V/vera+zorina.jpg February 25 - February 25 Born Today: Viola Farber Dancer Viola Farber (1931-1998) studied dance at Black Mountain College and became a founding company member with postmodern choreographer Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) in 1953, dancing in pieces such as Septet (1953), Summerspace (1958), and Winterbranch (1964). She left the company in 1965 and founded her own group a few years after, often creating works set to silence. Her humorous piece entitled Lead Us Not Into Penn Station (1975) wins today’s award for best title of a postmodern dance piece. Also Born Today: Danish dancer/choreographer Harald Lander (1905-1971) directed the Royal Danish Ballet from 1932-1951. Russian dance writer and expert on Soviet dancers of the 1920s, Elizabeth Souritz (1923-). Ballet dancer Jorge Donn (1947-1992), who danced for choreographer Maurice Béjart (1927-2007) in many of his best-known works, including Nijinsky, Clown of God (1971) and a gender-bending version of Boléro in 1979. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-6 daily 0.75 2026-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025335091-211MU2IHJIOE1Y38KSDU/vera+zorina.jpg March 6 - March 6 Born Today: Carmen de Lavallade Modern dancer Carmen de Lavallade (1931-2025), cousin of ballerina Janet Collins (1917-2003), studied ballet before dancing with Lester Horton (1906-1953) in the 1950s. After his sudden death, she relocated, along with Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) to New York, where she met her husband, dancer Geoffrey Holder (1930-2014), debuted on Broadway in House of Flowers (1954) and appeared in the movie Carmen Jones (1954). She danced with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Donald McKayle (1930-2018), among others, and continued performing well into her seventies. Also Born Today: Kabuki actor/dancer Ganjiro Nakamura I (1860-1935) played both male and female roles and excelled in sewamono (domestic dramas) in the softer and more realistic wagoto style. Writer and lecturer Peter Brinson (1920-1995) worked to raise the profile of dance and dance education in the UK during the 20th century. Sardono (1945-) studied classical Javanese dance and combined traditional and contemporary dances. Choreographer Jimmy Gamonet de los Heros (1957-2021) was the resident choreographer with the Miami City Ballet from 1985–2000 and ran Ballet Gamonet in Miami for five years before returning to his native Peru to choreograph for the National Ballet of Peru. Gamonet died of COVID in 2021. Ballet dancer Julio Bocca (1967-) performed with ABT and mixes ballet with tango in his choreography. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-8 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025467734-F68M6C4N4O7QG7KNNL19/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-18 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631026911386-09FOL55W5YC0FGP1I4CN/vera+zorina.jpg March 18 - March 18 Born Today: Mahmoud Reda Egyptian dancer Mahmoud Reda (1930-) was inspired by Golden Age Hollywood musicals and trained as a gymnast, representing Egypt in the 1952 Olympics. He toured internationally with an Argentinian dance group before returning to Egypt to found the folk dance-based Reda Troupe in 1959. Their popularity grew beyond Cairo after appearances in several films in the 1960s and Reda continued dancing with the troupe until 1972, when he devoted himself to choreography. The company toured internationally and under his direction grew to 150 dancers and musicians. Also Born Today: As a youngster, ballerina Tatjana Gsovsky (1901-1993) studied at the Isadora Duncan school in St. Petersburg, Russia, and was later ballet mistress at several companies including the Berlin State Opera. Her choreography combined influences from ballet and German modern dance. Choreographer Bonnie Story (1959-) is best known for her work on the trio of High School Musical movies, televised in 2006-2008. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-26 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041001832-RJK46FH110UZJU3ZY4ZM/vera+zorina.jpg March 26 - March 26 Born Today: Roberto Bolle Ballet dancer Roberto Bolle (1975-) studied at La Scala in Italy and in 1996 he was promoted to principal dancer. He left the company the following year to pursue a freelance career, guesting with international companies including the Royal Ballet, the Stuttgart Ballet, and the Tokyo Ballet, among others. Bolle danced with ABT from 2010-2019 and he has partnered many ballerinas for their farewell performances, including Julie Kent (1969-) and Alessandra Ferri (1963-). Also Born Today: Serbian dancer/choreographer Milorad Miskovitch (1928-2013) who moved to France to work with some of the greatest dancers and choreographers of his time, including Serge Lifar (1905-1986) and Zizi Jeanmarie (1924-2020). Later in his career he directed his own ballet company and worked for UNESCO. Contemporary dancer Robert Cohan (1925-2021) founded The Place dance school in London, and directed London Contemporary Dance Theatre. ----- Broadway Premiere: Funny Girl in 1964 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-2 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631025058488-QY03M49PGARUG7706BOM/vera+zorina.jpg March 2 - March 2 Born Today: Lev Ivanov Long overlooked, ballet choreographer Lev Ivanov (1834-1901) contributed choreography to famous classical ballets often attributed solely to Marius Petipa (1818-1910), including Swan Lake (1877) and Cinderella (1893). Ivanov was responsible for co-choreographing the original version of The Nutcracker (1892) with Petipa, but was not credited in the program. Ivanov’s most iconic piece is the Dance of the Little Swans, featuring a quartet of ballerinas with interlaced arms, in the ballet Swan Lake. Also Born Today: Dancer Tamara Toumanova (1919-1996), one of the “Baby Ballerinas” who danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in the 1930s and appeared in several Hollywood movies as a dancer. Lyudmila Vlasova (1942-) danced with the Bolshoi Ballet and was briefly married to Alexander Godunov (1949-1995), who defected to the West in 1979 while Vlasova returned to the Soviet Union. Contemporary choreographer Lloyd Newson (1957-) directs DV8 Physical Theatre and adapted several of his dances for film, including Enter Achilles (1995) and The Cost of Living (2004). ----- Movie: The Sound of Music released in 1965 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-25 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631040916837-B5LQ7MWR1NV1ZTQ6NAIM/vera+zorina.jpg March 25 - March 25 Born Today: Simone Forti Postmodern dancer Simone Forti (1935-) worked with California-based dance pioneer Anna Halprin (1920-2021) in the 1950s and moved to New York shortly before the turn of the decade, enrolling in Robert Dunn’s choreography class that inspired the explosion of postmodern dance. She began a series of gallery movement exhibitions entitled Dance Constructions in 1960, focusing on pedestrian, or everyday, movement, in turn inspiring her cohorts Trisha Brown (1936-2017), Steve Paxton (1939-), and Yvonne Rainer (1934-). Forti participated in Happenings (live multidisciplinary performance art events) and has continued to move back and forth between the two coasts to create work since the 1970s. Also Born Today: Actor Sarah Jessica Parker (1965), who is best known for her role in the TV shows Sex and the City/And Just Like That. Parker got her start in the Broadway version of Annie (1977) and trained at the School for American Ballet. In the 80s she starred in dance movies Footloose (1984) and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (1985) before pursuing dramatic roles. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-1 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041764508-29343E5SNQAUHUIK88CA/vera+zorina.jpg April 1 - April 1 Born Today: Jane Powell Dancer Jane Powell (1929-2021) was no Fool - she knew Howard Keel was the most attractive Pontipee brother in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Already an accomplished singer at a young age, Powell’s big break was winning a talent competition in 1943, which led to a contract at MGM Studios. She appeared alongside Fred Astaire (1899-1987) in Royal Wedding (1951), loosely based on Astaire’s early performing partnership with his sister, Adele Astaire (1896-1981), who gave up the stage to marry a titled Lord in England. In the movie, Powell and Astaire perform a snappy routine to a song with the longest title in Hollywood musical history - “How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I've Been A Liar All My Life”. She took to the stage after her film career slowed and replaced Debbie Reynolds (see below) in a revival of the Broadway musical Irene (1973). Also Born Today: As a young starlet, Debbie Reynolds (1932-2016) learned how to dance from Gene Kelly (1912-1996) during rehearsals for Singin’ in the Rain (1953). Her career spanned nearly 70 years on film, TV, Vegas nightclubs, and the Broadway stage. What you may not know is that she is the mother of Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars films. ------ TV Premiere: Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert in 2018 Ballet Premiere: Paquita in 1846 Modern Dance Premiere: Clytemnestra in 1958 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-16 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631049690716-EPD0O696SLKGDJLO7210/vera+zorina.jpg April 16 - April 16 Born Today: Merce Cunningham Postmodern dance pioneer Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) was one of the first men to perform with Martha Graham (1894-1991). He formed his own company in 1953 and broke from her narrative style, instead making dances through “chance procedures” in order to remove his own movement preferences from the work. He collaborated with postmodern visual artists Andy Warhol, whose memorable helium-filled silver pillows created a moving landscape in Rainforest (1968) and Robert Rauschenberg, who created the stippled backdrop the dancers (in painted unitards) blended into in Summerspace (1958). Cunningham’s longtime collaborator and life partner was postmodern composer John Cage, an artist who considered all sounds as possible musical accompaniment. These collaborations often came together late in the production process, as Cunningham believed that dance did not have to be closely related to the music - it could just exist at the same time onstage. His dances were timed and often the dancers heard the accompanying music during the first performance. Cunningham also believed that all points on a stage were worthy of attention, not just the center of the stage. His choreography deviated from rules set by early modern dancers and he inspired the next generation of dancers to explore the boundaries of the art form. Also Born Today: Early ballerina Emilie Bigottini (1784-1858), who frequently performed with Monsieur Albert (1787-1865) and was best known for performing a mad scene in the 1813 ballet Nina, La Folle par Amour. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-7 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631042244721-R07Y8BCZSOY42RB2U7SJ/vera+zorina.jpg April 7 - April 7 Born Today: Willa Mae Ricker Lindy hop dancer Willa Mae Ricker (1910-1978) began dancing in the Savoy Ballroom with Frankie Manning (1914-2009) and was invited to dance with Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, a top-notch dance group based in Harlem. She excelled in aerial moves and was strong enough to hold her partner up when necessary. She married fellow dancer Billy Ricker, who danced with swing dance queen Norma Miller (1919-2019), and Ricker is best known for partnering Leon James (1913-1970 in a photo spread for LIFE Magazine. She danced in the movies A Day at the Races (1937) and Hot Chocolates (1941), but her performance in Hellzapoppin (1941) is phenomenal. You should go watch it right now. Also Born Today: Film star and martial arts genius Jackie Chan (1954-), whose humorous fight choreography transcends genres. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-2 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041851969-VBB2KBSKHY083LY0TC9S/vera+zorina.jpg April 2 - April 2 Born Today: Buddy Ebsen Best known as Jed Clampett on the 1960s TV show The Beverly Hillbillies, Buddy Ebsen (1908-2003) was a dancer earlier in his career, trained by his father, a Danish choreographer and dance teacher. The younger Ebsen and his sister Vilma Ebsen (1911-2007) later performed in nightclubs and on Broadway in shows including Whoopee! (1928) and the Ziegfeld Follies of 1934. He was almost the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1939), but apparently he had a violent allergic reaction to the silver makeup and the role was given to Jack Haley, with the adorable accent. But what if Ebsen had been able to complete the movie… Also Born Today: Actor/dancer Jack Buchanan (1891-1957) is best known for his role in film The Band Wagon (1953), alongside Fred Astaire (1899-1987) and Nanette Fabray (1920-2018). Tap dancer Charles “Honi” Coles (1911-1992), is best known for the duo Coles & Atkins, with Charles “Cholly” Atkins (1913-2003). ------ Ballet Premiere: The Dream in 1964 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-4 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631042006169-W860Y1W0L34L59QA05YM/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-17 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631049765930-3AOZWINP5J4AL8S6WL6H/vera+zorina.jpg April 17 - April 17 Born Today: Irene Castle Ballroom dancer and fashion icon Irene Castle (1893-1969), along with her husband Vernon Castle (1887-1918) spruced up and popularized couples dances including the foxtrot. After performing in Paris to great acclaim, the couple returned to the United States and they appeared on Broadway in Irving Berlin’s first musical, Watch Your Step (1914). Irene shortened her skirts and bobbed her hair, a style that became quite popular with flappers later in the 1920s. Vernon survived serving as a fighter pilot in WWI, but died during a training mission in Fort Worth, Texas in 1918. Irene went on to appear in multiple silent films until retiring from dancing in 1929. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer and choreographer Boris Fenster (1916-1960) studied choreography with Leonid Lavrovsky (1905-1967) in Leningrad and created works at the Kirov Ballet including Taras Bulba (1955). Spanish singer and dancer Sagrario Aranburu Olasagarre (1930–2021) is best known for performing with a group called Duguna. Ballerina Anna-Marie Holmes (1942-) was the first North American dancer to be invited to be a guest performer with the Kirov Ballet and later directed Boston Ballet in the late 1990s. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-9 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631042377928-3DGD0G1DN5YF1YIU6SBA/vera+zorina.jpg April 9 - April 9 Born Today: Robert Helpmann Without ballet dancer Robert Helpmann (1909-1986), the movie The Red Shoes (1948) would have been a lot less creepy. His nightmare-inducing role as a discarded newspaper dancing with red-haired ballerina Moira Shearer (1926-2006) lingers in the memory. Helpmann’s talent for acting translated into an eclectic career appearing on Broadway and in films in non-dance roles as well. He played the Child Catcher in the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), further disturbing childhood dreams with another sinister performance. Also Born Today: Impresario Sol Hurok (1888-1974), who managed the appearances of many dancers, including Isadora Duncan (1878-1927) and Katherine Dunham (1909-2006), and even managed the competing Ballet Russe companies in the 1930s. Bolshoi-trained ballerina Victorina Kriger (1893-1978) later lamented the limited roster of works presented by the company in the 1970s. Ballet dancer and revered instructor at the Royal Academy of Dance in the 1960s and 1970s, Keith Lester (1904-1993). Versatile choreographer Lar Lubovitch (1943-), whose work is danced by ballet and modern dance companies and who also staged Into the Woods (1989) on Broadway. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-5 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631042109744-7CJ9IUEFYDT00IO9B7LT/vera+zorina.jpg April 5 - April 5 Born Today: David Winters Dancer and choreographer David Winters (1939-2019) (the one in red) is best known for his role in the film version of West Side Story (1961). He also appeared in the original Broadway version and worked with choreographer Jerome Robbins (1918-1998) again in the original production of Gypsy (1959). He choreographed multiple movies starring Elvis Presley (1935-1977) and Ann-Margret (1941-), including Viva Las Vegas (1964) and he began directing later in the decade and produced a number of TV specials and films. Also Born Today: Ballerina Therese Elssler (1808-1878), sister of Fanny Elssler (1810-1884). Both studied with Jean-Louis Aumer (1774-1833) and after retiring from the stage, Therese married a Prince of Prussia. Ballerina Jennifer Penney (1946-), danced with the Royal Ballet from 1963-1988 and is best known for creating one of the four lead roles in Gloria (1980), by choreographer Kenneth MacMillan (1929-1992). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/march-31 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041354731-G3ITQOZJBHR7G2SLPXI3/vera+zorina.jpg March 31 - March 31 Born Today: Christopher Walken Known primarily as an actor who revels in creepy villain roles and for never having enough cowbell, Christopher Walken (1943-) trained as a dancer and performed in nightclubs while appearing in Broadway plays in the 1960s. He transitioned into film in the 1970s and performed a tap-dancing striptease in Hollywood musical Pennies from Heaven (1981), also starring Steve Martin (1945-). Walken also danced in the movies Puss in Boots (1988) and Hairspray (2007) and appeared dancing and flying in Fatboy Slim’s music video, Weapon of Choice (2001), which Walken helped choreograph. Also Born Today: Empresario and visionary who directed the vanguard artistic collective, the original Ballets Russes dance company, from 1909-his death, Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929) created a template for 20th century dance companies. Dancer Nataraja Ramakrishna (1923-2011) revived traditional Indian dance forms Perini Shivatandavam and Kuchipudi. Ballet dancer Istvan Rabovsky (1930-2020), along with his wife Nora Kovach (1931-2009) in 1953, became two of the first dancers to publicly defect from the Soviet Union. Ballroom dancer Paul Mercurio (1963-) is best known for starring in Baz Luhrmann’s dance movie Strictly Ballroom (1992). ----- Broadway Premiere: Oklahoma! in 1943 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-26 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631050670034-NLW6G1PG6L7MQKHJSY7H/vera+zorina.jpg April 26 - April 26 Born Today: Margaret H’Doubler Dance education pioneer Margaret H’Doubler (1889-1982) began her career as a physical education teacher at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1910, after completing undergraduate work in chemistry, biology, and philosophy. In 1916, she was asked to continue her studies in New York so she could incorporate dance into the curriculum, a move that changed her life. When she returned to Madison, she brought with her the teachings of Gertrude Colby (1874-1960) and Alys Bentley (c.1869-1951), establishing dance classes based on scientific principles. Soon afterwards she formed a performing group named Orchesis and founded the first dance program in the nation. Dance programs have her to thank for the blueprint and for her illuminating and insightful books about dance in education. Also Born Today: Ballerina Bambi Linn born (1926-) is best known for her performance as Dream Laurey in both the Broadway and the movie version of Oklahoma!. Choreographer Irving Davies (1926-2002) choreographed for The Muppet Show and British TV variety shows and musicals. Indian actor/dancer Minoo Mumtaz (1942-2021) grew up in a dance family and began performing as a child on the stage and in films of the 1950s and 1960s. Ballet dancer Peter Schaufuss (1949-) directed the English National Ballet and the Berlin Ballet. Film star Channing Tatum (1980-) danced in the movies Step Up (2006) and Hail, Caesar! (2016). ------ Broadway Premieres:Company in 1970 and Jelly’s Last Jam in 1992 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-22 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631050191667-1E6UHLU69QYL2B977IC6/vera+zorina.jpg April 22 - April 22 Born Today: Yvette Chauviré Ballerina Yvette Chauviré (1917-2016) was invited to join the Paris Opera Ballet performing company at the young age of 13. She primarily worked with choreographer Serge Lifar (1905-1986) and followed him as he changed posts. She starred in the French dance film La Morte du Cygne (1937), released in the United States as Ballerina (1938). Chauviré desired to dance with other companies and in 1953 was able to negotiate a more flexible contract with the Paris Opera that allowed her to dance with Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) and Erik Bruhn (1928-1986). She retired from the company in 1956 and continued to appear in ballets until 1972. Later in her career, she coached the young Sylvie Guillem (1965-), ensuring her the best ballet education from one of France’s most admired dancers of the 20th century. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Dorothy Alexander (1904-1986) took ballet as a child to recover her strength after a long illness and later advocated for a ballet presence in Atlanta. She founded what is now the Atlanta Ballet. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-13 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631048597690-ZKRD3RPSE9R94W6PWCID/vera+zorina.jpg April 13 - April 13 Born Today: Stanley Donen Hollywood musical director Stanley Donen (1924-2019) created some of the most memorable films during the Golden Age of Musicals (1930s-1950s), including On the Town (1949), Royal Wedding (1951), Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Donen got his start dancing in the chorus on Broadway, where he met Gene Kelly (1912-1996) and later worked with him as part of the Freed Unit at MGM, an experienced group of collaborators expanding the artistic possibilities of dance on film. Although his groundbreaking work with Kelly is better known, his collaboration with choreographer Bob Fosse (1927-1987) to translate Fosse’s hit Broadway shows to film - The Pajama Game (1957) and Damn Yankees (1958) are also of note. Later, Donen cast Fosse and Donna McKechnie (1942-) in The Little Prince (1974), one of his last musical films. Also Born Today: Modern dancer/choreographer Michio Ito (1892-1961) studied modern dance in Germany before relocating to the United States. He directed shows on Broadway and created movement for Sally Rand (1904-1979) in the movie Sunset Murder (1938). Choreographer Lester Wilson (1942-1993) created dances for Saturday Night Fever (1977), Beat Street (1984), and for the Solid Gold Dancers. Dance writer Joan Acocella (1945-2024) is best known for writing about dance for The New Yorker magazine and for her 1993 biography of contemporary choreographer Mark Morris (1956-). ------ Movie: Broadway Rhythm released in 1944 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-24 daily 0.75 2026-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/70b36a95-28e7-4366-867a-52c3044d8c79/shirley_maclaine.jpg April 24 - April 24 Born Today: Shirley MacLaine Actor/dancer Shirley MacLaine born (1934-) got her first real break on Broadway, just like in the movies - stage star Carol Haney (1924-1964) sprained her ankle and MacLaine, her understudy, was her replacement in The Pajama Game (1954). MacLaine, as they say, killed, and this lucky break led to movie roles including The Trouble with Harry (1955), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and musicals including Sweet Charity (1969), choreographed and directed by Bob Fosse (1927-1987). She also starred in the movie The Turning Point (1977) with a very young Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-) and a great many other dramatic roles since that time, winning her multiple best actress nominations and awards. Also Born Today: Dancer Tucker Smith (1935-1988) is best known for playing the role of Ice in the film version of West Side Story (1961). ------ Movie: Captain January released in 1936 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-3 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631041920908-YAGT3F6Y3QC1RAV5KLE7/vera+zorina.jpg April 3 - April 3 Born Today: Sally Rand Known primarily for her peek-a-boo dance with enormous ostrich feather fans, Burlesque dancer Sally Rand (1904-1979) titillated many at the Chicago’s World’s Fair in 1933. As a youngster, she studied ballet and appeared in silent films before her shows at the World’s Fair, where she was arrested four times in a single day for perceived indecent exposure. But her act was all about illusion. Nearly thirty years afterwards, she danced for the original Mercury Seven astronauts during a 4th of July barbeque to celebrate the construction of the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Also Born Today: Modern dancer Jane Dudley (1912-2001) performed with Martha Graham (1894-1991) and produced her own socially and politically-conscious work. Film star Marlon Brando (1924-2004) played against type and danced superbly in the movie version of Guys and Dolls (1955), his first and last musical. Revered ballet teacher at Steps on Broadway, Wilhelm Burmann (1939-2020), began studying dance as a teenager and performed with NYCB and Frankfurt Ballet. Choreographer for many films in the Tamil and Malayan film industries beginning in the 1990s, Prabu Deva (1973-) was part of a small group of dance masters including choreographer Cool Jayanth. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-14 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631048687770-HZMZCQOB0MD91BSC7E6N/vera+zorina.jpg April 14 - April 14 Born Today: Carina Ari Ballerina Carina Ari (1897-1970) trained with and then danced for the Royal Swedish Ballet. She also trained with Michel Fokine (1880-1942), who had been appointed the Artistic Director in 1913, and followed him to Denmark in 1919 to learn the art and craft of choreography. In 1920 she choreographed for the Swedish film Erotikon and relocated to Paris to perform with Jean Börlin (1893-1930) and she also choreographed for the Paris Opera. Ari retired from dancing in the 1940s and became a sculptor, making busts of dancer Serge Lifar (1905-1986) and Swedish diplomat Dag Hammerskjöld. In the 1960s, she created scholarships for dancers and a dance library in her native country. ------ Broadway Premiere: Babes in Arms in 1937 and Bye Bye Birdie in 1960. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-15 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631048801372-1VTA57H79FN8QDK9T5WO/vera+zorina.jpg April 15 - April 15 Born Today: Marie Camargo Early ballerina Marie Camargo (1710-1770) is the dancer credited with swapping heeled shoes for flat, flexible slippers and for shortening her skirts to mid-calf so the audience could see her intricate footwork. These wardrobe changes freed women to practice more demanding steps and in fact, she was the first female dancer to perform the entrechat quatre, a jump in which the legs quickly switch positions multiple times in the air. Camargo was a student of Françoise Prévost (c.1680-1741), one of the first dancers of the newly-established Paris Opera, who also taught ballerina Marie Sallé (1707-1756), sometimes considered her rival, as their approaches to dance were so dissimilar. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Serge Lifar (1905-1986) began dancing with the original Ballets Russes in 1923 and was featured in the early version of Apollo (1928 - originally titled Apollon Musagète) by George Balanchine (1904-1983). Lifar helmed the Paris Opera Ballet from 1930-1944 and 1947-1958, restoring the company to technical greatness after a slump during the previous century. ------ Movie: Flashdance released in 1983 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-20 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631049995428-8RVGFX5C0MIN47OZKAFC/vera+zorina.jpg April 20 - April 20 Born Today: Hemsley Winfield Early modern dance pioneer Hemsley Winfield (1907-1934) was inspired by German Expressionism and, bolstered by the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, he founded the first African-American dance company in 1931. He briefly teamed with modern dancer Edna Guy (1907-1982), who had trained with the Denishawn school in California, on a few performances, but Winfield’s untimely death in 1934 placed a pall over his company’s breakout performance in The Emperor Jones, produced at the Met, and African-American modern dancers lost an advocate in the search for equality in the performing arts. Winfield’s Forum recital discussion in October 1933 remains as part of his legacy as an artist and a philosopher - in it he facilitated a discussion regarding the narrow confines of what African-Americans could dance about at the time. Faced with stereotypical roles and bias toward dancers of color branching into modern dance, he advocated for a broader vision of the possible contributions of black dancers and choreographers. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer William Dollar (1907-1986) danced in the early version of the NYCB, performing in the premiere of Serenade (1935), The Four Temperaments (1946), and appeared in dances in the movie The Goldwyn Follies (1938). Dollar also appeared in the early version of ABT and choreographed several pieces for the company. ------ Movie: Go into Your Dance released in 1935 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-23 daily 0.75 2026-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631050280199-XVAO33A33KA8PQ0JX6GY/vera+zorina.jpg April 23 - April 23 Born Today: Michel Fokine Ballet choreographer Michel Fokine (1880-1942), just like ballet reformer Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810) a century before, insisted on expressiveness as well as technical prowess and that dance-makers should value the corps de ballet (the large group of dancers) and not just use them as moving wallpaper. Fokine was trained in Russia and joined the original Ballets Russes in the early part of the 20th century for more artistic freedom. Although Fokine created seminal ballets still performed today, perhaps his most revolutionary piece was Les Sylphides (1909), a plotless ballet blanc (white-costumed ballet) featuring Vaslav Nijinsky (1889?-1950) and a number of white-clad sylphs. Also Born Today: Ballerina Marie Taglioni (1804-1884) was the first to dance en pointe (on the tips of her toes) for brief moments using soft slippers darned with stitches at the toes, changing ballet footwear forever. Many thanks for the ethereal beauty and fewer thanks for the pain and blisters. Modern dancer Helen Tamiris (1902-1966) was a recipient of support during the Great Depression through the Works Progress Association (WPA) and she helped establish the Federal Dance Project and ran the Federal Theatre Project, helping many struggling dancers find employment. Postmodern choreographer Erick Hawkins (1909-1994) briefly danced in Martha Graham's company (first man to do so) and he and Graham were married for a time, before he followed his own artistic path. Child star and later diplomat Shirley Temple (1928-2014) delighted audiences with her dancing abilities during the Great Depression. Ballroom Pierre Dulaine (1944-) is best known for his method of teaching dance to youth, portrayed in the movie Take the Lead (2006). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-8 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631042312714-159XZDZ0JWVNVJBFS95W/vera+zorina.jpg April 8 - April 8 Born Today: Michael Bennett Former Broadway dancer Michael Bennett (1943-1987) choreographed and directed "A Chorus Line" in 1975 after a series of workshops held with Broadway dancers to discuss their careers and lives, recorded during a Broadway musical slump. Perhaps one of the most ironic twists in this show is that, although the audience spends almost all of the show getting to know the dancers individually, at the end they become one of many dressed in gold tuxedos and top hats within the final dance number, One. The show became one of the longest-running shows on Broadway and Bennett consulted on the 1985 film version. Bennett died way too young and the loss is still keenly felt. Also Born Today: Ballerina Marie Gardel (1770-1833) was featured in many ballets choreographed by her husband Pierre Gardel (1758-1840) of the Paris Opera Ballet. Dancer and scholar Judith Chazin-Bennahum (1937-) has written several books on dance including René Blum and the Ballets Russes: In Search of a Lost Life (2011). Choreographer Liam Scarlett (1986-2021) was an artist in residence with the Royal Ballet and created works for dance companies such as Ballet Black, BalletBoyz, English National Ballet, and the New Zealand Ballet, among many others. ------ Ballet Premiere: Pillar of Fire in 1942 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-19 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631049918785-WY276VQIODMNLN1IB24W/vera+zorina.jpg April 19 - April 19 Born Today: Lulu Sweigard Movement theorist and teacher Lulu Sweigard (1895-1974) enhanced the work by her teacher Mabel Elsworth Todd (1880-1956), and named it Ideokinesis, a name composed of the Greek words for thought and movement. Ideokinesis is the practice of using guided imagery and visualization to improve a dancer’s alignment and movement capacity. and the processes are detailed in Dr. Sweigard’s book, Human Movement Potential: Its Ideokinetic Facilitation (1974). Sweigard taught at Juilliard for nearly two decades and her work has been further expanded by Irene Dowd (1946-) and Eric Franklin (1957-). ------ Broadway Premieres: Carousel in 1945, The Producers in 2001 Movie: Stand Up and Cheer released in 1934 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-18 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631049847261-RTH0SIX6CCKDUXWUCZ7C/vera+zorina.jpg April 18 - April 18 Born Today: Lois Greenfield Photographer Lois Greenfield (1949-) changed the way we look at dance photography. Her work is instantly recognizable, featuring dancers caught in midair and we have her to thank for showing how immediate and vital movement can be, even in the static pages of a book. Check out her online galleries and prepare to be amazed. Also Born Today: Early ballet dancer Gaetan Vestris (1729 – 1808) danced at the Paris Opera and was the father of dancer Auguste Vestris (1760-1842). Dancer Louis Milon (1766-1849), who was the assistant ballet master to choreographer Pierre Gardel (1758-1840) and created works of his own, including Pygmalion (1799). Ballerina Marcia Haydée (1937-) danced with the Stuttgart Ballet and has been the director of the Santiago Ballet since 1992. Dancer Vladimir Vasiliev (1940-) was married to ballerina Ekaterina Maximova (1939-2009) and directed the Bolshoi Ballet from 1995-2000. Contemporary ballet choreographer Mats Ek (1945-), who inherited the Cullberg Ballet from his mother Birgit Cullberg (1908-1999). Film choreographer Kenny Ortega (1950) is best known for choreographing Dirty Dancing (1987) and directing the movie version of Newsies (1992). ------ Ballet Premiere: Fancy Free in 1944 Broadway Premiere: Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-12 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631048524214-72726ILGUZZM08CMCRCZ/vera+zorina.jpg April 12 - April 12 Born Today: Ann Miller Tap dancer and Hollywood musical star Ann Miller (1923-2004) began taking dance classes as a child to strengthen her legs from illness. She and her mother relocated to Los Angeles and she was discovered performing in a nightclub by comedienne Lucille Ball. At the tender age of 13 (they thought she was 18), she began making movies. Miller later starred in Easter Parade (1948), On the Town (1949), and Kiss Me Kate (1953). When movie musicals lost steam in the late 1950s, she pursued opportunities on Broadway, starring in Mame (1966) and in Sugar Babies (1979). Also Born Today: Choreographer Jiří Nemeček (1924-1991) directed Prague National Theatre Ballet from 1957-1970 and 1979-1989, where he created more than 70 ballets. The godfather of voguing, Willi Ninja (1961-2006), appeared in the documentary film Paris is Burning (1990) and coordinated his own group, the House of Ninja, to prepare dancers for competing in drag balls. ------ Broadway Premiere: An American in Paris in 2015 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-25 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631050593438-041Q3Y8MSO5XORVEW7I3/vera+zorina.jpg April 25 - April 25 Born Today: Sara Baras Spanish Flamenco dancer Sara Baras (1971-) began her studies at her mother’s school and began performing as a youth at festivals and other gatherings worldwide. She established her own company in 1998 and has presented thirteen themed concerts in some of the most prestigious venues including the Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, the Kennedy Center in DC, the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, and City Center in New York. Her dancing was featured in the movie Mission Impossible 2 (2000), several flamenco documentaries and in a documentary about her career in 2017. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer and choreographer Stanislaw Miszczyk (1910-1976) helped to re-establish Polish ballet after WWII between 1945 and his retirement in 1972. Ballerina Melissa Hayden (1923-2006) danced with NYCB from 1948-1973 and after retiring, she taught at several prestigious colleges. Tap dancer Ernest “Brownie” Brown (1916- 2009), danced with the Original Copasetics and was the performing partner of Charles “Cookie” Cook (1914-1991), with whom he appeared in Kiss Me Kate (1948) on Broadway. Kabuki actor and celebrated onnagata (male performer of female roles), Bandō Tamasburō V (1950-) toured the US in 1985, directed the film Yearning (1993) and has performed alongside drumming groups and musician Yo Yo Ma. ------ Movie: Ziegfeld Girl released in 1941 Broadway Premiere: Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk in 1996 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-30 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631051056040-8ZQPH86DGU4W4PEHQ01A/vera+zorina.jpg April 30 - April 30 Born Today: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (1973-) trained at the Royal Ballet Academy at Antwerp and performed with several contemporary ballet companies before pursuing a career as a freelance choreographer, her goal since the age of 11. She is one of a (currently) small number of female contemporary ballet choreographers and she creates non-narrative pieces, full-length works, and dances for theatre, opera, musical theatre, and film on companies worldwide. Her signature piece, Before After (2002), created for the Dutch National Ballet company, led to additional commissions with companies including Ballet Hispanico, Scottish Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, English National Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem and NYCB. Also Born Today: Indian classical dancer Sonal Mansingh (1944-) began her professional dance training at the age of 18, becoming proficient in bharatanatyam and odissi and later founding the Centre for Indian Classical Dances in New Delhi. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-29 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631050972209-GQSX6WFBA2RZ49TMXHBG/vera+zorina.jpg April 29 - April 29 Born Today: Jean-Georges Noverre In his day, dancers wore wigs, masks, heeled shoes, panniers, fitted britches, coats and vests, heavy jewelry and voluminous dresses as costumes. Choreographer and writer Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810) wondered why anyone would want to wear all that stuff for dancing, as he thought it might get in the way of being expressive. Happy International Dance Day, celebrated on Noverre’s birthday! Ballet dancers everywhere have him to thank for freeing them from the tyranny of the pannier, an actual cage worn under dresses designed to shape dresses like parade floats. Also Born Today: Avant-garde dance filmmaker, Maya Deren (1917-1961) is revered by dancers and filmmakers alike for A Study in Choreography for Camera (1945). Ballerina Zizi Jeanmarie (1924-2020), is best known for the ballet Carmen (1949), choreographed for her by her husband, dancer Roland Petit (1924-2011). Ballerina Collete Marchand (1925-2015) is best known for her role in the movie Moulin Rouge (1952), earning her a Golden Globe award. ------ Movie: Shall We Dance released in 1937 Broadway Premiere: Hair in 1968, Rent in 1996 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-11 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631048445753-SEVJ3Y95TFTZBMSOYF6Z/vera+zorina.jpg April 11 - April 11 Born Today: Doris Hering Dance advocate and critic, Doris Hering (1920-2014) began reviewing dance in the late 1940s and served as the associate editor and main critic for Dance Magazine from 1951-1971. On out-of-town assignment in 1957, she discovered a strong regional dance presence in areas of the country not typically covered by New York-based publications at the time. Afterwards she began including more regional news and reviews in the magazine. She helped to coordinate existing regional ballet associations and in 1972 was named the Executive Director of Regional Dance America, and served until 1987. Also Born Today: Triple-threat Joel Grey (1932-), who is best known for creating the role of the Master of Ceremonies in both the stage and film versions of Cabaret (movie-1972). Versatile performer Bill Irwin (1950-) is best known for being a clown and a mime, but he also displays his tap dance skills in projects such as the movie musical Stepping Out (1991). Ballerina Gillian Murphy (1979-) has danced with ABT since 1996. ------ Broadway Premiere: On Your Toes in 1936 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-28 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631050837844-9RDK64G6JYKX6NQL81Z4/vera+zorina.jpg April 28 - April 28 Born Today: Harry Shum, Jr. Harry Shum, Jr. (1982-) is best known for creating the role of Mike Chang on the TV series Glee (2009-2015) and for appearing in dance films You Got Served (2004) and Stomp the Yard (2007) as well as two of the Step Up movie sequels (2008 and 2010). Although born in Costa Rica, he grew up in San Francisco and auditioned for the high school dance team, and then left college to pursue a dance career. He worked as a back-up dancer for artists including Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, and Jennifer Lopez, and appeared in music videos by Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey. Later he co-choreographed episodes of The LXD (Legion of Extraordinary Dancers) a web series that showcased different hip hop dance styles. Also Born Today: Singer/dancer Ann-Margret (1941-) starred in the movie version of Bye Bye Birdie (1963), and in movie musicals Viva Las Vegas (1964), and Tommy (1975). ------ Ballet Premiere: The Snow Queen in 1986 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-27 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631050752324-P5GZ0BEMSF3WL5BYUVDX/vera+zorina.jpg April 27 - April 27 Born Today: Jack Cole Dancer and choreographer Jack Cole (1911-1974) is often called the ‘Father of Theatrical Jazz Dance,’ and indeed he blended the components of what is now called jazz dance - jagged syncopated movement featuring isolations and influences from modern dance and world dance styles. He began studying dance with Denishawn and early modern choreographer Doris Humphrey (1895-1958) and made a name for himself as a Broadway choreographer and nightclub performer. Starting in the mid 1940s, he split his time between Broadway and Hollywood, choreographing for Rita Hayworth (1918-1987) in Gilda (1946) and Down to Earth (1947), and making Marilyn Monroe look spectacular in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and Some Like it Hot (1959). He mentored Broadway dancer Gwen Verdon (1925-2000) and his style is evident in the work of subsequent generations of Broadway dancers and choreographers. Also Born Today: Indian dancer Zohra Sehgal (1912-2014) danced with Uday Shankar (1900-1977) in the 1930s and appeared in Bollywood films and in Merchant/Ivory Films in the 1980s, Lindy Hop dancer Leon James (1913-1970) is best known for partnering Willa Mae Ricker (1910-1978). Postmodern choreographer, dance critic, and former architecture student Gus Solomons, Jr. (1940-) conceives of dance as “melted architecture”. Ballerina Darcey Bussell (1969-) performed with the Royal Ballet from 1989-2007 and was named president of the organization in 2012. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-6 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631042186098-OBILSPPS3P6LG3Q6ENFJ/vera+zorina.jpg April 6 - April 6 Born Today: Louie Spence As a young dancer, Louie Spence (1969-) performed in West End Musicals Cats (1981), choreographed by Gillian Lynne (1926-2018), and Miss Saigon (1989), choreographed by Bob Avian (1937-2021). He also performed with the Spice Girls and Bjork as a back-up dancer. In 2010, he appeared in the TV show Pineapple Dance Studios, based in part on the actual dance studio, located in London. Since that time, he has appeared as a judge or contestant on multiple televised reality shows. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-10 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631042441024-14HL57TU1WKAUM5DGPS6/vera+zorina.jpg April 10 - April 10 Born Today: Monsieur Albert Born François-Ferdinand Decombe, Monsieur Albert (c.1787-1865), known as simply Albert, danced during a time when male dancers were revered more than female dancers. He joined the Paris Opera in 1808 upon the recommendation of fellow dancer Auguste Vestris (1760-1842) and appeared in Flore et Zéphire (1815) by Charles Didelot (1767-1837), a ballet featuring dancers harnessed to wires in order to fly them in the air onstage. He also danced in ballets by choreographers Pierre Gardel (1758-1840) and Jean-Louis Aumer (1774-1833) and he was considered a danseur noble type - a tall and well proportioned dancer with a refined and elegant movement quality that was generally cast as a prince or nobleman. In comparison, his contemporary, Antoine Paul (1798-1871), better known as Paul, was considered a demi-caractère type, a dancer short in stature specializing in jumps. Monsieur Albert also choreographed ballets including Cendrillon (1822) and La Jolie Fille de Gand (1842) and his most famous pupil was choreographer Arthur Saint-Leon (1821-1870), the creator of one of the oldest ballets, Coppélia (1870). ------ Movies: Small Town Girl released in 1953, Newsies released in 1992 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/april-21 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631050103720-KQJX9FNZCB1N7KHPIIYF/vera+zorina.jpg April 21 - April 21 Born Today: Billy Wilson Dancer Billy Wilson (1935-1994) began his dance studies through the Philadelphia school system and won a scholarship to study with choreographer Antony Tudor (1908-1987) and he performed with the Philadelphia Ballet. Wilson relocated to New York and began dancing on Broadway in Bells are Ringing (1956) and Jamaica (1957), later returning to Broadway and choreographing Bubbling Brown Sugar (1976) and Eubie! (1977). In the intervening years, he danced with the National Ballet of Holland, taught at several universities in Massachusetts, and choreographed for the children’s TV show ZOOM (1976-1981). His choreography has also been performed by Philadanco, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Also Born Today: Protege of Jean Dauberval (1742-1806), choreographer Jean-Louis Aumer (1774-1833) was the ballet master of the Paris Opera between 1820 and 1831, creating ballets including La Somnambule ou L'Arrivée d'un nouveau seigneur (1927). His two most famous pupils were sisters Therese Elssler (1808-1878) and Fanny Elssler (1810-1884). Bolshoi ballerina and teacher, Elizabeth Anderson-Ivantzova (1890-1973) opened a school in New York and taught many famous students, including Zena Rommett (1920-2010), the creator of the Floor Barre technique. Broadway dancer Susanne Carmina Cansino (1930-2021) and first cousin to movie musical star Rita Hayworth (1918–1987), was the last surviving member of the Dancing Cansinos. ------ Broadway Premiere: Annie in 1977 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-13 daily 0.75 2022-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631650123500-STL18J2X0Q4OVDRLH1XT/vera+zorina.jpg May 13 - May 13 Born Today: Balasaraswati Indian dancer Balasaraswati (1918-1984), was born a seventh generation Devadasi, or temple dancer, and trained in bharatanatyam dance. Before her time, the dance form had fallen into disrepute, as it became linked with prostitution and nautch dancing, a word which sounds as sordid as the practice. Balasaraswati became the face of the revamped bharatanatyam and she introduced the dance to audiences all over the world from the 1930s onward, restoring dignity to the form and respect for its practitioners. She opened a school in the 1950s and began training dancers, but continued touring the world for decades. Balasaraswati was admired and supported by famed dancer Uday Shankar (1900-1977), who had collaborated with Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) and brought attention to the dances of India a generation before. Also Born Today: Dancer/anthropologist La Meri (1898-1988) traveled the world and studied many forms of dance, later forming the Ethnologic Dance Center (1942-1956). She was considered an expert on many world dance forms and inspired others to respect and investigate dances from other continents. Director/dancer Herbert Ross (1927-2001) was married to ballerina Nora Kaye (1920-1987) and choreographed House of Flowers (1954) on Broadway before directing several dance films including The Turning Point (1977) and Footloose (1984). Dance writer/critic Clive Barnes (1927-2008) wrote about dance for the New York Times from 1965-1977 and wrote several books as well. Augustin "Augie" Rodriguez (1928-2014) and his wife, dancer Margo Rodriguez (1929-2019) helped to popularize the Mambo in the US during the 1950s. ------ Broadway Premiere: The Pajama Game in 1954 Ballet Premiere: Le Dieu Bleu in 1912 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-9 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631649729354-7J0MPO3PRCKZHOMD3DR1/vera+zorina.jpg May 9 - May 9 Born Today: Mallika Sarabhai Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Mallika Sarabhai (1955-) has had an eclectic career, appearing in the Peter Brook play, The Mahabarata (1985), which ran 9 hours long. She manages the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in India, has appeared in films since the age of 15, and has scripted plays and televised shows. She is as well known for her social activism as her dancing, producing thousands of televised projects that empower women, share scientific concepts, and promote environmental awareness. Also Born Today: Ballerina Violetta Bovt (1927-1995) moved to the Soviet Union as a youngster and later studied at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. She performed with the Stanislavski Theatre for 35 years and was not allowed to perform in the United States during her career, nor was she invited to be a permanent performer at the Bolshoi or the Maryinsky Theatres because she wouldn’t renounce her US citizenship. ------ Broadway Premiere: Blackbirds of 1928 Movie: The Great American Broadcast released in 1941 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-5 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631649374582-UGE29AWOLRB16D9USARJ/vera+zorina.jpg May 5 - May 5 Born Today: Arlene Croce Dance writer Arlene Croce (1934-2024) graduated from Barnard College in 1955 and founded the Ballet Review magazine in 1965. Although ballet is of primary concern in her writings, she also writes about social and film dance - in fact her book The Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Book (1972) cemented her reputation as the expert on the dance movie duo. She served as a dance critic for the New Yorker magazine from 1973-1998, wrote for the Dance in America series in the 1970s, and published several collections of her reviews and essays, including Afterimages (1978), Going to the Dance (1982), and Sight Lines (1987). She has also written for The Film Quarterly, The Dancing Times, and The Atlantic Monthly, but famously refused to review the multimedia piece Still/Here (1994) by contemporary modern choreographer Bill T. Jones (1952-), stating that it was unreviewable “victim art”. Also Born Today: Ballerina Elena Lukom (1891-1968) trained at the Imperial Ballet school and danced with the company for over 30 years, retiring from performing in 1941. Dance philanthropist Sage Cowles (1925-2013) studied at the School of American Ballet and performed on Broadway as a young dancer, and later performed with Bill T. Jones (1952-) in The Last Supper at Uncle Tom's Cabin/The Promised Land (1992). Dancer Lee Mae-Bang (1927-2015) preserved traditional forms of Korean dance and introduced international audiences to an expanded scope of the dance form over a 70+ year career. ------ Broadway Premiere: Damn Yankees in 1955 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-11 daily 0.75 2022-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631649929402-OFOT1ZHKQ9R9USE6ZW35/vera+zorina.jpg May 11 - May 11 Born Today: Martha Graham Modern dance pioneer Martha Graham (1894-1991) began her dance training around her twenties and studied with the Denishawn school and performed with the company before starting her own company in New York in the mid 1920s. Graham stepped away from costumed solos and created a technique centered around contraction and release of the core. She was more concerned with creating dances that reflected inner emotions than devising pleasing shapes or exotic solos, and her style was utterly unlike ballet. Graham’s movement was grounded, stark, angular, and percussive, and she preferred to dance in bare feet. During her Greek cycle, inspired by the first male member of her company (and briefly her husband) Erick Hawkins (1909-1994), Graham explored the female psyche in dances based on tragic heroines of Greek mythology, including Cave of the Heart (1946), based on the story of Medea, and Night Journey (1947), told from Queen Jocasta’s point of view. Graham’s influence on the next generation of modern and post-modern dancers cannot be overstated and many of them danced with her before making their own mark on the field of dance. Also Born Today: Ballerina Fanny Cerrito (1817-1909) studied with famed teacher Carlo Blasis (1797-1878) and danced in Pas de Quatre (1845), choreographed by Jules Perrot (1810-1892), along with three of the most famous dancers of the time. Early hip hop dancer Shabba Doo (1955-2020) is the stage name of Adolfo Quiñones, who starred in Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (both 1984). Broadway dancer Charlotte d'Amboise (1964-) performed in Cats (1992) and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (1989) and is the daughter of ballet dancer/teacher Jacques d’Amboise (1934-2021) and ballerina/photographer Carolyn George (1927-2009). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-8 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631649654903-AWR5PWHTPOYXG90EH4HC/vera+zorina.jpg May 8 - May 8 Born Today: Raoul Trujillo Dancer Raoul Trujillo (1955-) began studying dance in college and in 1978 decided to pursue a career in dance. He performed with postmodern choreographer Alwin Nikolais (1910-1993) from 1980-1987 and left the company to co-found the American Indian Dance Theatre that same year. The company promoted Native American dance, songs, and culture and was in operation circa 2004. Trujillo began appearing in movies in 1991 and hosted the Dancing multi-part series in 1993. Since that time, Trujillo has continued to appear in movies including The New World (2005) and Apocalypto (2006) and in TV series including Trueblood, Jamestown, and Mayans M.C. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Felix Blaska (1941-) performed with Roland Petit (1924-2011) in the 1960s and began choreographing the same decade. In 1978 he formed a company called Crowsnest with Martha Clarke (1944-) and collaborated with Pilobolus. Dancer/choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett (1956-) is best known for choreographing the movie Footloose (1984) and the Broadway show Swing! (2000), however, she also replaced ailing choreographer Michael Bennett (1943-1987) for the musical Chess (1988). ------ Dance Premiere: Seraphic Dialogue in 1955, Dances at a Gathering in 1969 Broadway Premiere: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 1962 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-2 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631398772819-TCIVHXY5XBIMKT5DI9DN/vera+zorina.jpg May 2 - May 2 Born Today: Vernon Castle Ballroom dancer Vernon Castle (1887-1918) was the husband/performing partner of Irene Castle (1893-1969). Together, they made ballroom dancing fashionable and performed in nightclubs and on Broadway in the early part of the twentieth century. During the height of their partnership, he insisted on fighting in WWI and trained to be a pilot. Although he survived the war, he was killed in a plane crash just outside of Fort Worth in 1918, ending a magical duo entirely too soon. The 1939 biopic, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle, starred Fred Astaire (1899-1987) and Ginger Rogers (1911-1995) as the couple. Also Born Today: Italian ballet dancer Nicola Guerra (1865-1942) is best known for teaching and setting choreography on dancers at several prestigious European companies including the Paris Opera Ballet and the Budapest Opera. Broadway dancer/choreographer Tony Stevens (1948-2011) was the assistant on the original version of Chicago (1975). He also organized the taped dancer confessions that inspired the Broadway musical A Chorus Line (1975), and he choreographed the movie version of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-4 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631398965028-6A906SSA2O6MK2ECBIDR/vera+zorina.jpg May 4 - May 4 Born Today: Lincoln Kirstein We have impresario and philanthropist Lincoln Kirstein (1907-1996) to thank for the New York City Ballet. After seeing the ballet Apollo (1928) by George Balanchine (1904-1983), Kirstein was determined to entice Balanchine to settle in the United States and start a professional ballet company on the East Coast. In 1933, they established the School of American Ballet and the following year, Balanchine debuted his first American piece, Serenade (1934). True to his word, Kirstein supported Balanchine in founding a school first, and the founding of the company followed in 1946, christened NYCB in 1948. Kirstein remained the general director of NYCB until 1989. Also Born Today: Norwegian ballet dancer/choreographer Jorunn Kirkenær (1926-2021) performed in the 1940s and 1950s and founded a school in 1966. Film star Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) studied ballet both before and after WWII, but severe malnutrition from the war damaged her ability to pursue dancing professionally. She turned instead to acting, starring in Gigi (1951) on Broadway, and the movie Roman Holiday (1953), her breakout film. Over the next decade, she danced in musicals Funny Face (1957) with Fred Astaire (1899-1987), and My Fair Lady (1964). Spanish flamenco dancer Carmen Salazar Vargas, known as La Camboria (1931-2021) toured Europe and befriended writer Agatha Christie. Vargas died from COVID in 2021. ------ Movies: The Barkleys of Broadway released in 1949, Daddy Long Legs released in 1955, on Audrey Hepburn’s birthday. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-3 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631398856982-01JBKPIOUSA5LZF67GSV/vera+zorina.jpg May 3 - May 3 Born Today: Garth Fagan Choreographer Garth Fagan (1940-) began performing in high school with the Jamaican National Dance Company and continued dancing in college while pursuing a degree in psychology. Fagan directed the All-City Dance Company in Detroit and relocated to New York to perform with Pearl Primus (1919-1994) and Lavinia Williams (1916-1989) in the 1960s. At the end of the decade, he was invited to teach at SUNY Brockport and, inspired by the inner-city students he encountered in Rochester, he founded the Bottom of the Bucket...BUT Dance Company, which later became Garth Fagan Dance. He developed the Fagan Technique, melding modern dance, Afro-Caribbean movement, ballet speed and precision, and post-modern experimentation in his technique classes and his choreography. He is perhaps best known as the ingenious choreographer of The Lion King (1997) on Broadway, a show that makes use of full-body animal puppets powered by dancers. Also Born Today: Bolshoi ballerina Alexandra Balashova (1887-1979) was painted by artist Filipp Malyavin. Ballerina Mona Inglesby (1918-2006) directed the English touring company International Ballet from 1941-1953. Inglesby hired Nicholas Sergeyev (1876-1951), former member of the Russian Imperial Ballet, to stage the classical ballets of Marius Petipa (1818-1910) and others on her company. Sergeyev had fled the 1917 Russian Revolution salvaging a collection of papers notating 20 ballets, now known as the Sergeyev Collection, preserving important documentation of an important time in ballet history. Ballerina Marina Svetlova (1922-2009) danced with one of the Ballets Russes company offshoots, ABT, and the Metropolitan Opera ballet before accepting a teaching post at Indiana University. Known as the Godfather of Soul and the master of the Mashed Potato dance, singer/dancer James Brown (1933-2006) inspired the next generation of singer/dancers including Prince (1958-2016) and Michael Jackson (1958-2009). Dancer/teacher Lindsay Kemp (1938-2018) is best known for starring in The Line, The Cross, and The Curve (1993) with singer/dancer Kate Bush (1958-). Contemporary dance choreographer Hofesh Shechter (1975-) formed his company in 2008 and is best known for several iterations of the piece Political Mother (2010). ------ Dance Premiere: Night Journey in 1947 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-1 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631398655235-8U7NP6L0JM0FSBB9O988/vera+zorina.jpg May 1 - May 1 Born Today: May O’Donnell Modern dancer May O’Donnell (1906-2004) began her studies at age 17 with Estelle Reed (1904-1996) and Michio Ito (1892-1961) in California before relocating to New York City and joining Martha Graham (1894-1991) from 1932-1938 and as a guest from 1944 to 1952. In between, she returned to California and danced with Gertrude Shurr (?-1992) and José Limón (1908-1972). O’Donnell created roles in some of Graham’s best known works, including Appalachian Spring (1944) and Cave of the Heart (1946), and O’Donnell choreographed her own works, including Suspension (1946). She retired from performing in 1961, but continued to choreograph for her company until 1988. Also Born Today: Modern dancer Bettie de Jong (1933-) performed with Martha Graham (1894-1991) and with Paul Taylor (1930-2018) from 1962-1985 in seminal pieces including Esplanade (1975) and Cloven Kingdom (1976). She also appeared in the dance film Nine Variations on a Theme (1967) by Hilary Harris. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-14 daily 0.75 2022-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631650260777-F1EJVD289A9DHUMF33H8/vera+zorina.jpg May 14 - May 14 Born Today: Marie Chouinard Dancer/choreographer Marie Chouinard (1955-) spent the first dozen years of her career as a solo artist, creating over 30 works on herself, including Crystallisation (1978). In 1990, she formed a company, which has performed in festivals and engagements all over the globe, including commissions for site work in museums. Her works, including The Rite of Spring (1993), bODY_rEMIX/gOLDBERG_vARIATIONS (2005), and Hieronymus Bosch: The Garden of Earthly Delights (2016), which was created for the 500 year commemoration of the artist’s death, are boldly provocative and NSFW. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Brian Macdonald (1928-2014) went on to direct multiple companies and directed the Banff Summer Dance Program from 1982-2001, training dancers and choreographers including Crystal Pite (1970-). ------ Dance Premiere: Afternoon of a Faun (Robbins) in 1953 Movie: The Pirate released in 1948 Broadway Premiere: New Girl in Town in 1957 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-7 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631649538955-O9T61FWQTX6AS8IKIZBN/vera+zorina.jpg May 7 - May 7 Born Today: Wendy Whelan Ballerina Wendy Whelan (1967-) trained at the School of American Ballet before joining the company as an apprentice in 1984 and became a principal dancer in 1991. Although she danced Balanchine repertory and worked with Jerome Robbins (1918-1998), she preferred the work of resident choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (1973-). Whelan danced with NYCB for 30 years and created roles in over 40 new ballets with a number of choreographers. She was a guest artist with Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company (2007-2010) and in 2012, she embarked on collaborations with four choreographers in a project entitled Restless Creature. After retiring from ballet in 2014, she pursued contemporary dance, and in 2019 she was named the Associate Artistic Director of NYCB. Also Born Today: Child actor/dancer David Kasday (1942-) appeared in several movies by Gene Kelly (1912-1996), most notably in the movie Invitation to the Dance (1956), dancing in a duet with Kelly. Broadway dancer/choreographer Gail Benedict (1952-) worked with her mentor, modern dancer/choreographer Donald McKayle (1930-2018) on a short-lived show and later performed in Dancin’ (1978) and 42nd Street (1980). Ballerina Michele Wiles (1980-) danced with ABT from 1998-2011, leaving to found Ballet Next, now located in Park City, Utah. ------ Broadway Premiere: Can-Can in 1953 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-6 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631649460676-CFXS4O9XVARGFA7M5TNB/vera+zorina.jpg May 6 - May 6 Born Today: Lew Christensen One of the three Christensen brothers who supported the establishment of professional ballet companies in the United States in the mid-twentieth century, Lew Christensen (1909-1984) is the brother of Harold (1904-1989) and Willam Christensen (1902-2001). The three learned European folk and social dances from their uncle, who they studied with as children. They began performing on the vaudeville circuit and made their way to New York, where Lew began studying ballet with George Balanchine (1904-1983) and joined an early version of the New York City Ballet company, becoming the first American to dance the lead role in Apollo (1928). Lew married Gisella Caccialanza (1914-1998) a few years after choreographing his most famous work, Filling Station (1938). After serving in WWII, Lew briefly became the ballet master at NYCB, but was lured away by his brothers to work on the West Coast for the San Francisco Ballet in 1948. He served in a director role from 1949-1984, fashioning the company’s neoclassical repertoire and raising the troupe’s profile to compete with international ballet companies. Also Born Today: Modern dancer Gertrud Kraus (c.1903-1977) studied with Gertrude Bodenwieser (1890-1959) and worked with Rudolf Laban (1879-1958) before laying the foundation for modern dance to thrive in Israel. Dancer and silent film star Rudolph Valentino (1895-1926) taught ballroom dance before becoming a movie star and was married to dancer and costume designer Natacha Rambova (1897-1966). Sri Lankan dancer/choreographer Kulasiri Budawatta (1950-2021) came from a family of traditional dancers and excelled in the Kandyan style. Ballerina Alessandra Ferri (1963-) danced with the Royal Ballet, ABT, and retired for the first time in 2007, but continued dancing. Ballroom dancer Edyta Śliwińska (1981-) is best known for appearances on the TV dance reality show Dancing with the Stars, and is married to fellow DWTS alum Alec Mazo (1978-). ------ Dance Film Premiere: The Line, the Cross and the Curve in 1994 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-12 daily 0.75 2023-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/65dc8b6d-c4b7-4388-8d3a-152fa2c25c14/DDAhh3hXoAA0vVD.jpg May 12 - May 12 Born Today: Mary Ann Niles Dancer Mary Ann Niles (1923-1987) was the first wife of Bob Fosse (1927-1987) and his dance partner between 1947 and 1951. They both performed in the Broadway show Dance Me a Song (1950) and appeared on the TV show Your Hit Parade that same year, and she continued dancing in Broadway shows, including No No Nanette (1971), until the mid 1970s. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer and choreographer Aurelio Milloss (1906-1988) studied with Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) and worked as a ballet master and director for many European dance organizations including La Scala, the Rome Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. German choreographer and filmmaker Raimund Hoghe (1949-2021) served as the dramaturg for Pina Bausch (1940–2009) from 1980–1990 and began creating his own work, inspired by Bausch. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-10 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631649833727-OGSZX90TN8OKB7XS1IOC/vera+zorina.jpg May 10 - May 10 Born Today: Fred Astaire Legendary dancer Fred Astaire (1899-1987) and his sister Adele Astaire (1896-1981) made a name for themselves as youngsters on the vaudeville circuit with an act that included tap and ballroom dance. They got a break on Broadway in 1917, and performed together in shows throughout the 1920s. Adele left the act in 1932 to marry an English nobleman and Fred returned to Broadway to star in The Gay Divorce (1932) and moved to Hollywood shortly afterward. A fortunate pairing with dancer Ginger Rogers (1911-1995) in the movie musical Flying Down to Rio (1933) sparked a partnership that would last through 10 films, including Top Hat (1935), Follow the Fleet (1936), Swing Time (1936), and Shall We Dance (1937), among others. Although Astaire would go on to dance with other partners and Rogers would pursue dramatic roles, the Astaire and Rogers chemistry created many memorable dances. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer/historian Jan Cieplinski (1900-1972) trained in Poland before dancing with the original Ballets Russes in the 1920s. He worked for several European dance organizations and wrote the book Outline of Polish Ballet History (1956). Modern dancer Helen McGehee (1921-2020) performed with Martha Graham (1894-1991) for 29 years, creating roles in Night Journey (1947) and Clytemnestra (1958) and taught at Juilliard from 1951-1982. Ailey dancer and Artistic Director (1989-2011), modern dancer Judith Jamison (1943-2024) amazed audiences with the solo Cry (1971), a 16-minute tour de force created for her (and dedicated to his mother) by choreographer Alvin Ailey (1931-1989). Actor Victoria Rowell (1959-) studied ballet as a youngster and danced with ABT II before pursuing a television and film career, appearing in the series Diagnosis Murder and in the movie Eve’s Bayou (1997). ------ Dance Premiere: Day on Earth in 1947 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-28 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710749888-92B0TM97AXIZ110CX8ME/vera+zorina.jpg May 28 - May 28 Born Today: Konstantin Zaklinsky Ballet dancer Konstantin Zaklinsky (1955-) studied at the Leningrad Ballet School and began dancing with the Kirov Ballet in 1974. In 1980 he was promoted to principal dancer and was selected by famed ballerina Natalia Makarova (1940-) to partner her in 1988 when she reunited and danced with the Kirov Ballet in London, the same city she sought protection from when she defected from the Soviet Union in 1970. Zaklinsky married fellow Kirov ballerina Altynai Asylmuratova (1961-) and he has appeared as an international guest artist until his retirement in the late 1990s. Also Born Today: Alena Přetáková (1936-2021) was a Czechoslovakian pedagogue, ethnographer, dancer and choreographer. Ballerina Elizabeth Anderton (1938-) studied at the Sadler's Wells School and in 1955 she joined the Royal Ballet (then called the Sadler’s Wells Opera Ballet) and continued to dance with the company until 1974. In 1976 Anderton joined the London Festival Ballet, where she served as a teacher, guest dancer, and the assistant artistic director (1979-1990), before returning to the Royal Ballet in the 1990s. ------ Ballet Premere: Giselle in 1841 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-18 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631709993793-5RAWQPP5KLAVDAZBL9KO/vera+zorina.jpg May 18 - May 18 Born Today: Margot Fonteyn Ballerina Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) was one of the best-known dancers of the 20th century and her name will always be linked with Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993), a brash and passionate Russian performer and defector. Their partnership re-energized her career in her early forties, when dancers often retire. Fonteyn continued performing until the age of 60 - although she retired from more demanding roles seven years prior - capping a long performing career, indeed. Fonteyn joined the Royal Ballet in the mid-1930s and was a particular favorite of choreographer Frederick Ashton (1904-1988), who created Ondine (1958) for her. Fonteyn’s appearances on the Ed Sullivan TV show and in a live televised version of The Sleeping Beauty in the 1950s helped to promote ballet to the American public and made her an international star. In 1961, Fonteyn was offered the opportunity to perform with Nureyev in his first production with the Royal Ballet, and the pairing was electric. Throughout the 1960s, Fonteyn and Nureyev were the “rock stars” of ballet, performing classical ballets to sold out audiences all over the world. Also Born Today: Ballerina Natalia Osipova (1986-) studied at the Bolshoi Academy and danced with the company before relocating to the United States and dancing with ABT in 2011. In 2013, she began dancing with the Royal Ballet. ------ Dance Premiere: Parade in 1917 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-25 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710517452-1IGAG4189ADKT7QUV46E/vera+zorina.jpg May 25 - May 25 Born Today: Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878-1949) remains the classiest tap dancer on the stairs, his particular specialty. He began performing for change at the age of five and as a young man began performing in vaudeville. Compared with other tap dancers of the day, Robinson’s style was light and upright. He casually chatted with his audience while dancing, which really appealed to audiences on Broadway, where he starred in shows including Blackbirds of 1928. Later in his career he danced with child star Shirley Temple (1928-2014), often cited as the first interracial dance pairing, and his last appearance on film was in the movie Stormy Weather (1943) featuring singer Lena Horne, the Nicholas Brothers flash tap act and the amazing Katherine Dunham (1909-2006). National Tap Day in the United States is celebrated on Robinson’s birthday every year to honor the legendary dancer. Also Born Today: Hungarian choreographer and philosopher Valeria Dienes (1879-1978) created a movement system called Orchestrics, inspired by Isadora Duncan (1877-1927), which was rediscovered and published in 1996. Ballet dancer José Manuel Carreño (1968-) performed with ABT and the Royal Ballet and appeared in the movie Born to Be Wild – The Leading Men of American Ballet Theatre (2007). Charles "Lil Buck" Riley (1988-) dances Memphis jookin’, a street dance he helped popularize while performing to The Dying Swan, played by Yo-Yo Ma, a video clip that went viral on YouTube. ------ Ballet Premiere: Coppélia in 1870 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-19 daily 0.75 2022-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710081007-1I2TFSGG5M29OFX1UT0R/vera+zorina.jpg May 19 - May 19 Born Today: Zena Rommett The originator of the Floor Barre technique, ballerina Zena Rommett (1920-2010) revolutionized the teaching of ballet and the rehabilitation of injured dancers by changing the body’s relationship with gravity. As a young dancer, she studied with famed teaching couple Ludmilla Schollar (1888-1978) and Anatole Vilzak (1896-1998) and performed on Broadway in several shows, including Paint Your Wagon (1951) before dedicating herself to teaching. In 1965 she was invited by Robert Joffrey (1930-1988) to teach at his school and in 1968 she founded her own school in New York, attracting students from ballet, modern, and musical theatre backgrounds. Her students found that without the usual pull of gravity, they could focus attention on alignment, lengthening, and stabilization, and they could use the technique as injury prevention as well as rehab. In 1998, Rommett and her daughter began certifying others to teach the technique and the innovator taught until the age of 90. Also Born Today: Choreographer Antoine Bournonville (1760-1843) danced with the Royal Swedish Ballet and was the ballet master for the Royal Danish Ballet, a post left to his son, famed choreographer August Bournonville (1805-1879). Biologist and body work pioneer Ida Rolf (1896-1979) created the alignment method called Rolfing, AKA Structural Integration, and began teaching it in the mid-1960s, leading her to create a formal training institute in 1971. Tap dancer Derick K. Grant (1973-) is best known for his work in the Broadway show Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk (1996) and has appeared on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance. ------ TV Premiere: Glee (2009-2015) Ballet Premiere: Prince Igor in 1909 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-21 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710254475-0HTM4YY265RD03XCIB8U/vera+zorina.jpg May 21 - May 21 Born Today: Rosalia Chladek Modern dancer Rosalia Chladek (1905-1995) was instrumental in the training of dancers in and around Vienna and other parts of Austria. Chladek studied the theories of Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950), the developer of Eurythmics, in Germany from 1921-1924 and performed with the Hellerau Dance Group, later teaching for the Hellerau School, where she had trained. She also held the post of Artistic Director from 1930-1939. During this period, she created many solo works and choreographed for plays, operettas, films and TV programs. From 1942-1952 she directed the dance training at the Vienna Conservatory and from 1952-1970 she headed the theatrical dance area for the Vienna Institute for Music and the Dramatic Arts, and she added modern dance pedagogy into the program in the 1970s. She founded a performing company in 1972 and created the Chladek Technique, utilized primarily for pedagogy and therapeutic purposes. ------ Dance Premiere: The Prodigal Son in 1929 Broadway Premiere: Gypsy in 1959 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-22 daily 0.75 2021-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710314384-HRG0KMSPWIBGDKEWK6JY/vera+zorina.jpg May 22 - May 22 Born Today: Daniel Nagrin Dancer Daniel Nagrin (1917-2008) is best known for his character-driven jazzy modern solo dances Strange Hero (1948) and Man of Action (1948). Writer Don McDonagh said of his choreography, “For him, jazz was not a finger-popping, torso-twisting genre of self-involvement but a tool to explore character”. Nagrin also collaborated on many projects with his wife, modern dancer Helen Tamiris (c.1905-1966), including Annie Get Your Gun (1946) on Broadway. During the last part of his career Nagrin worked at Arizona State University and wrote several books including How to Dance Forever: Surviving Against the Odds (1988). Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Alberto Alonso (1917-2007) was the brother of Fernando Alonso (1914-2013) and co-founder of the National Ballet of Cuba. Alberto is best known for choreographing the Carmen Suite (1967) for ballerina Alicia Alonso (1920-2019), his sister-in-law. Both Uzra Butt (1917-2010) and her sister, dancer Zohra Sehgal (1912-2014) performed with Uday Shankar (1900-1977) in the 1930s. Butt formed a dance troupe in Pakistan in the 1960s and acted in a number of plays. Charles Moore (c.1928-1986) studied modern and African dance and performed with Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) before founding his own company in 1974. Ballerina Irina Kolpakova (1933-) danced with the Kirov and teaches at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg. Kabuki actor/dancer Kichiemon Nakamura II (1944-) was formally adopted by his maternal grandfather to pursue his performing career and has appeared in films and in a TV series Onihei Hankachō (1989-2016). Ballroom dancer Laneeka Barksdale (1972-2020), one of several dancers in her Detroit community to die of COVID in 2020. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-15 daily 0.75 2022-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631650667677-U9REBIWNX6CR9WLPWHBN/vera+zorina.jpg May 15 - May 15 Born Today: Madhuri Dixit Nene Bollywood dancer Madhuri Dixit Nene (1967-) trained in Kathak technique as a child and intended to study microbiology in college, but left school to pursue a dance career. She made her first film appearance in Abodh (1984), which unfortunately flopped. Her breakout role was in the film Tezaab (1988), and following its release she began starring in between three and nine films a year throughout the 1990s. In 1994, Nene (then Dixit) starred in the highest-grossing movie in Hindi Film history Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), cementing her title, the ‘Queen of Bollywood’. In 2013, she launched an online dance school, which offers live and recorded classes of Bollywood-inspired dances and fitness routines. Also Born Today: Dancer Meta Vidmar (1899-1975) is known as the first Slovenian modern dancer. Vidmar trained with German modern dance pioneer Mary Wigman (1886-1973) and established the first modern dance school in Slovenia. ------ Movie: Invitation to the Dance released in 1956 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-31 daily 0.75 2022-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710947234-NTO9J8BAL90U5L9GXOZS/vera+zorina.jpg May 31 - May 31 Born Today: Hans Beck Interestingly, ballet dancer Hans Beck (1861–1952) did not study with the legendary teacher and choreographer August Bournonville (1805–1879) directly, as Bournonville retired before Beck could take class with him at the Royal Danish Ballet School. However, Beck spent his time as ballet master and director of the Danish Ballet (1894–1915) helping to preserve the teachings and works of Bournonville. Bucking the prevailing Modernist trends, Beck solidified the Bournonville method for technique class and he preserved the Bournonville repertory. Although he had an eye for the immediate past, he also had his eyes on the future, allowing the filming of Bournonville’s choreography during the early 1900s. In his own body of work, Beck’s most famous ballet, The Little Mermaid (1909) danced by Ellen Price (1878–1968), inspired the famous mermaid statue still situated in Copenhagen’s harbor. Also Born Today: Beck’s replacement, Russian ballerina Vera Volkova (1905-1975) defected in 1929 to join the original Ballets Russes, but couldn’t, as the company folded that year upon the death of Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929). She retired in 1943 and spent the remainder of her career training world-class dancers in London and Milan, and at the Royal Danish Ballet School, beginning in 1952. In fact, Volkova introduced the Vaganova method into the Danish curriculum. Tango dancer Juan Carlos Copes (1931-2021) is best known for his longtime partnership with Maria Nieves (1934-) and their appearance in the Broadway show Tango Argentino (1985). Dancer Mette Towley (1991-) is best known for her appearance in the movie Cats (2019). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-23 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710364482-X6JDZNYKJ20P712ZNV3V/vera+zorina.jpg May 23 - May 23 Born Today: Tatiana Riabouchinska Dancer Tatiana Riabouchinska (1917-2000) was known as one of the Baby Ballerinas choreographer George Balanchine (1904-1983) discovered at very young ages and hired to dance with the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo. Along with Tamara Toumanova (1919-1996) and Irina Baranova (1919-2008), Riabouchinska was under the age of 15 and tackled major roles in the 1930s, and she remained with the group until 1942. The following year, she married choreographer David Lichine (1910-1972) and they danced all over the world for a decade. The couple retired from dancing in 1953 and opened up a school in Beverly Hills, where she taught for many years. Riabouchinska is featured in the superb Ballet Russes (2005) documentary, which you must see. Also Born Today: Dancer/actor Betty Garrett (1919-2011) is best known for her performance in the movie On the Town (1949) with Gene Kelly (1912-1996) and she later appeared in TV shows All in the Family and Laverne & Shirley. Ballerina Tai Jimenez (1970-) performed with Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Boston Ballet and has taken the stage name Black Light as a performer in her later career. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-20 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710172096-5PEBQCUUQGX15CHJQ2ZE/vera+zorina.jpg May 20 - May 20 Born Today: Joann Kealiinohomoku Dance Anthropologist and writer Joann Wheeler Kealiinohomoku (1930-2015) was a thoughtful dance writer who wondered why we separated so-called "ethnic dance" from other genres of dance, particularly ballet. She felt that this group label relegated dances from other countries to second-class status, beneath European-centric dances. Her dissertation on the subject helped to inspire a paradigm shift regarding how dance researchers, writers, and critics analyze and evaluate dance. Now called World Dance Studies, the name is still problematic, but more egalitarian. Kealiinohomoku founded Cross-Cultural Dance Studies in 1981 and the organization’s archives contain the papers of dance ethnologist Gertrude Kurath (1903-1992) and dancer/professor Eleanor King (1906-1991) Also Born Today: Swedish ballet dancer Christian Johansson (1817-1903) relocated to Russia in 1841 to dance with the Russian Imperial Ballet until 1866, when he became the ballet master and trained the dancers that choreographers Marius Petipa (1818-1910) and Lev Ivanov (1834-1901) used in their most famous classical ballets. ------ Movie: Viva Las Vegas in 1964 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-26 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710591237-7M5I0RNDB6455WUBVFAC/vera+zorina.jpg May 26 - May 26 Born Today: Frankie Manning Frankie Manning (1914-2009), is one of the founders of the Lindy Hop. His mother, a trained ballroom dancer, encouraged him to dance and he frequented the Savoy Ballroom, serving as the choreographer for the amazing group, Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. He partnered several amazing dancers, including Norma Miller (1919-2019) and Willa Mae Ricker (1910-1978) and he appeared in Hellzapoppin’ (1941), a dance clip you should look up right now. In 1955, he took a job with the USPS, but was rediscovered by a new generation of Lindy Hop dancers and he took part in the swing dance revival of the late 20th century. He co-choreographed Black and Blue (1989) and died one month before the large celebration of his 95th birthday. However, the proceeds from the five day celebration were dedicated to a foundation bearing his name - supporting the art of the Lindy Hop dance. Also Born Today: Stage and screen choreographer Sammy Lee (1890-1968) choreographed Ziegfeld shows, including the original version of Show Boat (1927) on Broadway. Lee relocated to Hollywood in the late 1920s and directed musicals both before and after the addition of sound, including Baby Take a Bow (1934) and Bright Eyes (1934), both starring Shirley Temple (1928-2014). Dancer Thelma Hill (1924-1977) got a late start training for a ballet career and danced briefly with Les Ballets Nègres in the 1950s before turning to modern dance and performing with Alvin Ailey (1931-1989), later teaching Lester Horton (1906-1953) technique, one of the foundations of Ailey’s style, and inspiring the next generation of dancers. Ballet dancer Miroslav Kura (1924-) directed the Brno Ballet company from 1964-1973, the Ballet Company of the National Theatre of Prague from 1973-1989. Dancer Lisa Niemi Swayze (1956-) studied with Patsy Swayze (1927-2013) and married dancer/actor Patrick Swayze (1952-2009). She appeared in several projects with him and directed and starred in the movie One Last Dance (2003), along with her husband. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-29 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710811762-MH78GZFB5Z6B7P58U4NX/vera+zorina.jpg May 29 - May 29 Born Today: Bob Hope Comedian and entertainer Bob Hope (1903-2003) was an excellent tap dancer. He got his start as a busker at the age of 12 and decided to enter the vaudeville circuit in the 1920s. He performed on Broadway and on the radio in the 1930s and switched to TV in the 1950s, along with movies, including his Road to… series (1940s-1960s) with singer Bing Crosby. He danced in comedic routines for the series and during USO shows for troops overseas between 1941-1991, but his tapping chops can best be seen in a showdown with dancer/actor James Cagney (1899-1986) in The Seven Little Foys (1955). Go check it out. Also Born Today: Ballerina Charlotte Slottsberg (1760-1800) was one of the first home-grown members of the Royal Swedish Ballet and a favorite partner of dancer Antoine Bournonville (1760-1843). Modern dancer Lillian Powell (1896-1992) danced with Denishawn and Michio Ito (1892-1961), and later appeared in TV shows such as Dragnet. Swing dancer Dean Collins (1917-1984) is given credit for bringing the Lindy Hop from New York to the West Coast, creating West Coast Swing. He danced in several movies, including Hellzapoppin’ (1941) and Springtime in the Rockies (1942). Modern dancer Pearl Lang (1921-2009) performed with Martha Graham from 1942 until the late 1970s and formed her own company, creating over 60 works and teaching students including Pina Bausch (1940-2009) and Madonna (1958-). Dancer Michael Clark (1962-) studied Scottish dance as a youngster and trained at the Royal Ballet before dancing with Ballet Rambert in 1979. He has been producing his own works, which have been described as punk ballet. ------ Dance Premiere: L’Apres-midi d’un faune in 1912 and Le Sacre du Printemps in 1913. Movie: Yankee Doodle Dandy released in 1942 Broadway Premiere: High School Musical in 2007 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-30 daily 0.75 2021-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710863415-3Q1DGRAH7N183R3IX48N/vera+zorina.jpg May 30 - May 30 Born Today: Ruta Lee Dancer Ruta Lee (1935-) studied dance as a child and got her first break in the movies in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), choreographed by Michael Kidd (1915-2007). She went on to dance in Anything Goes (1956) and Funny Face (1957), and has made appearances on dozens of TV shows from the 1950s well into the 21st century, including: Maverick, The Twilight Zone, Mork & Mindy, Fantasy Island, Murder She Wrote, and Days of Our Lives. Also Born Today: Ballerina Pamela May (1917-2005) studied with Ninette de Valois (1898-2001) and danced with the Royal Ballet through several name changes from 1934-1952, continuing to perform character roles until 1982. She taught at the Royal Ballet School from 1954-1977 and served as Vice President of the organization. Ballet dancer Liam Mower (1992-) is best known for being in the original London cast of the stage version of Billy Elliot: The Musical (2005) and in 2011, he began dancing with choreographer Matthew Bourne (1960-) on various projects. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-27 daily 0.75 2021-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710666646-FRSCKERY8G84OGTRAHL5/vera+zorina.jpg May 27 - May 27 Born Today: Isadora Duncan Iconoclast Isadora Duncan (1877-1927) rejected the strictures of ballet technique and attire, refusing to wear a corset and instead opting to dance in flowing Grecian tunics and bare feet. She created her own movement vocabulary inspired by Greek statuary and artwork, consisting of running, leaping, and reaching. Invited to tour with dancer Loie Fuller (1862-1928) in 1902, Duncan delighted audiences and inspired dancers and artists all over Europe. For her, the solar plexus was the location of expressive possibility and she founded several schools to teach her technique, including one in the US. Although she died quite young, her dedicated students, the Isadorables, who all changed their last names to Duncan, continued teaching her technique, often considered the beginning of modern dance in America. Also Born Today: Ballerina Alina Cojocaru (1981-) studied at the Kiev Ballet and the Royal Ballet schools and danced with the Royal Ballet, teaming with Johan Kobborg (1972-) from 2001-2013. That same year, they left for the Romanian National Ballet, she as a principal dancer and he as the artistic director. This short-lived post ended in 2016, but their performance in the lead roles of Akram Khan’s Giselle (2017) introduced them to an even wider world audience. ------ Movie: Golddiggers of 1933 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-17 daily 0.75 2022-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631650844054-DUC605SB76M9NLXC692N/vera+zorina.jpg May 17 - May 17 Born Today: James “Buster” Brown Tap dancer James “Buster” Brown (1913-2002) was inspired to dance after seeing Albert "Pops" Whitman (1921-1951) perform. Brown formed a solid performing group called the Speed Kings 2 around 1933 and moved to New York around 1939. They appeared in the movie Something to Shout About (1943) and shortly afterwards, Brown moved back to New York and began working solo. In the 1960s, he joined The Hoofers group and began attending their tap jams and touring internationally. He joined the Copasetics Club (a group honoring Bill “Bojangles” Robinson) and participated in the tap renaissance of the 1980s. He also appeared in the Bubbling Brown Sugar dance tour and the movie The Cotton Club (1984). One of his last gigs was in 2000 with Savion Glover (1973-), a prominent member of the next generation of tap dancers. Also Born Today: Ballerina Lidija Franklin (1917-2019) performed with the Jooss Ballet until the 1940s and is best known for working with Agnes de Mille(1905-1993) on Broadway in Bloomer Girl (1944) and Brigadoon (1947) before relocating to Venezuela and founding a ballet school. Dance writer Jill Johnston (1929-2010) was an early and articulate advocate of postmodern dance in the 1960s and 1970s, writing primarily for The Village Voice publication. Indian Kathak dancer Kumudini Lakhia (1930-) performed with Ram Gopal (1912-2003) and in her own work she moved away from performing Kathak as a solo dance performed alongside traditional stories, to focus on presenting Kathak as a group dance form utilizing modern themes. Ballerina June Brae (1917-2000) studied alongside ballerina Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) as youngsters growing up in Shanghai and performed with the Royal Ballet. Ballerina Cynthia Harvey (1957-) danced with ABT in the 1970s and the Royal Ballet in the 1980s. Ballet dancer Damian Woetzel (1967-) danced for NYCB from 1985-2008 and appeared in the movie Center Stage (2000). Ballroom dancer Derek Hough (1985-) appeared on Dancing with the Stars from 2007-2016. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-16 daily 0.75 2022-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631650762672-J2WUVO6XVCM2KGY98K0D/vera+zorina.jpg May 16 - May 16 Born Today: Janet Jackson Singer/dancer Janet Jackson (1966-), Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty, was born into a family of famous performers, including siblings Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, LaToya, Marlon, Randy, and of course, Michael. Janet began performing in her family’s variety show in 1976 and went on to appear in several other TV shows including Good Times, Diff’rent Strokes, and Fame. In 1986, her album entitled Control was a smash hit, due in no small part to the iconic dancing in several of her music videos, choreographed by a then-unknown Paula Abdul (1962-). In 1989 Jackson released Rhythm Nation 1814 and the video from the title track features what is thought to be the first filmed example of the Running Man dance. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Nicolas Beriosoff (1906-1996), father of famed ballerina Svetlana Beriosova (1932-1998). He performed with the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo and became the repetiteur (coach and living memory of a piece of choreography) for Michel Fokine (1880-1942). Best known for her role as Batgirl in the 1960s TV series, ballerina Yvonne Craig (1937-2015) danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo in the 1950s and later in life appeared in the Ballet Russe (2005) documentary. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/may-24 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631710450674-210RCW7ZPL0KG9QXABBM/vera+zorina.jpg May 24 - May 24 Born Today: Gene Anthony Ray Dancer Gene Anthony Ray (1962-2003) wowed audiences in the movie Fame (1980) as Leroy, a character whose life mirrored his own, and he joined several of the original cast members for the TV spin-off show, which ran from 1982-1987. Ray began his dance training the way many artists do - by watching talented dancers in the streets and at block parties. He briefly studied at a performing arts high school and skipped school to audition for Louis Falco (1942-1993), the choreographer for the movie. Ray starred in the short-running musical version of Carrie (1988) on Broadway and he appeared in a few other films including Austin Powers: Goldmember (2002). He died way too soon after a pretty tough life - his last project was a reunion documentary for the stars of Fame. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer and choreographer Vittorio Biagi (1941-) studied at La Scala in Italy and danced with Maurice Bejart (1927-2007) in the 1950s and later headed several European dance companies. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-1 daily 0.75 2022-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631711298135-TMILZN7I1J9AKH0O8RF7/vera+zorina.jpg June 1 - June 1 Born Today: Robert North American choreographer Robert North (1945-) studied dance in London and was one of the founding members of the London Contemporary Dance Theatre in 1967. He briefly came back to the US to take class with Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) and dance with Martha Graham (1894-1991), but soon returned to LCDT and choreographed two of his best-known works, Troy Games (1974) and Songs and Dances (1981), the same year he was named co-Artistic Director. He served as Artistic Director of Ballet Rambert from 1981-1986. Since that time, he has been an independent artist making works for companies worldwide, including Batsheva Dance Company and English National Ballet, and has served as a ballet director in Italy and Scotland. Also Born Today: Ballerina Mariane Orlando (1934-) trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet School and joined the company in the late 1940s. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-3 daily 0.75 2022-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631711913488-SXYIT0E8A0LFDWUIAFAO/vera+zorina.jpg June 3 - June 3 Born Today: Josephine Baker The ebullient Josephine Baker (1906-1975) began her career in New York City as a chorus girl, dancing in the Broadway show Shuffle Along (1921) and garnered attention for her comic antics as the last performer in the line to exit the stage. She sailed to Paris as a rising star in 1925 and she became a sensation for her Danse Sauvage act, wearing only a string of artificial bananas as a skirt. She also owned a pet cheetah, who would often join her onstage. Baker remained in France during WWII and as a world-famous entertainer, she was able to secretly gather critical information for the Allied cause at parties and gatherings from unsuspecting officials, a covert activity for which she was awarded several war service medals. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Boris Skibine (1876-1937) performed with the original Ballets Russes, along with his young son George Skibine (1920-1981), but sadly the elder Skibine was executed during Stalin’s Great Purge of 1937. Ballerina Molly Lake (1900-1986) was married to dancer Travis Kemp (1914-1995), performed with Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) in the 1920s and was a founding member of the Cecchetti Society. Choreographer Martha Clarke (1944-) was a founding member of Pilobolus and left the group in 1979 to pursue a career as a director and independent choreographer and is best known for The Garden of Earthly Delights (1984). ------ Broadway Premieres: The Band Wagon (1931) and Chicago (1975) Ballet Premiere: Cléopâtre in 1909 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-6 daily 0.75 2022-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712309278-14JE67SCE7Q8YI3CMBUB/vera+zorina.jpg June 6 - June 6 Born Today: Ninette de Valois Ballerina Ninette de Valois (1898-2001) joined the original Ballets Russes from 1923-1927, and relocated afterwards to London to open a school. She partnered with theatre owner Lilian Baylis to create the Vic-Wells Ballet and the Sadler’s Wells Ballet School, precursors of the Royal Ballet company and school, respectively. In 1933, de Valois retired from the stage to devote herself to growing the organization, which received a royal charter in 1956. De Valois was determined to have her company perform classical ballet repertoire from Russia, including Swan Lake (1876) and The Sleeping Beauty (1889), and she hired choreographer Frederick Ashton (1904-1988) to create ballets with a distinctively British style, including Ondine (1958), Symphonic Variations (1946), and The Dream (1964). Although her energies were focused on creating a foundation for ballet to flourish in the UK, she was also instrumental in the establishment of ballet in Turkey, and she helped to develop the Turkish State Ballet. Also Born Today: Russian ballerina and folk dancer Nadezhda Nadezhdina (c.1908-1979) founded an all-female dance troupe Beroyzka, who enchanted audiences with their ability to walk on their toes under long dresses, appearing to float across the stage. Ballet dancer Hugh Laing (1911-1988) was the partner of choreographer Antony Tudor (1908-1987) and appeared in many of his works, including Lilac Garden (1936), Dark Elegies (1937), and Pillar of Fire (1942). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-17 daily 0.75 2022-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631740950507-ATPNB4DWP69S9USH70MT/vera+zorina.jpg June 17 - June 17 Born Today: Isabelle Delobel Ice dancer Isabelle Delobel (1978-) partnered with Olivier Schoenfelder (1977-) for two decades, winning the Worlds competition in 2008 and the Grand Prix Final in 2009. Delobel began skating at six years old and ice dancing not long afterwards, initially performing with her brother for several years before being paired with Schoenfelder. After winning multiple championships and making it to the 2010 Olympics, the two retired following the Winter Olympics and continue to perform together in shows. Also Born Today: Today is the day of ice dancer birthdays. Italian ice dancer Alessia Aureli (1984-) partnered with Andrea Vaturi (1982-) from 2001-2006, winning several awards. Uladzislau Palkhouski (1998-) is an up-and-coming Belarusian ice dancer partnered with Emiliya Kalehanova (2000-). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-11 daily 0.75 2022-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712683667-IWEWKYG6PPAKLR8A0F7W/vera+zorina.jpg June 11 - June 11 Born Today: Carol Paumgarten Carol Paumgarten (1944-2020) founded the Steps on Broadway dance studios with Patrice Soriero Stambovsky, a jazz choreographer, in 1979 to train dancers of all levels in ballet, modern, contemporary dance, hip hop, tap, and world dance forms. Dancers can take class with world-renowned teachers and beginning dancers can rub elbows with professional dancers in the complex of 11 studios. Although she wasn’t a dancer, Paumgarten loved sports and figure skating and fell in love with dance after taking a class at the Ailey School. Steps on Broadway is a fixture in the New York dance scene and dancers can either take drop-in classes or virtual classes. Also Born Today: Choreographer and director Tony Charmoli (1921-2020) danced and worked on several shows on Broadway, including Woman of the Year (1981), and he is best known for his TV work, including the 1977 version of The Nutcracker, featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-), and the show Star Search in the 1980s. Dancer Gerd Andersson (1932-) performed with the Royal Swedish Ballet in the 1950s and appeared in several films directed by Ingmar Bergman. Modern dancer Betty Jones (1926-2020) is best known for performing with José Limón from 1947-1970 and for creating the role of Desdemona in The Moor’s Pavane (1949). She also taught at American Dance Festival for many decades. Contemporary choreographer Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker (1960-) began studying dance as a senior in high school and she created Rosas danst Rosas (1983), which was filmed by Peter Greenaway a decade later. ------ Movie:The Unsinkable Molly Brown released in 1964 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-9 daily 0.75 2022-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712554897-S2E27XVM234QW6X9U2GZ/vera+zorina.jpg June 9 - June 9 Born Today: Jane Avril As a youth, French can-can dancer Jane Avril (1868-1943) was treated for St. Vitus’ Dance, an older diagnostic term for a condition that causes involuntary jerking motions of the hands and feet, most likely brought on by childhood disease. Known as “The Strange One,” she incorporated the quirky movement into her unique performing style. She was hired by the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris in 1889 and her reputation as an entertainer grew. Artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec featured her on a poster, immortalizing Avril in what is now a well-known image. She retired from performing in 1905 and, unfortunately, died in obscurity. Also Born Today: Ballroom dancer Liu Zhen, aka Serena Liu (1975-2020) studied ballet as a youth and pursued a career as a competitive ballroom dancer, later appearing on Taiwanese television series and talk shows. Natalie Portman (1981-), also known as Darth Vader’s mom, studied ballet and modern dance as a youth, and later starred in the ballet horror film Black Swan (2010). ------ Ballet Premiere: Cinderella in 1824 (choreographed by Charles Didelot) https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-6 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631745263526-RSW0NE5NDTP0GOGJGAG3/vera+zorina.jpg July 6 - July 6 Born Today: Donald McKayle Inspired by Pearl Primus (1919-1994) modern dancer Donald McKayle (1930-2018) began training with the New Dance Group in 1947 and started choreographing dances almost immediately, including the socially-conscious pieces Games (1951) and Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder (1959). He performed on Broadway in House of Flowers (1954) and helped to choreograph Redhead (1959). Later he choreographed and directed Raisin (1973) and conceived and choreographed Sophisticated Ladies (1981). Also Born Today: Pioneering movement teacher Émile-Jaques Dalcroze (1865-1950), whose system to teach musical concepts using movement was called Eurythmics, inspired many early modern dancers and dance theorists. Ballet dancer Francisco Moncion (1918 -1985) began dancing at the age of 20 and was an early member of New York City Ballet, performing with the company for nearly 40 years. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-10 daily 0.75 2022-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712621100-ANRYGYH7K3XISHW8FL41/vera+zorina.jpg June 10 - June 10 Born Today: Judy Garland Legendary singer Judy Garland (1922-1969) is better known for her pipes and for starring in one of the early color musicals The Wizard of Oz (1939), but she was also an accomplished dancer. She showed an early interest in dance and joined her siblings, The Gumm Sisters, later called The Garland Sisters, in their act at the age of two. Garland starred in a number of movie musicals in the 1940s including Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) and Easter Parade (1948), but her performance in Summer Stock (1950) is one of her best. She holds her own with co-star Gene Kelly (1912-1996) and sizzles in the number Get Happy, complete with a lively dancing chorus of men, choreographed by Nick Castle (1910-1968). Also Born Today: Ballerina Svetlana Zakharova (1979-) trained at the Vaganova School in St. Petersburg, and began dancing with the Maryinsky Ballet in 1996 and the Bolshoi in 2003 and she was featured in the documentary Ballerina (2006). ------ Ballet Premiere: Serenade in 1934 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-29 daily 0.75 2022-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631742017267-JSTPGVY9XAJXSH8OE5CD/vera+zorina.jpg June 29 - June 29 Born Today: Fred Kelly Brother of Gene Kelly (1912-1996), Fred Kelly (1916-2000), pictured on the far left, and Gene, along with three other brothers, performed as the Five Dancing Kellys in vaudeville in the 1920s and Fred taught Gene how to tap dance. Fred replaced his brother in the stage show The Time of Your Life (1940) and also appeared in the Broadway version of This is the Army (1942). Fred was requested to teach Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret to ballroom dance while serving in WWII and he taught a young John Travolta (1954-) to dance at the family studio. He only performed on film with his brother once, in the movie Deep in My Heart (1954). Also Born Today: Ballet Dancer Henning Kronstam (1934-1995) performed with the Royal Danish Ballet for over 20 years and he became the ballet master in 1978, producing Bournonville ballets into the 1990s. Ballerina Leslie Browne (1957-) danced with ABT from 1976-1993 and is perhaps best known for her role in The Turning Pointe (1977) opposite Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-). ------ Dance Event: Ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defected from the Soviet Union in 1974. Movie:The King and I released in 1956 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-12 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712772317-WLHN7H34VIB7TWUUESKV/vera+zorina.jpg June 12 - June 12 Born Today: Marina Semyonova Ballerina Marina Semyonova (1908-2010) was one of the first famous students of revered teacher Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951), graduating from the Soviet ballet program in 1925. Semyonova went on to dance for the Kirov before she was transferred to the Bolshoi in 1930 by order of Joseph Stalin, and she performed there until retiring from the stage in 1952. She remained on staff on at the Bolshoi to teach and coach dancers as a répétiteur until the age of 96. Her most famous students included Maya Plisetskaya (1925-2015) and Natalya Bessmertnova (1941-2008). Also Born Today: Tap dancer Ray Winfield (1912-1967) is best known for being a member of the performing group, Tip, Tap and Toe and for his slide moves. Austrian ballet dancer Edeltraud Brexner (1927-2021) joined the Vienna State Opera Ballet in 1944 and later served on the faculty. ------ Ballet Premiere: Apollo in 1928 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-18 daily 0.75 2022-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741038043-9BF7ZUOUV0PO4NFEE71O/vera+zorina.jpg June 18 - June 18 Born Today: Leonid Lavrovsky Ballet dancer and choreographer Leonid Lavrovsky (1905-1967) performed with the Maryinsky Ballet and in a group with the young George Balanchine (1904-1983). In the late 1930s, Lavrovsky directed the Kirov Ballet (previous name of the Maryinsky Ballet) and worked with the composer Sergei Prokofiev to finally produce the ballet Romeo and Juliet (1940), a prime example of a Soviet dramatic ballet. In 1944, Lavrovsky was named the head balletmaster of the Bolshoi Ballet and held that post until 1964. Also Born Today: Modern dancer Ethel Winter (1924-2012) danced with Martha Graham (1894-1991) from the 1940s-1960s and taught dance at Juilliard for 50 years before retiring in 2003. Hungarian choreographer and ballet teacher Ágnes Roboz (1926-2021) led folk dance groups in the 1950s and was a founding teacher at the Hungarian Dance Academy before joining the Royal Ballet teaching staff. Italian singer/actor/dancer Raffaella Carrà (1943-2021) studied at the National Academy of dance in Rome and continued singing and dancing on TV shows in the 1970s. Ballet dancer Derek Deane (1953-) danced for the Royal Ballet in the 1970s-1980s and was the Artistic Director of the English National Ballet from 1993-2001. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-20 daily 0.75 2022-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741176690-YG4NX8QNJFC1NZFKFR8S/vera+zorina.jpg June 20 - June 20 Born Today: Giuseppe Bausilio Broadway dancer Giuseppe Bausilio (1997-) was born to dancer parents and studied dance in Switzerland, appearing in many operas and ballets starting at age 4. He was invited to audition to replace one of the Billys in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot at the age of 11, after winning third place in the prestigious YAGP (Youth American Grand Prix) competition. Bausilio has appeared in the Broadway and touring version Billy Elliot: The Musical (2008), Newsies: The Musical (2012), Aladdin (2014), and Hamilton (2015) as well as recent revivals of Cats and Hello, Dolly!. Also Born Today: As a youngster, ballerina Sonia Arova (1927-2001) barely escaped France when the Nazis invaded in 1940. She went on to perform with multiple ballet companies worldwide and was the first to dance with Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) after he defected from the Soviet Union, in his New York debut with Ruth Page and company in March 1962. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-2 daily 0.75 2022-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631711811402-VRSSO65AF4L27I4IKBVN/vera+zorina.jpg June 2 - June 2 Born Today: John Martin Dance critic John Martin (1893-1985) was the first full-time dance critic for a major publication and he wrote for the New York Times from 1927-1962. Martin embraced and championed modern dance and helped explain the new art form to an uncertain public. He is often quoted as asserting that “The Modern Dance is not a system, it is a point of view” - an important distinction between the two. Whereas ballet technique had been codified hundreds of years earlier, modern dancers created their own movement vocabularies and forged their own path. As a youngster, Martin grew up around the influence of his musical theatre-loving mother and he performed in the theatre and worked in publicity, two activities that would greatly benefit his writing career. He wrote several books about modern dance in the 1930s and taught dance history and criticism in the Bennington College summer dance program and wrote weekly essays for the Sunday Times. Also Born Today: Ballerina Friderica Derra de Moroda (1897-1978) performed as a freelance artist in Vienna and ran a dance school in Vienna from 1952-1967. She spent her later career building up a dance library that she donated to the University of Salzburg. Contemporary dance choreographer Maguy Marin (1951-) danced with ballet choreographer Maurice Bejart (1927-2007) before founding her own company in 1984. Marin is best known for her dances May B (1981) and Cinderella (1985). Ballet dancer Carlos Acosta (1973-) performed with the Royal Ballet from 1998-2015 and was named Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2020. ------ Ballet Premiere: Les Sylphides in 1909 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-14 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712873072-O6SMIYNB2EU9B3LFZSGA/vera+zorina.jpg June 14 - June 14 Born Today: David Howard Acclaimed ballet teacher David Howard (1937-2013) studied at the Royal Academy of Dance and performed with an early version of the Royal Birmingham Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada, and in musical theatre before a back injury forced him to retire from the stage and took up teaching. A chance contact from Rebekah Harkness (1915-1982), who was looking for a teacher for her company, led him to relocate to New York, where he ran the David Howard School of Ballet from 1977-1995. During this time period, he made a name for himself by releasing many recordings of music for ballet class, often played by pianist Douglas Corbin, filling a need for pre-recorded music designed specifically for each part of a ballet class. Chances are very good that if you take a ballet class with pre-recorded music, you are dancing to music from his classes. Also Born Today: Dancer and photographer Donald Bradburn (1940-2020) directed the Fresno Ballet, founded California Ballet Theatre, and worked for Dance Magazine, submitting over 350 images for the publication. World-championship winning Salsa dancer Luda Kroitor (1982-) has also won the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-4 daily 0.75 2022-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631711985933-A5EMA0LWIBL8YNZ3YYPM/vera+zorina.jpg June 4 - June 4 Born Today: Darci Kistler Ballerina Darci Kistler (1964-) began her training at the age of four and in 1979 she was selected to study at the School of American Ballet, joining the NYCB company the following year. Kistler was promoted to the rank of principal dancer at 17 and she performed the role of the Sugarplum Fairy in the 1993 filmed version of The Nutcracker, choreographed by George Balanchine (1904-1983). Kistler is married to dancer and Balanchine successor, Peter Martins (1946-), who stepped down in 2018. After a 30-year career dancing the Balanchine repertory and works by Martins, Kistler retired from performing in 2010. Also Born Today: Flamenco dancer Pilar Lopez (1912-2008) is best known for her performance in the 1933 version of El Amor Brujo, along with her sister, dancer La Argentinita (1898-1945), whose early death inspired Lopez to form her own group. She gave flamenco dancer Antonio Gades (1936-2004) his start at the age of fifteen. Ballerina Nina Vyroubova (1921-2007) performed with choreographer Roland Petit (1924-2011) in the 1940s and with Serge Lifar (1905-1986) at the Paris Opera in the 1950s. She was one of the first to dance with Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) post-defection in 1961. Kabuki performer Tomijuro Nakamura V (1929-2011) made his debut in 1943 and performed under different names before taking his father’s performing name in 1972, appearing on television and in films including Sharaku (1995). ------ Ballet Premiere: Scheherazade in 1910 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-13 daily 0.75 2022-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712822721-KLA8DFGJ5RDCMKDL10CO/vera+zorina.jpg June 13 - June 13 Born Today: Frederic Franklin Ballet dancer Frederic Franklin (1914-2013) began his performing career in Paris with Josephine Baker (1906-1975) in 1931 and he danced with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo from 1938-1952, often partnering ballerina Alexandra Danilova (1903-1997). After retiring from the stage, he became a freelance reviver and restager of ballets, having danced in many of the original ballets. In the mid-1980s he staged a Creole Giselle, set in the Louisiana bayou, for Dance Theatre of Harlem, beginning a fruitful artistic partnership with the company. Although DTH had to stop performing in 2004, they were able to resume again for the 2012-2013 season. Hopefully he got to see them one last time. Also Born Today: Choreographer Loyce Houlton (1925-1995) founded the Minnesota Dance Theatre, created the Houlton Contemporary Technique combining ballet and modern dance principles, and choreographed works including Swan Lake Minnesota (1981). Dance teacher June Finch (1940-2021) produced work for her own company between 1977–1982, performed with Viola Farber (1931–1998), and taught the Cunningham Technique to several generations of modern dancers. Contemporary choreographer Lea Anderson (1959-) co-founded The Cholmondeleys (pronounced chum-lees) and The Featherstonehaughs (pronounced fan-shaws) dance companies. The dancer known as Darcel (1951-) is best known for being the lead Solid Gold Dancer on the music countdown show in the 1980s, but she also appeared in the musical film Xanadu (1980) and on various TV variety shows including The Carol Burnett Show. ------ Ballet Premieres: Petrushka in 1911 and Les Noces in 1923 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-15 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829257270-HUTS5LEY8US5A7FK2CI9/vera+zorina.jpg July 15 - July 15 Born Today: André Lepecki Dance and choreography writer/scholar André Lepecki (1965-) chairs the Performance Studies Department at NYU and has published multiple books on dance and performance including Exhausting Dance: Performance and the Politics of Movement (2006) and Singularities: Dance in the Age of Performance (2016). Lepecki also curates visual art shows including movement and his projects include a re-staging of the first Happening by Allan Kaprow (1927-2006), 18 Happenings in 6 Parts (2006), and MOVE: Choreographing You (2010) in London. Also Born Today: Dancer/choreographer Makhmud Esambayev (1924-2000) grew up performing folk dances at weddings and later entertained Red Army troops during WWII. After the war, he performed character roles and dramatic parts between 1944-1956 with a Kyrgyzstan ballet company. Ballet dancer Royes Fernandez (1929-1980) performed with de Basil’s Original Ballet Russe from 1946-1954 and danced with ABT from 1957-1959, retiring in 1972 to teach. Actor Diane Kruger (1976-) wanted to be a ballerina and studied at the Royal Ballet School, but a knee injury effectively ended her dancing career. She instead pursued acting and starred in the National Treasure movies in 2004 and 2007. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-2 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631744841858-YPJL20N7VN9R006RQMXR/vera+zorina.jpg July 2 - July 2 Born Today: Lavinia Williams Dancer Lavinia Williams (1916-1989) began her training in ballet and later performed with Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) from 1940-1945, joining the company in appearances on Broadway in Cabin in the Sky (1940) and on film in the musical Stormy Weather (1943). Her experience with Dunham inspired her to teach and share Caribbean dance and she founded schools of dance in Haiti, Guyana, and The Bahamas. For a brief time she was married to Leon Theremin, the inventor of the oddly spacey musical instrument named after him. Also Born Today: Ballerina Kyra Nichols (1958-) studied with Alan Howard (1931-2003), himself a former Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo company member and she danced with NYCB from 1974-2007, an unusually long career for a ballet dancer. Indian choreographer Jani Master (1982-) creates dances for Tollywood films, musicals filmed in the Telugu language. His hit dance Butta Bomma (2020) mixes Bollywood dance with Memphis jookin’ and street dance. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-3 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631744942272-SY9ZU7KFUEPLX74RTL0O/vera+zorina.jpg July 3 - July 3 Born Today: Eddie Torres Dancer Eddie Torres (1950-) known affectionately as The Mambo King, is a renowned teacher of New York style salsa dance and his technique has the dancers start on the second count of the music. Torres learned how to dance salsa by watching other dancers in clubs and soon gained a dance partner - his future wife Maria Torres. In 1980, band leader Tito Puente agreed to allow the couple to perform a number in his show, leading to a long-term creative relationship. Torres, with some prodding from ballroom dance teacher June Laberta, is credited with codifying salsa steps and creating a syllabus for teaching salsa dance. Also Born Today: Powerhouse dancer/composer George M. Cohan (1878-1942) is known for songs such as Give My Regards to Broadway and Over There, and for developing American musical comedy in the early years of the 20th century. He wrote and produced over 50 plays, musicals, and revues from 1904-1920. Dancer Syvilla Fort (1917-1975) danced with Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) and founded her own studio, fusing modern dance and Dunham Technique. She also danced to the first piece by composer John Cage on “prepared piano”. Originally from Cuba, Amalia Aguilar (1924-2021) spent most of her career in Mexico, dancing in theatres, cabarets, and on film. She appeared in the Hollywood film A Night at the Follies (1947), but declined to make any other films in the US. ------ Dance Premiere: The Green Table in 1932 TV Premiere: Hamilton July 3, 2020 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-9 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631745504801-XLLW1M9P1PSUOPZ5C1Y8/vera+zorina.jpg July 9 - July 9 Born Today: Margie Gillis Modern dancer and choreographer Margie Gillis (1953-) showed an early capacity for dance and trained with May O’Donnell (1906-2004) before starting her own company in 1981. She frequently created solo works and also collaborated with her brother, Christopher Gillis (1951-1993), who danced and performed with Paul Taylor (1930-2018). She has been a guest artist with Momix, the National Ballet of Canada, and the Bruce Wood Company, and has choreographed for the movie Romance and Cigarettes (2005) and for Cirque du Soleil. A 1996 documentary Margie Gillis: Wild Hearts in Strange Times focused on her life and work. ------ Movie: The Band Wagon released in 1953 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-17 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829381016-C46GGK4PQIU9GTH3H1NF/vera+zorina.jpg July 17 - July 17 Born Today: Cleo Parker Robinson Dancer/artistic director Cleo Parker Robinson (1948-) grew up in Denver and studied with former NYCB dancer Rita Berger (1920-2007) at Colorado Women’s College (now University of Denver). Robinson formed her company in 1970, becoming a force for contemporary dance in the West. Former dancer and poet Maya Angelou (1928-2014) reached out to Robinson to collaborate on The Lush Life (1981), sparking a lifelong friendship. Also Born Today: Actor James Cagney (1899-1986) often played gangsters in films from the 1930s and 1940s, but he was also an accomplished tap dancer, playing Broadway star George M. Cohan (1878-1942) in two films, Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and The Seven Little Foys (1955). Dancer Carmelita Maracci (1908-1987) combined ballet and flamenco dance styles in solo dances and her classes inspired Tina Ramirez (1929-), founder of Ballet Hispanico, among others. Versatile dancer Wayne Sleep (1949-) danced with the Royal Ballet for a decade, performed in the original cast of Cats (1981), and danced a surprise duet with Princess Diana to celebrate the birthday of Prince Charles. ------ Movie: Show Boat released in 1951 Dance Companies: Ballet Caravan established in 1936, Parsons Dance Company founded in 1985 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-29 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631831124737-TA348KKBHHB8FWFEZV0X/vera+zorina.jpg July 29 - July 29 Born Today: Paul Taylor Modern dance choreographer Paul Taylor (1930-2018) performed with Martha Graham (1894-1991) and founded his own company in 1954. His work exists in an eclectic category all his own, as his 50+ year artistic range is enormous. Taylor began as an avant garde bad boy, presenting Seven New Dances (1957), a suite of pieces containing almost no dance. In the humorously creepy 3 Epitaphs (1956), you can see his irreverent wit in a piece that looks extremely fun to perform. However, his work changed direction in 1962, as it would many times, with the ethereal piece Aureole (1962). In 2015, Taylor renamed his company Paul Taylor American Modern Dance and began presenting works by modern dance pioneers and commissioned new works by contemporary choreographers, thus preserving his legacy and protecting the future of modern dance. Also Born Today: Remarkably versatile kabuki actor Kanzaburo Nakamura XVII (1909-1988) played over 800 different roles in his career - all ages, both male and female. Light-skinned Marion Cuyjet (1920-1996) studied with Essie Mae Dorsey and was able to pass as white to study at the Philadelphia Ballet Academy at a time when black dancers were not allowed to study ballet publicly. After she was discovered, she opened up a school of her own, training generations of black dancers. Choreographer Akram Khan (1974-) founded his company in 2000 and blends Indian Kathak and contemporary dance in eclectic projects ranging from dance/drama show i-ni (2008) with Juliette Binoche (1964-) to performing at the 2012 Olympics. Recently, he choreographed a strikingly new interpretation of the ballet Giselle (2016) for the English National Ballet, and appeared in the Netflix series MOVE (2020). ------ Dance Event: National Dance Day, celebrated in the United States Movie: Little Miss Broadway (1938) https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-31 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631831260805-I4NQCC8BRW0IPH884MPU/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-12 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631828998314-QWKD1JDSE9EKUN7F22V2/vera+zorina.jpg July 12 - July 12 Born Today: Jonathan Wolken Pilobolus co-founder Jonathan Wolken (1949-2020) attended a modern dance class taught by Alison Becker Chase (1946-) at Dartmouth College that would change the direction of his life. Wolken, Chase, and others from the class formed a dance performance company named after a spore-launching fungus. Pilobolus celebrates the body as kinetic sculpture and created witty, humorous, and inventive dances. The company received national attention from appearing in commercials, on advertisements, and in calendars, and they were invited in 2007 to perform during the Academy Awards using shadow play to indicate the nominated movies. Also Born Today: Can-can dancer and the Queen of Montmartre, Louise Weber, or La Goulue (1866-1929) performed at the Moulin Rouge during the late 1800s and was featured in posters and paintings by artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. ------ Ballet Premiere: Pas de Quatre in 1845 Movie: Three Little Words released in 1950 Broadway Premiere: Bring it On in 2012 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-30 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631831188502-SL1YH626E36LQ4U37B3O/vera+zorina.jpg July 30 - July 30 Born Today: Margo Sappington Choreographer Margo Sappington (1947-) danced with the Joffrey Ballet in the 1960s and performed in Promises, Promises (1968) on Broadway. Near the end of the decade she wrote, choreographed, and performed in the outrageous off-Broadway revue Oh! Calcutta! (1969) and later in the 1970s she choreographed the musical revival of Where’s Charley? (1975). In the 1990s, she embarked on a series of projects with famous folk - she choreographed a section of the Joffrey ballet Billboards (1993), scored with music by Prince (1958-2016), in 2001 she collaborated with the Indigo Girls folk singers and the Atlanta Ballet to create The Indigo Girls Project, and in 2009 she created the ballet Common People for the Milwaukee Ballet, set to Has Been, an album by the actor William Shatner. The last project was made into a documentary, William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet (2009), which is worth seeing for the title alone. Also Born Today: Dancer Katharine Sergava (1910-2005) is best known for playing Dream Laurey in Oklahoma! (1943) on Broadway and for dancing with the Mordkin Ballet. Singer Kate Bush (1958-) also dances and has featured modern dance and ballet in her single Running Up That Hill (1985) and the album concept film The Line, the Cross, and the Curve (1993). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-27 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741838867-5OJ6C27SDHEUAS3WQ8DB/vera+zorina.jpg June 27 - June 27 Born Today: Amala Shankar Indian dancer Amala Shankar (1919-2020) joined Uday Shankar (1900-1977) in his performing company as a youth and married him in 1939. They toured all over the world and she danced in Kalpana (1948), written and directed by Shankar, and this film is said to be the precursor of Bollywood films. Amala Shankar performed until her early nineties and worked to keep the Shankar legacy vital and alive. Also Born Today: Indian classical dance scholar V. K. Narayana Menon (1911-1997) was an art critic and he used his position to promote the arts in India. He also wrote a biography of bharatanatyam dancer Balasaraswati (1918-1984). ------ Movie: Bathing Beauty released in 1944 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-22 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741306987-OTNTQJBKHXWZMLTEQ429/vera+zorina.jpg June 22 - June 22 Born Today: Katherine Dunham The incomparable Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) was a dancer, choreographer, social activist, and dance anthropologist - a formidable presence in the dance community. Her company performed outside of the USA between 1948 and 1968, making them the "unofficial" but extremely influential cultural representatives for the United States and the West Indies, introducing the world to the dances of the Caribbean. Dunham and her company also performed on Broadway in Cabin in the Sky (1940) and in movies, including Stormy Weather (1943). Dunham’s legacy is still shared today, as the Dunham Technique, a combination of modern dance, African diasporic dance, and jazz dance. It is taught at the Ailey School, where dancers experience a melting pot of influences taught with respect and care. Also Born Today: Choreographer Helen Lewis (1916-2009) was born and trained in what is now the Czech Republic, but her career was interrupted by WWII, when she was transferred to several concentration camps. She survived and relocated to Belfast in 1947, becoming instrumental in the development of modern dance in Ireland. Broadway choreographer Gower Champion (1919-1980) and his wife Marge Champion (1919-2020) appeared in 1950s movie musicals such as Show Boat (1951) and Give a Girl a Break (1953), and he went on to direct Broadway musicals including Hello, Dolly! (1964) and 42nd Street (1980). Folk dancer Ron Smedley (1928-2021) directed London Folk, a successful dance company that performed in local and international festivals, he taught folk dance at the Royal Ballet School and was a TV producer at the BBC. Contemporary choreographer Ohad Naharin (1952-) directed the Israeli company Batsheva from 1990-2018 and created a unique and personalized movement language called Gaga. ------ Ballet Premiere: Ondine in 1843 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-28 daily 0.75 2022-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741900087-V2E47S699ZM7W2GQ526T/vera+zorina.jpg June 28 - June 28 Born Today: Carlotta Grisi Best known for originating the role of Giselle, ballerina Carlotta Grisi (1819-1899) danced with Jules Perrot (1810-1892), the co-creator of the famous ballet. It was Grisi’s first full-length ballet and it made her a star. She relocated to St. Petersburg to dance for Perrot and the versatile dancer created roles in La Péri (1843), Paquita (1844), and Pas de Quatre (1845) before retiring from the stage at the height of her career at the age of 34. Also Born Today: Triple-threat Aileen Quinn (1971-) is best known for her starring role in the movie version of Annie (1982). Ballroom dancer Lacey Schwimmer (1988) is best known for appearing on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance in 2007, dancing with her brother Benji Schwimmer (1984-) and several seasons of Dancing with the Stars. ------ Ballet Premiere: The Romantic Era ballet Giselle first premiered in 1841 at the Paris Opera, on Grisi’s birthday. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-1 daily 0.75 2021-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631742568586-T6395QUH2Y93B6L27X9S/vera+zorina.jpg July 1 - July 1 Born Today: Twyla Tharp Versatile choreographer Twyla Tharp (1941-) began her career as a postmodern dancemaker. She founded her company in 1965 and in 1973 she choreographed Deuce Coupe for the Joffrey Ballet, featuring popular music by The Beach Boys. This dance is considered one of the first to successfully combine modern dance and ballet into what is now called contemporary ballet. Since that time, Tharp has also choreographed for movies, including Hair (1978) and Amadeus (1983), and White Nights (1985), and for Broadway shows including Movin’ Out (2002) and Come Fly Away (2010). Her company merged with ABT in 1988 and she has created 16 works for their repertory. Also Born Today: Actor Leslie Caron (1931-) was a lovely and very young dancer when she worked with Gene Kelly (1912-1996) on the movie An American in Paris (1951) and she is part of a rare circle of partners who have danced with Kelly, Fred Astaire (1899-1987), Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-) and Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993). ------ Ballet Premiere: La Fille Mal Gardee in 1789 Movie: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes released in 1953 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-16 daily 0.75 2021-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829315628-JDSAHT47HTNV3IAOPMHV/vera+zorina.jpg July 16 - July 16 Born Today: Ginger Rogers Dancer/actor Ginger Rogers (1911-1995) is mentioned in a famous quote attributed to Texas politician Ann Richards - "After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.” Indeed this is true for many of Rogers’ films, but one of the most entertaining dances she did with partner Fred Astaire (1899-1987) was I’m Putting All My Eggs in one Basket from the movie musical Follow the Fleet (1936) where they romp side by side. They appeared in ten movies together and she went on to act in dramatic films, winning an Academy Award for her performance in Kitty Foyle (1940). Also Born Today: Dancer Sasa Machov (1903-1951) was the Artistic Director for the National Theatre Ballet in Prague from 1946-1951. Filipino tap dancer Bayani Casimiro, Sr. (1918-1989) was a star of bodabil (vaudeville) in the 1930s and 1940s, later appearing in musical films. Ballerina Patricia Wilde (1928-) performed with NYCB from 1950-1965 and later served as the artistic director for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Irish dancer Michael Flatley (1958-) developed and danced the lead male roles in Riverdance (1995-), Lord of the Dance (1996), and Feet of Flames (1998), breathing new life into the traditional dance style. Broadway and film dancer Denise Faye (1963-) performed on Broadway in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (1989) and is best known for her work with Rob Marshall (1960-) in the film versions of Chicago (2002) and Nine (2009), where she was the associate choreographer. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-19 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829531084-S450AUMW4QP1N44AOX37/vera+zorina.jpg July 19 - July 19 Born Today: Edgar Degas Unlike other impressionist painters, Edgar Degas (1834-1917) declined to paint out in the open air, so he ventured indoors to paint dancers in rehearsal, waiting backstage, or taking class. His settings for paintings, drawings, and pastels were casual, most often showing the workaday world of dance production, and his paintings were created in his studio based on photographs, memory, or live models. He also sculpted dancers and his most famous piece is a ballerina wearing a real tutu, later cast in bronze, now located in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Also Born Today: Dance critic Arnold Haskell (1903-1980) wrote for The Dancing Times publication and authored many books on dance. He also founded The Camargo Society in 1930, and helped to establish the Royal Ballet School. Ballerina Natalia Bessmertnova (1941-2008) danced with the Bolshoi Ballet and was married to the artistic director, Yuri Grigorovich (1927-). ------ Movie: Anchors Aweigh released in 1945 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-19 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741114646-S9VDVRJC4SSI1YZ8PKRG/vera+zorina.jpg June 19 - June 19 Born Today: Paula Abdul Discovered by the Jackson family at a Los Angeles Lakers basketball game, dancer and choreographer Paula Abdul (1962-) went from choreographer for the Laker Girls to creating iconic movement for music videos starring Janet Jackson (1966-). Abdul received a recording contract of her own and showed off her tap dance skills as well in Straight Up and Opposites Attract, both music videos from her 1988 debut album. She served as a judge for the American Idol TV show from 2002-2009 and in 2019 she began performing in concert in Las Vegas, shortly after the 30 year anniversary of her debut album. Also Born Today: Tap dancer Henry LeTang (1915-2007) is best known for choreographing the Broadway shows Eubie! (1978), Sophisticated Ladies (1981), and Black and Blue (1989), and for choreographing films The Cotton Club (1984) and Tap (1989). Having trained in Denmark ballerina Toni Lander (1931-1985) was considered a specialist in ballets by August Bournonville (1805-1879), and she performed all over the world with various companies from the age of fifteen, including the Royal Danish Ballet, what is now known as the English National Ballet, and ABT. German choreographer Susanne Linke (1944-), along with Reinhild Hoffmann (1943-), and Pina Bausch (1940-2009) developed what is known as the Tanztheatre style in the late 1970s, a bracing combination of dance, theatre, and stage design, often with political overtones. ------ Broadway Premiere: Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1978 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-23 daily 0.75 2022-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741399870-1UE5U43CWMWX5860668H/vera+zorina.jpg June 23 - June 23 Born Today: Bob Fosse Choreographer and director Bob Fosse (1927-1987) created one of the most idiosyncratic and recognizable dance techniques, and his work dominated Broadway from the 1950s through the 1980s. As a film director, his groundbreaking style elevated the movie musical to a cinematic art form. His masterpiece Cabaret (1972) used the technique called intercutting to weave together two related scenes presenting the world of the stage and the outside world as mirror reflections of each other. His choreography, filled with small details and clockwork-gear dancer interactions, such as the pulsating mass of jutting arms and legs called the Fosse Amoeba, sparkled onscreen and inspired dancers and filmmakers alike. For a biographical view of Fosse and his muse Gwen Verdon (1925-2000), check out the Fosse/Verdon (2019) miniseries. Also Born Today: Ballerina Fanny Elssler (1810-1884) was considered one of the greatest ballerinas during the Romantic Ballet era. She and her sister Therese Elssler (1808-1878) trained and performed together and Fanny was often compared with Marie Taglioni (1804-1884), as their styles were polar opposites - Elssler excelled in precise, quick steps and Taglioni excelled at lightness and leaping. Ballerina Yulia Makhalina (1968-) began dancing with the Maryinsky Ballet (formerly the Kirov) in 1986. Ballroom dancer Louis van Amstel (1972-) is best known for creating the LaBlast dance fitness system that features ballroom dance movement. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-25 daily 0.75 2021-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741622641-G7L7VVMIA7DY8W37DBWA/vera+zorina.jpg June 25 - June 25 Born Today: Celia Franca Ballerina Celia Franca (1921-2007) studied at the Royal Academy of Dance and performed with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (an early version of The Royal Ballet) and was commissioned by the BBC to choreograph for TV. On a trip to Toronto in the 1950s, she was asked to create a Canadian dance company, and along with Betty Oliphant (1918-2004), she co-founded the National Ballet of Canada in 1951, the National Ballet School of Canada in 1959, and served as the artistic director of the company for 24 years. ----- Ballet Premiere: The Firebird in 1910 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-13 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829089901-6877ECEO70X64FSYWAWP/vera+zorina.jpg July 13 - July 13 Born Today: Anna Halprin Dancer and postmodern choreographer Anna Halprin (1920-2021) trained as a modern dancer in NYC and relocated to the West Coast with her architect husband after WWII. He built her an enormous deck on their house, which she used to teach workshops in her iconoclastic movement methods. In the 1950s she founded the San Francisco Dancer's Workshop and The Tamalpa Institute offering training in the Halprin Process, a movement-based healing arts approach to therapeutic dance practice. Several postmodern choreographers who reframed dance as an art that could include all movement, all types of accompaniment, and could be performed by all who chose to dance, trained with Halprin, including Simone Forti (1935-) and Trisha Brown (1930-2017). Also Born Today: Ballerina Elena Andreianova (1819-1857) studied with Philippe Taglioni (1777-1871) and danced with the Maryinsky Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet before organizing her own tour of Russian provinces that was interrupted by the Crimean War. Flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos (1946-) danced with Antonio Gades (1936-2004) for two decades, appeared in the film trilogy Blood Wedding (1981), Carmen (1983), and El Amor Brujo (1986), and she formed the Sueños Flamencos company in 1989. Contemporary dancer/choreographer and pioneer of modern dance in India, Astad Deboo (1947-2020) created a technique combining classical Indian dance with modern dance that was influenced by Alison Becker Chase (1946-) and Pina Bausch (1940-2009). Ballerina Diana Vishneva (1976-) trained at the Vaganova School, joined ABT from 2003-2017, and performs with the Maryinsky Ballet. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-21 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829647090-7IXUPN28XQCXIR5QIUQQ/vera+zorina.jpg July 21 - July 21 Born Today: Donald Byrd Choreographer and accomplished flautist, Donald Byrd (1949-) decided to pursue dance while pursuing a degree in theatre. Inspired by the Alvin Ailey modern dance company, he began to study dance in earnest - at the Ailey School, the London Centre for Contemporary Dance, and with ballet teacher Mia Slavenska (1916-2002). He performed with Twyla Tharp (1941-) and Gus Solomons (1940-) before founding Donald Byrd/The Group in 1978. Financial issues forced him to disband his company in 2002, and he took over artistic direction for Spectrum Dance Theatre in Seattle that same year. He has continued to produce socially-conscious works including Shot (2017) and Greenwood (2019), a piece about the destruction of the Greenwood District in Tulsa nearly 100 years prior. Also Born Today: Choreographer of the first ballet to tell a story with dance, gesture, and music, John Weaver (1673-1760) produced The Loves of Mars and Venus in 1717. Publicity agent for modern dance, Isadora Bennett (1900-1980) helped to establish modern dance as a presence in the art world and she represented Martha Graham (1894-1991) and José Limón (1908-1972), among others. ------ Movie: Stormy Weather released in 1943 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-23 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631830697748-4SOOSI0UYHF7PORJC6E2/vera+zorina.jpg July 23 - July 23 Born Today: Cat Glover Dancer Cat Glover (1964-2024) was discovered on Star Search, a TV program hosted by Ed McMahon in the 1980s. She and her partner created a duo called Pat & Cat and she created a move called the Cat Scat - a quick series of upper body contractions with the elbows at shoulder level, which is now a dance move fully incorporated into hip hop and street dance technique. Glover toured with Prince (1958-2016) on his Lovesexy and Sign o’ the Times tours and rapped on the single Alphabet Street. The Cat Scat move can be seen on the single U Got the Look (1987). Also Born Today: Ballerina Laurel Martyn (1916-2013) was the first Australian to dance with Sadler’s Wells Ballet (later The Royal Ballet), and she danced with the Borovansky Ballet and helped to form the Young Dancers’ Theatre. Brazilian dancer Sheila Mello (1978-) danced with the band É o Tchan!, replacing Carla Perez (1977-). ------ Movie: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas released in 1982 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-24 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631830797561-EJP4JI1JE0KA1O9DOCJJ/vera+zorina.jpg July 24 - July 24 Born Today: Jennifer Lopez Before singer/actor Jennifer Lopez (1969-) was Selena or J.Lo, she was a Fly Girl on the TV comedy show In Living Color from 1991-1993. She began dancing at the age of 5 and studied with Ballet Hispanico and moved to Manhattan to pursue a career in dance. Lopez was a back-up dancer for MC Hammer (1962-), New Kids on the Block, and Janet Jackson (1966-). Even though she decided to pursue acting, she has danced in the film Shall We Dance (2004) and she was the executive producer and judge for the competition show World of Dance (2017-2021). Put on your "way back" glasses and find her in the photo. Also Born Today: Ballerina Janine Charrat (1924-2017) appeared in the French film Ballerina (1937) at the age of 12 and later choreographed ballets. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-25 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631830866380-2K2LIZAU0301J5NCS6ER/vera+zorina.jpg July 25 - July 25 Born Today: Buddy Bradley As an African-American dancer/choreographer Buddy Bradley (1905-1972) received very little recognition for his work in the United States. Although he staged routines for Ruby Keeler (1909-1993), Eleanor Powell (1912-1982) , and brother-sister team Fred and Adele Astaire (1899-1987/1896-1981), Bradley remained uncredited. His lone Broadway credit was for staging dances for the Broadway musical Hello, Daddy (1928), but he apparently show-doctored many more, fixing them after audiences failed to respond positively. Bradley relocated to London soon after touring with the show Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds in 1926 and he often worked with British musical theatre star Jessie Matthews (1907-1981), particularly for her stage show (1930) and the film Evergreen (1934). He also collaborated with ballet choreographer Frederick Ashton (1904-1988) on a jazz ballet High Yellow (1932). Bradley directed a school from 1933-1967 and continued choreographing for musical theatre productions overseas, returning to the United States in 1967. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer/choreographer Heinrich Kroller (1880-1930) created contemporary-leaning ballets for the Munich Opera, Berlin State Opera, and the Vienna State Opera, sometimes concurrently. Ballerina Debra Austin (1955-) is best known for being the first black dancer to be promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer in the United States. She danced for the Pennsylvania Ballet from 1982-1990. ------ Broadway Premiere: A Chorus Line (1975) ran for 6,137 performances until April 28, 1990 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-16 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631740817664-2YIPDNWT2GR47LJ1T4KV/vera+zorina.jpg June 16 - June 16 Born Today: Leland Palmer Broadway dancer Leland Palmer (1945-) is best known for her role in the Bob Fosse (1927-1987) biopic All That Jazz (1979), playing a fictionalized version of dancer Gwen Verdon (1925-2000). Palmer was a versatile stage performer and danced for a variety of choreographers. On Broadway, she performed in Hello Dolly (1964), choreographed and directed by Gower Champion (1919-1980), A Joyful Noise (1966) by choreographer Michael Bennett (1943-1987), Applause (1970) by choreographer Ron Field (1933-1989), and she starred in Pippin (1972), also by Fosse. Also Born Today: Ballerina Alla Osipenko (1932-) studied with Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951) and danced with the Maryinsky Ballet (then the Kirov). She was on tour with the Kirov Ballet in Paris when Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) defected in 1961 and was suspected of knowing his plans (but she didn’t). ------ Movie: Grease released in 1978 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-7 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631745334747-FSNAX95LS4C9KRBVDUY2/vera+zorina.jpg July 7 - July 7 Born Today: Dalilah Middle Eastern dancer Dalilah (1936-2001) studied flamenco, ballet, and Spanish classical dance as a youngster and began dancing professionally, along with a partner, on tour. In 1954 they traveled to Egypt and she was encouraged to take up Middle Eastern dance, aka belly dance. She and Nagwa Fouad (1939-) were invited to perform at the opening of the new Nile Hilton Hotel in 1954 and established dancer Taheyya Carioca (1915-1999) became her mentor. Dalilah toured the Middle East in the 1960s and moved to Las Vegas in 1974 and opened a school, where she taught until her retirement ten years later. Also Born Today: Kabuki performer Koshiro Matsumoto VIII (1910-1982) specialized in history plays and domestic dramas known as sewamono and in the 1960s, he pursued less classical roles before returning to kabuki in the early 1970s. Dancer Robia La Morte (1970-) performed with Prince (1958-2016) during his 1991 Diamonds and Pearls tour and later starred in the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Jenny Calendar. Ice dancer Chris Reed (1989-2020) relinquished his dual citizenship in order to compete for Japan and he and his sister Cathy Reed (1987-) won multiple national championships before his untimely demise. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-11 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631745794583-9FY292GAO57S3ALPU7FG/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-26 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631830920285-1HKLSY6G9YJZR4PGS723/vera+zorina.jpg July 26 - July 26 Born Today: Alexis Rassine Ballet dancer Alexis Rassine (1919-1992) performed with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (now the Royal Ballet) in the 1940s and early 1950s. As a youth he studied in South Africa with Maude Lloyd (1908-2004) - AKA dance writer Alexander Bland (a shared nom de plume with her husband Nigel Gosling), who encouraged him to study in Paris. Even though he studied with famed dancer/teacher Olga Preobrajenska (1871-1962), Rassine was unable to get into the Paris Opera. He relocated to London around the outbreak of WWII and was invited to join Sadler’s Wells Ballet, where he danced from 1942-1955. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Børge Ralov (1908-1981) studied at the Royal Danish Ballet and joined the company from 1927-1957, often partnering Margot Lander (1910-1961) and later he choreographed dances for his wife, dancer Kirsten Ralov (1922-1999). Norwegian choreographer Kjersti Alveberg (1948-2021) studied ballet and worked in theatrical dance, later creating ballets for stage and TV productions. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-15 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712929920-TY6OUOSDI4QFDD94BO7D/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-8 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631745407702-0FGYC2ZBOGTDPY7U9LQJ/vera+zorina.jpg July 8 - July 8 Born Today: Cynthia Gregory Ballerina Cynthia Gregory (1946-) studied with Carmelita Maracci (1908-1987) as a child in California before joining San Francisco Ballet while still in her teens. In 1965 she joined ABT and danced a great many classical roles and guested with companies including Stuttgart Ballet and the Cuban National Ballet until her retirement from the stage in 1992. Since that time she has staged and coached ballet productions worldwide and in 2008 she joined the board of directors for the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation. Also Born Today: In the 1960s, dance maker Heinz Spoerli (1940-) performed with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and the Basel Ballet, where he later served as resident choreographer for two decades. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-24 daily 0.75 2022-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741532870-YR8E6OBSH8BN806AE9PD/vera+zorina.jpg June 24 - June 24 Born Today: Margaret Kelly Irish-born dancer Margaret Kelly (1910-2004), also known as Miss Bluebell, founded the Bluebell Girls dance troupe in 1932. Kelly began dancing as a child to help strengthen her frail legs and in 1930 she began performing at the Folies Bergère in Paris. In her own work, she employed dancers deemed too tall for ballet careers and created a popular cabaret stage show. Following WWII, the Bluebell Girls found a permanent home at the Lido Club in Paris, where they still perform to this day. Also Born Today: Broadway and TV actor Michele Lee (1942-) might be best known for her role on the TV show Knots Landing (1979-1993), but she began her career singing and dancing on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961), and was in the movie version in 1967. ------ Dance History: On this day in 1374, a sudden outbreak of Dancemania, also called St. Vitus’ Dance, caused people in the streets of Aachen, Germany to experience hallucinations and begin to jump and twitch uncontrollably until they collapsed from exhaustion. Movie: Darling Lili in 1970 and Rize in 2005 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-10 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631745618893-6DWK6VBKYSTVOVFKHONC/vera+zorina.jpg July 10 - July 10 Born Today: Raghav Juyal Dancer Raghav Juyal (1991-) is best known for his slow motion dance, which brought him attention during the Dance India Dance 3 contest in 2012. His performance went viral on YouTube and he ended up winning second place. Now known as the Slow Motion King, Juyal began appearing in Bollywood films, starring in Sonali Cable (2014) and Street Dancer 3D (2020), and he has gone on to host the Dance Plus reality show for several seasons. Juyal did not train to dance in formal classes, instead he learned hip hop dance and popping from emulating videos and from the internet. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-20 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829587572-6L03OSQLK7FSKGCWKDCC/vera+zorina.jpg July 20 - July 20 Born Today: Julianne Hough Ballroom dancer Julianne Hough (1988-) began competing in the Latin Dance category at the age of nine and she and her brother Derek Hough (1985-) trained with coaches and Latin Dance champions Corky and Shirley Ballas (1960-/1960-) in London. After winning competitions at Blackpool at 15, she returned to the United States and began appearing on Dancing With the Stars in 2006. Julianne also began performing country music and has appeared in several dance films including Footloose (2011), Rock of Ages (2012), and Grease Live! (2016-TV). Also Born Today: Dancer Carolyne Barry (1943-2015) was known as “The Girl with the Horn-rimmed Glasses” on the TV dance show Shindig in the 1960s and she became a commercial casting director after appearing in over 400 commercials herself. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-28 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631831063587-XPOI0BF5OFBQL4BHF8LY/vera+zorina.jpg July 28 - July 28 Born Today: Jacques d’Amboise Ballet dancer and teacher Jacques d’Amboise (1934-2021) danced for NYCB, originating roles in George Balanchine’s (1904-1983) choreography including Stars and Stripes (1958) and Jewels (1967). He is also known for his performances in the film versions of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) and Carousel (1956), and for dancing in the Broadway musical Shinbone Alley (1957), along with his wife, dancer Carolyn George (1927-2009). D’Amboise is also the father of performers Christopher d’Amboise (c.1960-) and Charlotte d’Amboise (1964-). In 1976, before he retired from performing, he founded the National Dance Institute (NDI), an organization that partners with schools to provide dance lessons to students for free in the New York City area and teacher training in his teaching methods to dance teachers. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-5 daily 0.75 2022-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712123103-2QRILYFD2L7Z6IUM4YGH/vera+zorina.jpg June 5 - June 5 Born Today: Ayodele Casel Tap dancer Ayodele Casel (1975-) moved to Puerto Rico in 4th grade and fell in love with Salsa music, which would serve to influence her tapping style. Her family returned to New York City in 1990 and she later became friends with fellow tapper Baakari Wilder, while performing in Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk (1996). Wilder encouraged her to study with acclaimed teacher Barbara Duffy (1959-) and in turn, Duffy introduced her to Savion Glover (1973-), who invited her to perform with his group, Not Your Ordinary Tappers in the late 1990s. Her 2017 dance/theatre piece While I Have the Floor honored female tap dancers who came before her and was lauded at the Spoleto Arts Festival, where it premiered. Casel was named by the New York Times as one of the “Biggest Breakout Stars” of 2019 and was featured on a 2021 postage stamp celebrating tap dance. Also Born Today: Movement theorist Mabel Elsworth Todd (1880-1956) is the creator of Ideokinesis, the practice of using imagery to improve posture and ease of movement. Her ideas were published in The Thinking Body (1937). Before actor Deborah Yates (1970-) starred in the movie National Treasure (2004), she danced with Hubbard Street Dance Company in Chicago, the Rockettes in NYC, and appeared on Broadway in Contact (2000). Ballet dancer Johan Kobborg (1972-) danced with the Royal Danish Ballet and the Royal Ballet, married acclaimed ballerina Alina Cojocaru (1981-) and briefly directed the Romanian National Ballet Company. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-7 daily 0.75 2022-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712359977-IK2Q20IY4JOFVUD43HTW/vera+zorina.jpg June 7 - June 7 Born Today: Prince Musician and dancer Prince (1958-2016), like James Brown (1933-2006) before him, treated his audience to a spectacular stage show including his distinctive voice, virtuosic guitar work, flamboyant costumes, and dance. He trained in classical ballet in high school at the Minnesota Dance Theatre through a partnership with the public school system, and he was mentored by the director Loyce Houlton (1925-1995). Prince studied jazz dance in preparation for videos and filming for the movie Purple Rain (1984) and he later worked with choreographer/vocalist Cat Glover (1964-) on several music videos, the Purple Rain concert tour, the concert movie for Sign o’ the Times (1987) and the Lovesexy (1988) tour. In the 1990s, Prince allowed the Joffrey Ballet to use his music for the work Billboards (1993), thereby helping the financially struggling company survive lean times. In 2009 he invited an unknown ABT ballerina named Misty Copeland (1982-) to perform with him on tour, giving her a national profile and boosting her career. Also Born Today: Choreographer Gisa Geert (1900-1991) danced with modern dancer Gertrud Bodenweiser (1890-1959) and created work for revues and musical comedy in the 1940s and 1950s. Blackfeet dancer Joe Sam Scabby Robe (1959-2021) was a champion Grass Dancer who performed internationally and at countless powwow gatherings and competitions. He was dubbed the “man of 1,000 moves” for his creativity and versatility. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-8 daily 0.75 2022-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631712468446-ZJ2KLBK01U4EGAAYA6CG/vera+zorina.jpg June 8 - June 8 Born Today: Lauren Gottlieb Dancer Lauren Gottlieb (1988-) appeared in the third season of the TV show So You Think You Can Dance and was invited back to the show to assist show choreographers Mia Michaels (1966-) and Tyce Diorio (1970-) for three additional seasons. She performed in stage shows for singers including Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Shakira (1977-) and appeared in the movie Bring it On: Fight to the Finish (2009) and on the TV series Glee. In 2013, she appeared in the Indian film Any Body Can Dance, which led to more Bollywood projects. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-4 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631745048235-J0ET1GGXJJCEXAQVTOWS/vera+zorina.jpg July 4 - July 4 Born Today: ”Shorty George” Snowden Legendary Harlem-based dancer George "Shorty" Snowden, AKA Shorty George (1904-1982) and his partner Mattie Purnell are credited with inventing the Lindy Hop in the late 1920s. He decided to do a breakaway (where partners separate from each other, but are still connected by one hand, in order to improv and return back to a closed position) and the crowd went wild. Snowden often danced with a much taller dancer, Big Bea and he has a dance step named after him, the Shorty George, which you can see in the movie You Were Never Lovelier (1942), starring Fred Astaire (1899-1987) and Rita Hayworth (1918-1987). Also Born Today: West End and Broadway actor Gertrude Lawrence (1898-1952) is best known for her starring role in the original stage version of The King and I (1951). She was buried in the gown she wore for the Shall We Dance number. Tap dancing song-and-dance man George Murphy (1902-1992) appeared on Broadway in Roberta (1933) and in movie musicals including The Broadway Melody of 1940 and For Me and My Gal (1942). He later entered politics and served as a US Senator for California. Choreographer Rob Iscove (1947-) is best known for choreographing the movie Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) and for directing/choreographing the enormously popular 1979 revival of Peter Pan on Broadway. ------ Broadway Premiere: This Is the Army in 1942, a musical produced by Uncle Sam https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-14 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829181609-0ZUOJWMGCGZIVQ3HBJ45/vera+zorina.jpg July 14 - July 14 Born Today: David Gordon This postmodern choreographer and performer's best known piece is Chair (1974) - a duet performed by himself and his wife, dancer Valda Setterfield (1934-). After a bad performance experience, during which the audience booed and walked out - across the stage space while he was dancing - David Gordon (1936-2022) stopped making dances for five years. Then he joined The Grand Union performance collective (1970-1976) and continued creating witty and insightful dance and theatre work for a variety of organizations. Also Born Today: Author Parmenia Migel (1908-1989) wrote several books on ballet, including The Ballerinas (1972) and founded the Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation. From 1929-1958, choreographer LeRoy Prinz (1895-1983) devised dances for dozens of movie musicals, including Show Boat (1936), Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), and South Pacific (1958). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-30 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631742134192-BY01XOFSJ1TKQL1OJXM1/vera+zorina.jpg June 30 - June 30 Born Today: Lucile Grahn Ballerina Lucile Grahn (1819-1907) studied with August Bournonville (1805-1879) in Denmark and danced with the company for two years before relocating to France and dancing with the Paris Opera from 1839-1845, when she performed with three top ballerinas in Pas de Quatre (1845), a showcase piece for their differing talents. She went on to tour Europe and retired from the stage in 1856, becoming a ballet mistress to two German ballet companies. Also Born Today: Ballerina Adèle Dumilâtre (1821-1909) danced with the Paris Opera Ballet from 1840-1848 during the height of the Romantic Era, and when she retired from performing, she married a Count. Although Lena Horne (1917-2010) was primarily known as a singer, she got her start as a dancer at the original Cotton Club and continued dancing in musicals such as Panama Hattie (1942) and Broadway Rhythm (1944). Choreographer Flemming Flindt (1936-2009) danced for the Royal Danish Ballet and served as artistic director from 1966-1978 and created works for his wife, ballerina Vivi Flindt (1943-). Versatile ballet dancer Cyril Atanassoff (1941-) trained and performed with the Paris Opera Ballet, joining the company in 1957, and danced for many choreographers before retiring in 1986. Choreographer and photographer Wim Vandekeybus (1963-) founded his company, Ultima Vez, in 1986, and is best known for his piece What the Body Does Not Remember (1987). ------ Movie: Easter Parade released in 1948, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory released in 1971 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-5 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631745170475-MKP70JN1STPFZEMDBXE2/feld454.jpg July 5 - July 5 Born Today: Eliot Feld Ballet choreographer Eliot Feld (1942-) danced in both the Broadway (1957) and movie versions of West Side Story (1961), and he performed in the very first production of The Nutcracker (1954), by George Balanchine (1904-1983). Feld danced with ABT before leaving to start his own ballet company, Eliot Feld Ballet (1973-2003) and he not only created works for his own company, but his choreography is in the repertories of the Joffrey Ballet, NYCB, and London Festival Ballet, among others. In 1978, Feld began the New Ballet School, a tuition-free ballet training program for children in New York public schools and in 1997, he merged his company with the school to create Ballet Tech - all in the service of creating dancers and providing ballet for everyone. Also Born Today: Russian choreographer and founder of the Moscow National Academic Theatre of Dance (GZHEL) in 1988, Vladimir Mikhailovich Zakharo (1946-2013). Bollywood dancer Vinod Raj (1967-) is best known for creating moves in the movie Dance Raja Dance (1987) that went viral on YouTube and are used in the video game Grand Theft Auto III. Choreographer Travis Payne (1971-) is best known for choreographing This Is It (2009), the show Michael Jackson (1958-2009) was planning to open in London. Choreographer Chuck Klapow (1980-) is best known for co-choreographing the three High School Musical TV movies alongside Kenny Ortega (1950-), and commercials for Gap Kids and Old Navy. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-18 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829455192-CUDTLW396VZGDRUA78XC/vera+zorina.jpg July 18 - July 18 Born Today: Olga Spessivtseva Russian ballerina Olga Spessivtseva (1895-1991), the one with the soulful eyes, looks much like The Beggar Maid from the famous painting by Edward Burne-Jones. To prepare for Giselle, one of her most famous roles, she visited insane asylums to study how the patients moved, and according to many, she truly inhabited the role of the betrayed lover. Spessivtzeva danced with the original Ballets Russes, the Paris Opera, and the Maryinsky Ballet before she retired from dancing in 1939. Also Born Today: Progressive Geisha Sada Yacco (1871-1946) popularized Kabuki during world tours, with Yacco playing parts usually reserved for male actor/dancers and she also founded a school to train female actors. Actor/dancer Audrey Landers (1956-) is best known for playing Val in the movie version of A Chorus Line (1985-). Contemporary choreographer Ronald K. Brown (1966-) founded Evidence in 1985, a company that combines African dance and modern/contemporary dance. Tap dance master teacher Gregg Russell (1972-2020) co-founded Tap into the Network . ------ Movies: Silk Stockings released in 1957, Star! released in 1968 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-21 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741233734-8QP05J9M2WSJMSXUAMBT/vera+zorina.jpg June 21 - June 21 Born Today: Enrico Cecchetti Dancer and renowned teacher Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928), the son of two dancers, was actually born in the dressing room of a theatre. Later he joined the Imperial Ballet and stunned audiences with his virtuosic Bluebird solo in The Sleeping Beauty (1890) by Marius Petipa (1818-1910), a variation that still challenges ballet performers. After retiring from the stage, Cecchetti created a strong technique for training ballet dancers, and he taught at the Russian Imperial Ballet before being lured away by the Ballets Russes, training the dancers on tour and performing mime roles created expressly for him. After his death, several students codified his method and ballet teachers today can train and be certified to teach the Cecchetti Technique. Also Born Today: Ballerina Ellen Price (1878-1968) was the model for the beloved Little Mermaid statue sitting in Copenhagen’s harbor. Experimental choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou (1964-) founded Edafos Dance Theatre, active 1986-2002, and is best known for choreographing the opening ceremonies for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/june-26 daily 0.75 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631741705859-70ZSBOIEY905YNXJ4VSZ/vera+zorina.jpg June 26 - June 26 Born Today: Agrippina Vaganova Dancer and revered teacher Agrippina Vaganova (1879-1951) trained at the Imperial Ballet in Russia and retired early from performing to focus on teaching. The 1917 Russian Revolution destabilized the Imperial training system, but Vaganova’s efforts helped to preserve the legacy of choreographer Marius Petipa (1818-1910) and the Imperial traditions and training. She wrote Fundamentals of the Classic Dance (1934) and began training ballet teachers in the Vaganova method, a system which combined the best aspects of the Russian school, the regal old French style, and the Italian footwork. The technique remains one of the most popular in the world. Also Born Today: Modern dancer Pauline Koner (1912-2001) is best known for dancing with choreographer José Limón (1908-1972) and for being a proponent of the benefits of the Limón technique in creating expressive dancers. Post-modern choreographer Lucinda Childs (1940-) studied primarily with choreographer Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) and is best known for creating minimalist movement compositions, including Einstein on the Beach (1976), a collaboration with musician Philip Glass and director Robert Wilson. Multi-talented Steve Barton (1954-2001) is best known for appearing in the original Broadway version of The Phantom of the Opera (1988) and The Red Shoes (1993). Ballet dancer Farukh Ruzimatov (1963-) danced with the Maryinsky Ballet for 30 years and was named the Artistic Director of the Navoi Ballet Theatre in Uzbekistan. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-22 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631829800184-K0X30VIMYB2TLJT6SQHH/vera+zorina.jpg July 22 - July 22 Born Today: Charles Weidman Modern dance choreographer Charles Weidman (1901-1975) is usually lumped together with Doris Humphrey (1895-1958), his creative partner, and he is too often overlooked and relatively unknown outside of the modern dance world, and that is unfortunate. Of course he danced with the Denishawn company, as did the other Pioneers of Modern Dance, but his comedic sensibility must have been a refreshing departure during the artistic sturm und drang of the early 1930s. He was known to remark on the rather somber nature of the work of his colleagues and one of his best known pieces, Flickers (1942), was a send-up of silent film emotionality and featured the jumpiness of early silent film. Oh to have seen this when it premiered - fire up the DeLorean, Marty! Also Born Today: Ballet master and choreographer Ivan Clustine (1862-1941) danced with the Bolshoi Ballet and later became the ballet master there and at the Paris Opera and with the company of Anna Pavlova (1881-1931). Ballerina Jeanne Schwarz (1887-1970) came from a family of ballet dancers and performed with the Paris Opera. And all four of her daughters became ballet dancers. Ballerina Julia Farron (1922-2019) was an early member of the Royal Ballet, joining at age 14 and she served there as dancer, teacher and later the director of the Royal Academy of Dance. Broadway dancer Grover Dale (1935-) appeared in the stage version of West Side Story (1957), co-directed Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (1989), and later edited Dance & Fitness magazine. Ballet choreographer Boris Eifman (1946-) founded Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg in 1977, following the principles of ballet pioneer Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810). ------ Movie: The Red Shoes released in 1948 in London https://www.dawndavisloring.com/july-27 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1631830997131-MRYVSG1XPVHVR7LT2VMG/vera+zorina.jpg July 27 - July 27 Born Today: Pina Bausch Iconoclastic dance-theatre choreographer Pina Bausch (1940-2009) studied with Kurt Jooss (1901-1979) and Antony Tudor (1908-1987) before taking over the Tanztheater Wuppertal in the early 1970s, creating a not-so-quiet dance revolution. She created epic montage works on stages filled with rocks and water (Vollmond - 2006), carnations (Nelken - 1982), or chairs (Cafe Muller - 1978), and much of her work plumbed the depths of fraught relationships. There can be no tepid response to Pina Bausch's work -- it is gritty, real, messy, and disquieting, much like life. Her dances, which combined movement with text and tasks, often made use of repetition and unique partnering. Bausch inspired filmmakers Pedro Almodovar and Wim Wenders, whose film Pina (2011) celebrates her work, often in the great outdoors. If you have not seen it, you must. Also Born Today: Often compared with her contemporary Marie Camargo (1710-1770), ballerina Marie Sallé (1707-1756) also worked for costume reforms in ballet, eschewing the use of masks. She performed her own choreography, Pygmalion (1734), which caused a sensation because she dared to perform in a Grecian-style draped costume and sandals with her hair flowing loose. Ballet choreographer Louis Merante (1828-1887) is best remembered as the original choreographer for the ballet Sylvia (1876) and for being featured in Edgar Degas (1834-1917) painting Foyer de Danse (1872). Ballerina Vera Karalli (1889-1972) danced with the original Ballets Russes, acted in many Russian silent films, and did she help kill Rasputin? Enquiring minds want to know. Ballet dancer Anton Dolin (1904-1983) danced with the original Ballets Russes in the 1920s and is best known for founding the London Festival ballet with ballerina Alicia Markova (1910-2004) in the 1950s. Ballet dancer David Blair (1932-1976) performed with the Royal Ballet in the 1950s and 1960s and married dancer Maryon Lane (1931-). Ballet dancer Māris Liepa (1936-1989) danced with Maya Plisetskaya (1925-2015) and with the Bolshoi in the 1950s and 1960s. Dancer Kenny Wormald (1984-) has appeared in several dance movies including You Got Served (2004) and the 2011 remake of Footloose, originally a dance film that was released in 1984, the year Wormald was born. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-18 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632108410313-S9RBHLLNGSGYJHB0KQ4R/vera+zorina.jpg August 18 - August 18 Born Today: Patrick Swayze Dancer Patrick Swayze (1952-2009) is best known for his performance in the movie Dirty Dancing (1987). His Saturday Night Live skit with Chris Farley as dancers auditioning for Chippendale’s is one of the best - see it for yourself. They both died too young. Also born today: Choreographer Jules Perrot (1810-1892), who created some of the most memorable 19th century ballets, including Giselle (1841) and Pas de Quatre (1845), a piece staged for the four most famous ballerinas of the time. ----- Movie: Broadway Melody of 1938 released in the summer of 1937 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-1 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632105726670-QGNY4RKZQWAPWZ11CGAR/vera+zorina.jpg August 1 - August 1 Born Today: Geoffrey Holder Dancer Geoffrey Holder (1930-2014), born in Trinidad, had the most glorious voice, and his imposing stature at 6’6” made him stand out amongst performers. Holder married dancer Carmen de Lavallade (1931-) and he was a man of prodigious talent - dancing, painting, photography, choreography and acting were a few of the areas he pursued. He won a Tony for direction and costume design for The Wiz (1975) on Broadway and he choreographed for Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Holder appeared in several films, including the 1982 version of Annie, and he narrated Tim Burton’s version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). Also born today: Contemporary dance choreographer, Ralph Lemon (1952-) and Irish dancer, Bernadette Mary Flynn (1979-), who appeared in Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-17 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632108280574-K8G1MG2EKY6QJYIPG1SM/vera+zorina.jpg August 17 - August 17 Born Today: Viktor Rona Ballet dancer Viktor Rona (1936-1994) studied at the ballet school in St. Petersburg and was a close friend of Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993). Rona performed with the Norway National Ballet and at the Paris Grand Opera and he is perhaps best known for performing the duet Gayaneh (1962) with ballerina Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) and for performing in a filmed version of The Sly Student (c.1960s), which can be seen on YouTube. In the 1980s, Rona served as the ballet master at La Scala and was a guest professor for the Tokyo Ballet starting in 1985. Also Born Today: Broadway dancer Kenneth LeRoy (1927-2019) performed in some of the most famous stage shows including Oklahoma (1943), Carousel (1945), The Pajama Game (1954), West Side Story (1957), and Fiddler on the Roof (1964). He is best known for dancing in the Steam Heat number in the movie version of The Pajama Game (1957). ------ Dance Premiere: The Moor’s Pavane in 1949 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-19 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632108487781-4XDF75T6UZZOJMM10AHF/vera+zorina.jpg August 19 - August 19 Born Today: Pauline Leroux French Ballerina Pauline Leroux (1809–1891) was a member of the Paris Opera Ballet and toured internationally. She studied with Auguste Vestris (1760-1842) and danced in ballets by Jean Coralli (1779-1854) and Filippo Taglioni (1777-1871). Princess Victoria (later Queen) painted watercolor portraits of Leroux and made a doll in her image, which remains with the Royal Collection. Later in her career, Leroux was a choreographer. More research is needed to uncover her dances, which may have been lost to time. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-20 daily 0.75 2022-01-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632108588929-1I0D56T1SDC2M6QW52QJ/vera+zorina.jpg August 20 - August 20 Born Today: Carla Fracci Italian ballerina Carla Fracci (1936-2021) is known for her excellent interpretations of Romantic Era ballets, including Giselle and La Sylphide. During her long performing career (about 30 years), she danced with multiple major dance companies and partnered Erik Bruhn (1928-1986), Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-), and Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993). She appeared in the biopic Nijinsky (1980) as ballerina Tamara Karsavina and was the artistic director for several Italian ballet companies. Also Born Today: Arts manager Sheldon Soffer (1927-2021) sponsored and mentored dance companies such as Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Pilobolus, Parsons Dance, MOMIX, Boston, Ballet, and many others. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-2 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632106347911-CDTBJFOCGF080K6N2IQ2/vera+zorina.jpg August 2 - August 2 Born Today: Eugene Loring Dancer/choreographer Eugene Loring (1911-1982) joined George Balanchine’s first American ballet company, now called the New York City Ballet, in 1936. Loring choreographed the classic ballet, Billy the Kid (1938) and danced the lead. He briefly joined American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and choreographed Broadway musicals including Silk Stockings (1955) before relocating to Hollywood and choreographing the movie version of Silk Stockings, along with Funny Face, both in 1957. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-6 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632106943966-PBZZO3JYI993HUYPU7O8/vera+zorina.jpg August 6 - August 6 Born Today: JaQuel Knight Dancer and choreographer JaQuel Knight (1989-) worked with Beyoncé on the Single Ladies video and with Britney Spears’ 2009 Circus World Tour and was one of several associate choreographers on the movie Burlesque (2010), featuring Christina Aguilera and Cher. ----- Movie: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers released in 1954 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-26 daily 0.75 2022-08-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632109443791-KXMQW9VPVQHIHQICKET4/vera+zorina.jpg August 26 - August 26 Born Today: Michael Jeter Actor Michael Jeter (1952-2003), short, wiry, and eccentric-looking, might not be widely considered a dancer, but his fearless performance in the Broadway show Grand Hotel (1989), choreographed and directed by Tommy Tune (1939-), might change your mind. Jeter was awarded a Tony for the performance. If he looks familiar, you may have seen him in the movie, The Fisher King (1991), with Robin Williams. You should check out this clip: Grand Hotel - “We’ll Take a Glass Together”. Also Born Today: Russian-American ballerina Valentina Kozlova (1957-), who defected to the United States with her husband and fellow dancer, Leonid Koslov (1947-), in 1979. ----- Movie: An American in Paris initially released in London, in 1951. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-31 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632109970712-ICXGZKJRCPBX1LJPF90K/vera+zorina.jpg August 31 - August 31 Born Today: Théophile Gautier Poet, journalist, and critic, Théophile Gautier (1811-1872) believed “ballets are the dreams of poets taken seriously.” A believer in ‘art for art’s sake,’ he wrote passionately about dance and even co-wrote the libretto for one of the oldest and best known ballets, Giselle (1841). Also born today: French ballet dancer and choreographer, Jean-Étienne Despréaux (1748-1820), who was married to famous ballerina Marie-Madeleine Guimard (1743-1816). Ballerina Mathilde Kschessinskaya (1872-1971) was involved in a great many escapades and scandals during her dance career. - go check out her dramatic life. Käthe/Katja Wulff, (1890−1992) was a German-Swiss expressionist dancer who taught until the age of 90. ----- Movie: Summer Stock released in 1950 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-9 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107258304-MO3RR9AITHEP6O6UHV9Y/vera+zorina.jpg August 9 - August 9 Born Today: Leonide Massine Although most know Leonide Massine (1896-1979) from his role as the creepy shoe seller in the 1948 movie, The Red Shoes, he is a legendary figure in dance history. Massine danced with the original Ballets Russes and helmed the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, creating a huge body of choreography, which remains in the repertory of ballet companies worldwide. He choreographed a piece entitled Parade (1917) featuring costumes designed by Picasso and music by Satie. Also born today: Writer, dance advocate, and former dancer, E. Krishna Iyer (1897-1968) helped to resuscitate Bharatanatyam dance in India in the 1930s. Spanish flamenco dancer Teresa Torkanowsky (1926-2021) toured with Carmen Amaya (1913–1963) in the 1940s and Luis Olivares (d. 2020) as well as with her own company. Torkanowsky was instrumental in bringing flamenco to New Orleans and founding the dance program at the University of Maine. Ballet dancer Ashley Page (1956-) performed with the Royal Ballet in London and later directed the Scottish Ballet for a decade. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-15 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107999329-KZCVI988RN2RXOR19UQC/vera+zorina.jpg August 15 - August 15 Born Today: John Cranko Ballet dancer and choreographer John Cranko (1927-1973) was born in South Africa and performed with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (later Royal Ballet) before devoting himself to choreography for the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany beginning in 1961, elevating the company into a stellar and autonomous performance troupe. His 1962 premiere of ballet Romeo and Juliet brought worldwide acclaim to the company and he encouraged fledgling choreographers John Neumeier (1939-), later with the Hamburg Ballet, and Jiří Kylián (1947-), later with the Nederlands Dans Theater, to create their own works. Cranko joins former ballet masters at the Stuttgart Ballet that includes luminaries Jean-Georges Noverre (from 1759 to 1766), Filippo Taglioni (1777-1871), and Oskar Schlemmer (1888-1943). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-7 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107019109-XD7DC8MD11UOO13KLCLS/vera+zorina.jpg August 7 - August 7 Born Today: Mata Hari Mata Hari, the stage name of exotic dancer Margaretha Zelle (1876-1917), means “sun,” and she lived by her own set of rules during a time when most women married for social protection. She was convicted of being a spy for Germany and was executed by firing squad in France toward the end of World War I. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-30 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632109872937-ON7A99SZ62UY0XP3S99L/vera+zorina.jpg August 30 - August 30 Born Today: Jorma Elo Originally from Helsinki, Finland, Jorma Elo (1961-) is the resident choreographer at Boston Ballet, an honor he was awarded in 2005. He trained with the Finnish National Ballet and at the Kirov School in Leningrad before performing with Cullberg Ballet and Netherlands Dance Theatre. His dance pieces include Carmen/Illusions (2009) and Sharper Side of Dark (2012). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-8 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107123721-XRR80UFGA7PZT0P84FKD/vera+zorina.jpg August 8 - August 8 Born Today: Esther Williams Esther Williams (1921-2013) was an underwater dancer starring in aquamusicals of the 1940s and 1950s - Bathing Beauty (1944), Neptune’s Daughter (1949), and Million Dollar Mermaid (1952). She was a champion swimmer with Olympic hopes, but World War II cancelled the 1940 games. When synchronized swimming was first recognized as an Olympic Event in 1984, she was the official commentator for the first competition, going to the Olympics at last. Also born today: Ballet Master and co-founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Karel Shook (1920-1985). Bellydancer Serena Wilson (1933-2007) helped to raise the profile of this Middle Eastern dance in the United States. English ballet dancer turned photojournalist, Colin Jones (1936-2021) danced with the Royal Ballet in the early 1960s and picked up a camera during that time, documenting backstage dance life. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-24 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632109178982-DXIDUTLNJX3E72NJKG9E/vera+zorina.jpg August 24 - August 24 Born Today: Jeffrey Vinokur Jeffrey Vinokur, aka "The Dancing Scientist" (1990-) earned a PhD in Biochemistry at UCLA in 2017 and discovered hip-hop dance a decade earlier on YouTube, where he began posting his own popping tutorials. Combining his two personas, he premiered as The Dancing Scientist on America’s Got Talent and began creating school assembly presentations to inspire students to study science. He has since appeared in segments on Discovery's Daily Planet, The Today Show (NBC), and The Weather Channel. Check out: dancingscientist.com for more information about Vinokur. Also Born Today: Dancer, reporter, and editor of the Phoenix Gazette, Lois Boyles (1927-2021) began her career as a ballet dancer, but after finding little professional success in New York, she took up journalism. Singer/dancer Jeffrey Daniel (c. 1957-) one of the co-founders of the band Shalamar was an early hip-hop dancer who worked with Michael Jackson on music video choreography in the early 1980s. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-22 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632108777071-AZ3T5OP01SHFMNX3N7CO/vera+zorina.jpg August 22 - August 22 Born Today: Donald MacLeary British ballet dancer Donald MacLeary (1937-) trained at the Sadler’s Wells ballet school and joined the company in 1954. Just a few years later, he was made a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet at the insistence of Svetlana Beriosova (1932-1998) so that he could be her regular partner. He created roles in ballets by John Cranko (1927-1973) and Kenneth MacMillan (1929-1992) and was ballet master for the company in the mid 1970s and coached principal dancers for roles in the 1980s. When he retired from the company during the 2001-2002 season, he had been with the Royal Ballet for nearly 50 years. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-23 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632108982556-JCDCY95G40R9HH5GODMD/vera+zorina.jpg August 23 - August 23 Born Today: Gene Kelly Hollywood musical star and director Gene Kelly (1912-1996) always wanted to be considered a regular guy who just happened to dance. His athletic style is evident in the greatest musical of all time - Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and his ambitious 17-minute dream ballet at the end of An American in Paris (1951) is a tour-de-force. One of his last appearances on film was in Xanadu (1980), which has to be seen to be believed. Also Born Today: Ballerina Patricia McBride (1942-) danced with the New York City Ballet for three decades, joining the company in 1959. She became a principal in 1961 - the company’s youngest principal dancer. ----- Event: Martha Graham legal case settled August 23, 2002. The company, which had been in limbo for years, won the rights to perform almost all of her repertory. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-16 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632108174629-O6LXO2Q1YURM8RO9ZJP4/vera+zorina.jpg August 16 - August 16 Born Today: Matt Mattox One of the talented dancers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), among other films, Matt Mattox (1921-2013) was mentored by Jack Cole (1911-1974) and Nico Charisse (1906-1970), husband of dancer Cyd Charisse (1922-2008). Mattox later moved to Europe and shared American jazz dance with dancers overseas. Also Born Today: Dancer Maude Lloyd (1908-2004) is best known as a dance critic, writing under the name ‘Alexander Bland’. Julie Newmar (1933-), dancer from Seven Brides, is best known as Catwoman from the kitschy 1960s Batman TV show. Ballerina Suzanne Farrell (1945-) was one of George Balanchine's (1904-1983) muses and a longtime dancer with NYCB. And today is the birthday of the fabulous singer/dancer, Madonna (1958-). ----- Movie: Dames released in 1934 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-10 daily 0.75 2022-08-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107323199-4O8B7WH6CIMWB8QXZRSN/vera+zorina.jpg August 10 - August 10 Born Today: Xenia Borovansky Ballerina Xenia Borovansky (1903-1985) trained at the Bolshoi Ballet and she and her family relocated to Berlin in the 1920s, where she married fellow dancer Edouard Borovansky (1902-1959) and both toured with Anna Pavlova (1881-1931). The Borovanskys did not feel they could return to Europe during WWII, and they settled in Australia and started the Melbourne Academy of Russian Ballet, and the Borovansky Ballet Company in the 1940s. This company was the roots and foundation for the Australian National Ballet, founded in 1962. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Yuri Soloviev (1940-1977) graduated from the Vaganova Academy in the same class as Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) and performed with the Kirov Ballet in the 1960s and 1970s. Soloviev was nicknamed “Cosmic Yuri” for his incredible leaps. ------ Movie: The Wizard of Oz released in 1939. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-12 daily 0.75 2022-08-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107676768-E3YKP8CNNBPLM9ZB3RBO/vera+zorina.jpg August 12 - August 12 Born Today: Michael Kidd Although choreographer Michael Kidd (1915-2007) had some spectacular dancers to work with in the movies -- Fred Astaire (1899-1987) in The Band Wagon (1953) and talented ballet dancers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). He proves in the movie version of Guys and Dolls (1955) that true choreographic brilliance is using the dancers you have, not the ones you wish you had. The number in the Havana nightclub is sensuous and funny and the leads (Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons) weren't fabulous dancers, but Kidd made them look great amongst the group of highly-trained dancers. Kidd was a talented dancer himself - he performed the lead in Eugene Loring’s ballet, Billy the Kid and tap danced with a metal trash can lid on his foot in the movie It’s Always Fair Weather (1955), along with Gene Kelly (1912-1996) and Dan Dailey (1915-1978). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-11 daily 0.75 2022-08-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107564196-Y0UNGLN6CG4S8FWUABX3/vera+zorina.jpg August 11 - August 11 Born Today: Allegra Kent Ballerina Allegra Kent (1937-) studied ballet with Bronislava Nijinska (1891-1972) and Carmelita Maracci (1908-1987) as a youngster before joining the School of American Ballet to work with George Balanchine, joining NYCB at the age of 15. Just four years later, she was promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer and premiered her role in Ivesiana (1954), and she performed in many of his most notable pieces, including Agon (1957) and Serenade (1935). Since retiring in 1981, she wrote the children’s book, Ballerina Swan, which has been adapted for the stage. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-25 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632109305827-Y74D3URC3O4QUQ7KDXXK/vera+zorina.jpg August 25 - August 25 Born Today: Ruby Keeler Little Known Fact - The stage production of 42nd Street debuted on Broadway on August 25th, 1980 - the 70th birthday of tap dancer Ruby Keeler (1909-1993). She starred in the movie version in 1933, which was expertly directed by Busby Berkeley (1895-1976) and featured a young Ginger Rogers (1911-1995). Keeler married Al Jolson, star of the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer (1929) and abruptly retired from Hollywood in the early 1940s. She returned to Broadway in 1971, starring in a revival of No No Nanette, supervised by Berkeley. ----- Movie: Broadway Melody of 1936 was released the summer of 1935 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-4 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107733566-W5YID50FKS61IT0CSLFV/vera+zorina.jpg August 4 - August 4 Born Today: Asadata Dafora African dancer Asadata Dafora (1890–1965) choreographed and performed in his signature work, Kykunkor (The Witch Woman) in 1934, the first production of authentic African dance and music in the United States, inspired by his birthplace in Sierra Leone. Dafora’s mission was to expose Westerners to the richness of indigenous African culture and his work inspired African-American dancers/scholars Pearl Primus (1919-1994) and Katherine Dunham (1909-2006). Also born today: Silent film dancer, Anita Page (1910-2008), starred in the early sound musical, The Broadway Melody (1929) before retiring from Hollywood a few years later. ----- Movie: Holiday Inn released in 1942 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-21 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632108694123-843YXS0FDTTLROOVONC0/vera+zorina.jpg August 21 - August 21 Born Today: August Bournonville Choreographer August Bournonville’s (1805-1879) father, Antoine Bournonville (1760-1843), studied dance with Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), a radical choreographer and writer who felt wigs, masks, heeled shoes and restrictive clothing kept the audience from appreciating the actual dancing. August Bournonville created a version of the ethereal La Sylphide ballet in 1836. Amazingly, audiences loved it even though the dancer wore a gauzy dress instead of 50 pounds of brocade. Dance Event: Today in 1979, Soviet ballet dancer Alexander Godunov (1949-1995) defected to the United States. He also starred in movies Witness (1985) and Die Hard (1988). ----- Movies: Sun Valley Serenade released in 1941, and Down to Earth released in 1947 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-3 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632106453377-5RXF6JU9ECNNDOS9CVQZ/vera+zorina.jpg August 3 - August 3 Born Today: Birgit Cullberg Swedish choreographer Birgit Cullberg (1908-1999) studied with Kurt Jooss (1901-1979) at the Royal Ballet in London and founded her own company, Cullberg Ballet in the 1960s. Her son, choreographer Mats Ek (1945-) took over management of the company in 1985. Also born today: Ballerina Maria Karnilova (1920-2001), joined the American Ballet Theatre company when it was founded in 1939 and later starred on Broadway in Jerome Robbins: Ballet USA (1958) and Fiddler on the Roof (1964). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-13 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107830631-STWBO03F9NC5VCDWPX41/vera+zorina.jpg August 13 - August 13 Born Today: Dania Krupska Photo: Nora Kaye in Fall River Legend Dania Krupska (c.1923-2011) was in the original Broadway cast of Oklahoma! (1943) and assisted Agnes de Mille (1905-1993) in the Broadway shows Allegro (1947) and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949) and she danced in the original stage productions of The King and I (1951) and Can-Can (1953) before choreographing shows on Broadway, including The Most Happy Fella (1956). Krupska also assisted de Mille with her ballet, Fall River Legend (1948) about the infamous ax-murderer, Lizzie Borden, with whom Krupska shares a birthplace. Also Born Today: Russian choreographer/dancer Vladimir Kirsanov (1947-2021) is best known for choreographing the Academy Award-winning film Burnt by the Sun (1994). He died of COVID. ----- Movie: Ziegfeld Follies released in 1945 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-27 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632109595498-MSR2HLLUP8HC0GVH5QHV/vera+zorina.jpg August 27 - August 27 Born Today: Willam Christensen Ballet dancer Willam Christensen (1902-2001), brother of Harold and Lew Christensen (1909-1984), danced with George Balanchine’s early ballet company and founded the San Francisco Ballet in 1942, which makes it the oldest ballet company in the United States. In 1951, he left SF Ballet in the care of his brothers, and moved to Utah to found the first ballet department at the University of Utah and later, the professional company Ballet West, in 1963. Also Born Today: Dancer Cristina Wistari Formaggia (1945–2008), who helped to preserve and teach Balinese dance. ----- Movies: Swing Time released in 1936 and Mary Poppins released in 1964 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-5 daily 0.75 2022-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632106857456-0D3079O95DXKG0FF90TC/vera+zorina.jpg August 5 - August 5 Born Today: Poppin’ Pete Dancer Poppin’ Pete, born Timothy Earl Solomon in 1961, was the brother of “Boogaloo Sam” Solomon, the creator of the Hip-Hop dance style called popping. Poppin’ Pete became famous for his embrace of the style and he joined the Electric Boogaloos in 1978. He worked with Michael Jackson in the video for Beat It (1982) and has danced with and choreographed for other artists such as Janet Jackson (1966-) and Justin Timberlake. Also born today: Co-founder of the National Ballet School of Canada, Nancy Oliphant (1918-2004). Indian classical dancer, choreographer, author, columnist, and analyst of foreign and public policy, Baisali Mohanty (1994-). ——- Dance Event: On this day in 1957, American Bandstand, debuted it’s popular format on TV with host Dick Clark, who would shape the show until 1989. American Bandstand played popular songs and featured young people performing the popular dances of the era, helping to spread new dances and music all over the country. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-14 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632107924842-TMVTH73DXYFQM593M62R/vera+zorina.jpg August 14 - August 14 Born Today: Lucinda Dickey Dancer Lucinda Dickey (1960-), who is best known for her role as Kelly/Special K in the films Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (both 1984). She studied dance at Kansas State University and after graduation, moved to Los Angeles. Her first role was in the movie Grease 2 (1982) and she also was a dancer on the TV show Solid Gold, which ran from 1980-1988 and featured choreographed routines to the top music hits of the day, performed in fabulous glitter legwarmers. Also Born Today: The “Human Boa Constrictor” Earl "Snakehips" Tucker (1906-1937) perfected an eccentric dance featuring flexibility. Tap Dancer Jeni LeGon (1916- 2012) performed in dance films in the 1930s and 1940s, including Stormy Weather (1943) and Hi-De-Ho (1947). Contemporary dancer/choreographer Kyle Abraham (1977-) grew up dancing hip hop and after performing briefly with Bill T. Jones (1952-), Abraham founded his own company blending hip-hop and modern/contemporary dance elements. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-28 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632109705342-LZCSFWQFJ36HFQ9SDVID/vera+zorina.jpg August 28 - August 28 Born Today: Robert Battle Handpicked by retiring director Judith Jamison (1943-), dancer/choreographer Robert Battle (1972-) has helmed the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre since 2011. It's reassuring to see a modern dance company able to survive the founder’s death, but it makes one downright giddy to see a company under its third generation artistic director. Also Born Today: Dancer Donald O’Connor (1925-2003) starred with Gene Kelly (1912-1996) in Singin’ in the Rain (1952), the very best musical on film. O’Connor should have been dancing in more movie musicals, but he found himself stuck with inflexible studio-system contracts. He shared a birthday with co-star from other films, dancer Peggy Ryan (1924-2004). Dance ethnologist Allegra Fuller Snyder (1927-2021) was a pioneer in the field and specialized in Native American dance, particularly the Yaqui, and she was a professor at UCLA. Choreographer Wayne Cilento (1949-), original cast member from A Chorus Line (1975) created many commercials and Broadway shows, including Wicked (2003). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/august-29 daily 0.75 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632109802399-Q4ZEJT9DH73OQB2P7SJC/vera+zorina.jpg August 29 - August 29 Born Today: Mark Morris American contemporary modern choreographer Mark Morris (1956-) created some of his most potent works while his company was in residence overseas in Brussels, including the lusciously colorful dance, L'Allegro and The Hard Nut, a weird and wonderful update of The Nutcracker. In 2001, Morris and his company moved into their permanent home in Brooklyn. Michael Jackson (1958-2009) left a fraught legacy behind, but his amazing dance talent lives on. Each year, Thrill the World gathers dancers together to perform the Thriller dance on the Saturday before Halloween. You can learn this dance for free and join in local celebrations. Get your skeleton online and check it out. ----- Movies: The Golddiggers of Broadway released 1929, Top Hat released in 1935, Pajama Game released in 1957 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-13 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632258311213-NWSDHQLHB4S8167US0IQ/vera+zorina.jpg September 13 - September 13 Born Today: Pilar Rioja The daughter of Spanish immigrants, dancer Pilar Rioja (1932-) grew up in Mexico and learned traditional Mexican and Spanish dances as a youth. She began presenting dance concerts in 1947 and in 1950 she moved to Mexico City to study professionally and continued visiting Spain to study flamenco in the 1960s. She met influential dance teacher Manolo Vargas in 1970 and in 1972, she danced in the opera Carmen accompanied by singer Placido Domingo, cementing her reputation as “The Queen of Flamenco”. Rioja toured internationally well into her seventies, getting better and better with age. ------ Movie: Thousands Cheer released in 1943 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-11 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632258176834-EZ25IW40BCN3A3AIXAOG/vera+zorina.jpg September 11 - September 11 Born Today: Yulia Zagoruychenko Ballroom dancer Yulia Zagoruychenko (1981-) was born in Russia and began dancing with a folk dance group at the age of four. She began teaching at the age of 11 and began winning championships at 12 and later chose to focus on Latin styles. Zagoruychenko relocated to the United States at 21 and began dancing with partner Riccardo Cocchi (1977-) in 2007. They won ten Latin Dance World Championships in a row before retiring in 2019. Also Born Today: TV star and dancer Lola Falana (1942-) was mentored by Rat Pack member and tap master, Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-20 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632263757136-Q7SWQGG7Z7NBM0IF9PUJ/vera+zorina.jpg September 20 - September 20 Born Today: Bebe Miller Contemporary modern choreographer Bebe Miller (1950-) graduated from the Ohio State dance program and performed with Nina Wiener before forming her own company in 1985 to tour nationally and internationally. She served as a professor at her alma mater for 17 years and her company now resides all over the United States. They build work over a period of years in long-term residencies that bring collaborators and dancers together. Their project, Dance Fort, shares their technological explorations with the dance field and encourages the use of digital media in the creative process. Also Born Today: Ballerina Olga Ferri (1928-2012) danced with the Teatro Colón in Argentina. Ballroom dancer Brian Fortuna (1982-) performed in West End Productions and on TV dance shows including Strictly Come Dancing (UK) and Dancing with the Stars (US). ——- Passing: Wovoka (c. 1856 to September 20, 1932), Northern Paiute founder of the Native American Ghost Dance movement of the 1890s. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-23 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632264804855-SIQY5X3XS2NOS3856TY5/vera+zorina.jpg September 23 - September 23 Born Today: Virginia Bosler Dancer Virginia Bosler (1926-2020) studied ballet with Mikhail Mordkin (1880-1944) as a child to improve her posture. After moving to Connecticut, she took up dancing again in high school, studying modern and folk dance and studying Pilates with Joseph Pilates (1883-1967). In 1946, she was cast in the touring version of Bloomer Girl by Agnes de Mille (1905-1993) and this break led to a role in Brigadoon (1947), which she reprised in the 1954 film version. Bosler continued working with de Mille in the movie version of Oklahoma! (1955). In the 1970s she began the process of Labanotation certification and she notated dances by de Mille, among others. Also Born Today: Actor/dancer Mickey Rooney (1920-2014) is best known for appearing as a song-and-dance team in musicals with Judy Garland (1922-1969) during WWII, including Babes in Arms (1939) and Babes on Broadway (1941). Dancer and professional figure skater JoAnn Dean (1923-2015) performed in ice shows with skater Sonja Heine and was often paired with dancer Gene Nelson (1920-1996) in the 1950s. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-16 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632261822356-GGH78ESAEVJS8DLFVEA7/vera+zorina.jpg September 16 - September 16 Born Today: George Chakiris The ever-glorious George Chakiris (1934-), who you may know from the movie West Side Story (1961), appeared as a background dancer in movies throughout the 1950s, such as Brigadoon and White Christmas (both 1954). He danced in West Side Story on Broadway and was cast for the film version as well. But did you know that he also appeared in a great many TV shows during the 1970s and 1980s, including The Partridge Family, Wonder Woman, Dallas, Fantasy Island (naturally), and Murder, She Wrote? Also Born Today: Chief dance critic for the NYT from 2004-2006, John Rockwell (1940-) served as the director for the Lincoln Center Festival in the late 1990s. Dancer Travis Michael Wall (1987-) was a competitor and choreographer for the TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-5 daily 0.75 2021-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632256887748-MSFPOQKWV2T8LHQ0BV2B/vera+zorina.jpg September 5 - September 5 Born Today: King Louis XIV If you love ballet, say thanks and happy birthday to King Louis XIV (1638-1715). This sexy beast with the nice gams was a shrewd ruler and a mighty fine dancer. In fact, he loved dance so much that he performed onstage and founded the Academie Royale de Danse in 1661 to help train professional dancers. He was also pretty brilliant when it came to hanging onto the throne and the following plan worked beautifully. 1. Declare yourself as “The Sun King” = everything revolves around you. 2. Courtiers spending time learning complicated dances = less time for uprisings. Also Born Today: Classical Indian Kathak dancer Damayanti Joshi (1928-2004). ----- Dance Event: Denishawn dancers appear in silent film Intolerance, released in 1916. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-14 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632258387966-8MSJH1JKTP83HR2L8NCK/vera+zorina.jpg September 14 - September 14 Born Today: Corporal Nelson Barclift Dancer Nelson Barclift (1917-1993) studied at the Bennington School of Dance in 1937, with modern dance pioneers Martha Graham (1894-1991), Doris Humphrey (1895-1958), and Charles Weidman (1901-1975) and danced in musicals by Kurt Weill and Rodgers and Hart on Broadway. He joined the Army in 1942 and was posted to the Theatre Section. That same year, he choreographed Irving Berlin’s all-soldier musical This is the Army on Broadway, along with Sgt. Robert Sidney (1909-2008). The show was so popular, it was made into a movie in 1943, starring George Murphy (1902-1992). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-4 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632256791163-6947M8FSZZY7KXGRAEOC/vera+zorina.jpg September 4 - September 4 Born Today: La Argentina Antonia Mercé y Luque, also known as La Argentina (1890-1936), initially studied ballet, but when she turned 14, she began studying Spanish dances and is credited with formalizing traditional folk techniques and regional dances. She was beloved by Kazuo Ohno (1906-2010), an early Butoh dancer, who dedicated a solo to her memory. Also Born Today: Bauhaus artist and choreographer of the avant-garde Triadic Ballet, Oskar Schlemmer (1888-1943). Hollywood Golden Age dancer/actress, Mitzi Gaynor (1931-2024) starred in films such as There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) and South Pacific (1958). Dancer/actress Khandi Alexander (1957-) performed on Broadway in shows such as Chicago (1975), and Dancin’ (1978), in films such as A Chorus Line (1985), before appearing in multiple TV shows. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-2 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632256627472-45F1R4K05AAFSKHXFJ7F/vera+zorina.jpg September 2 - September 2 Born Today: Marge Champion Dancer Marge Champion (1919-2020) and her husband, Gower Champion (1919-1980), appeared together in the movie Showboat (1951) and were one of the last well-known movie dancing couples in the 1940s and 1950s. Even before they met, she worked for Walt Disney and was the model for the lead character in Snow White (1937), the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio (1940), and the movement model for the dancing hippos in Fantasia (1940). ——- Movies: Carefree released in 1938 and It’s Always Fair Weather released in 1955 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-9 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632257734955-FUIVHPADBE9Z6UUOCPF7/vera+zorina.jpg September 9 - September 9 Born Today: The Trocks Happy Fabulous Birthday to Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, known lovingly as The Trocks. They premiered their first all-male en pointe show on September 9, 1974. Ballet has never recovered - and thank goodness for that! Go look them up on YouTube - they are hilarious. Also Born Today: Visionary producer Arthur Freed (1894-1973) made it possible for MGM to make superior quality musicals. He hired the best from Broadway and Hollywood and gave them unheard-of creative freedom. Marion Rice (1904-1995), was a Denishawn dancer and the mother of dancer Carolyn Brown (1927-). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-26 daily 0.75 2026-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632265042215-QUE4ONG3NUP7G52PBMRI/vera+zorina.jpg September 26 - September 26 Born Today: Carolyn Brown Dancer Carolyn Brown (1927-2025) was a founding member of the Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) postmodern dance company and performed with them from 1953 to 1973 and currently teaches and advises for the company. Her mother, Marion Rice (1904-1995) was a Denishawn dancer. Also Born Today: Actor and “fastest Charleston dancer” George Raft (1901-1980). Arnie Zane (1948-1988) was a photographer and collaborator/partner of choreographer Bill T. Jones (1952-). Ballet dancer Lawrence Leritz (1962-) performed with the NYCB, Joffrey Ballet, and on Broadway, but he is perhaps best known for his bestselling Total Stretch! exercise video. ----- Broadway premiere: West Side Story in 1957 Movie: Damn Yankees released in 1958 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-29 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632265294857-IMGBSZV5Z8L6QJZKZ9VV/vera+zorina.jpg September 29 - September 29 Born Today: Isha Sharvani Indian contemporary dancer and actor Isha Sharvani (1984-) was born into a dancing family and began her studies as a young teen, learning several classical Indian dances including Kathak, and aerial dance. She began appearing in films in 2005 and performed with her mother’s contemporary dance company, Daksha Sheth Dance Company, located in Kerala. Sharvani lives in Australia and owns a dance studio. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-12 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632258246068-V6KCCOLY5HB6TKO7FORJ/vera+zorina.jpg September 12 - September 12 Born Today: Michelle Dorrance Tap dancer Michelle Dorrance (1979-) grew up dancing with her mom M'Liss Gary Dorrance, former ballerina and owner of the Ballet School of Chapel Hill and was mentored by tap master Gene Medler, who introduced her to all of the living tap masters, including Cholly Atkins (1913-2003) and Gregory Hines (1946-2003). Dorrance performed with STOMP and Savion Glover (1973-) before founding Dorrance Dance in 2010. Also Born Today: French singer/dancer and actor Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) was a musical comedy star at the Folies Bergère before transitioning to film in the 1930s. ----- Broadway Premiere:The Black Crook (1866) https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-1 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632255306183-Q7OO9VGAINERWSH9BWPX/vera+zorina.jpg September 1 - September 1 Born Today: Peggy van Praagh Artistic Director Peggy van Praagh (1910-1990) began dancing at the age of four and later studied with luminaries such as Tamara Karsavina (1885-1978) and dance historian Cyril W. Beaumont (1891-1976). Van Praagh danced with Ballet Rambert, choreographer Antony Tudor (1908-1987), and taught ballet classes for Sadler’s Wells Ballet School. Appointed Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet upon its founding 1962, she remained at the helm until 1974, helping to support ballet as an art form in Australia and nurturing the development of Australian choreographers including Ian Spink (1947-) and Graeme Murphy (1950-). Also Born Today: dancer Marilyn Miller (1898-1936) was a star of Ziegfeld Follies shows on Broadway from 1918-1924. Percussive dance and tap dancer Max Pollak (1970-) created the hybrid form RumbaTap, a combination of rhythm tap and Latin American music and dance forms. ----- Movie: Lady be Good released in 1941 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-3 daily 0.75 2021-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632256713270-MYI0J1K5V3VNPXE4ZT5V/vera+zorina.jpg September 3 - September 3 Born Today: Florrie Rodrigo Dutch dancer Florrie Rodrigo (1893-1996) is considered a pioneer of modern dance in the Netherlands. She lived and performed for a few years in Germany, but returned home due to rising anti-Semitism in the mid-1920s. She also fell out of favor with Dutch authorities, but narrowly avoided being sent to a concentration camp. She performed in Brussels for a few years before retiring from the stage in 1949 and devoting herself to teaching for the remainder of her career. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-6 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632256959836-OB2IGE7OTS5ZISP0IDOD/vera+zorina.jpg September 6 - September 6 Born Today: Rosie Perez Actor Rosie Perez (1964-) might be best known for her distinctive voice, but she was a dancer on Soul Train in the early 1980s before being discovered by director Spike Lee. Perez choreographed dance videos for Janet Jackson (1966-) and Diana Ross and she choreographed and danced in routines for The Fly Girls on the TV show In Living Color in the early 1990s. Also Born Today: Ballerina Carolyn George (1927-2009) who danced in the 1954 Broadway revival of On Your Toes and was married to dancer Jacques D’Amboise (1934-2021). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-7 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632257022014-OO664U5JWIB7DJSTEBV6/vera+zorina.jpg September 7 - September 7 Born Today: Brenda Bufalino Tap dancer and advocate Brenda Bufalino (1937-) was mentored by Charles “Honi” Coles (1911-1992) and shared the stage with tap legends like The Nicholas Brothers. Along with Coles, she founded and directed the American Tap Dance Orchestra from 1986-1999, after which the organization became known as the American Tap Dance Foundation and refocused to support the art of tap dance, encourage young choreographers, and honor legends in the field. Besides dancing, Bufalino also writes articles about tap dance and contributed both the forward and the afterward for the seminal book, Jazz Dance by Marshall and Jean Stearns. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-8 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632257109089-U2E8029ZS2C39QKV3UJK/vera+zorina.jpg September 8 - September 8 Born Today: Justin Peck Dancer/choreographer Justin Peck (1987-) danced with the New York City Ballet, and was appointed Resident Choreographer in 2014, a post held by only one other choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon (1973-). He has created works for companies all over the United States and for the Paris Opera Ballet. Like many other ballet choreographers with NYCB, Peck choreographs for Broadway shows and in 2018 he won a Tony Award for Best Choreography for a revival of Carousel. He also choreographed the new movie version of West Side Story (2022). Also Born Today: Balinese dancer and doctor Bulantrisna Djelantik (1947-2021) specialized in traditional Legong dance and was also an ENT physician and lecturer at Padjadjaran University in West Java. ----- Movie: Brigadoon released in 1954 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-17 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632263471201-NO0AXWBYAYWQQ799GG26/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-10 daily 0.75 2022-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632257848464-PART5WS3ATJ983MQGPPJ/vera+zorina.jpg September 10 - September 10 Born Today: Misty Copeland Ballerina Misty Copeland (1982-) was the first African-American woman to be named principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 2015. Copeland began dancing at the late age of 13 and she has been instrumental in the movement to more fully integrate ballet dance companies and provide training for young dancers of color. Also Born Today: Dancer Adele Astaire (1896-1981), sister and early performing partner of Fred Astaire (1899-1987). Norman Morrice (1931-2008) was director of Ballet Rambert and the Royal Ballet. Harry Groener (1951-) apprenticed at the SF Ballet before pursuing a career in TV and film. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-15 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632258474968-YUOISTQ3XS7D7QDJL1P2/vera+zorina.jpg September 15 - September 15 Born Today: Kathryn Murray Ballroom dancer Kathryn Murray (1906-1999), along with her husband Arthur Murray (1895-1991), hosted the TV show, The Arthur Murray Party from 1950-1960, bringing ballroom dancing into living rooms all over the country. They co-founded dance instruction studios internationally and created the ‘magic step’ system of dotted lines, arrows, and shoe outlines that diagrammed dances for students to follow. Their studios are still open today. ----- Movie: Babes in Arms released in 1939 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-21 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632263823467-6MHNBDOP8LU1FKDHE7U5/vera+zorina.jpg September 21 - September 21 Born Today: Clement Crisp Writer and journalist Clement Crisp (1931-2022) wrote dance criticism for the Financial Times in London for over 60 years, before retiring in 2019. In particular, he was keen on the work of Kenneth MacMillan (1929-1992) and although his passion was ballet, he wrote insightful reviews of flamenco, modern dance, and other styles of dance performances and even admitted to enjoying hip-hop dance. Crisp was also the former librarian and archivist for the Royal Academy of Dance and authored 17 books on ballet. His encyclopedic knowledge of ballet is on full display in his terse and honest style. Also Born Today: Actor and dancer Alfonso Ribeiro (1971) is best known for playing Will Smith’s dorky brother Carlton on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air who performed his own wacky dance, but he was also a skilled tap dancer and appeared on Broadway in The Tap Dance Kid (1983). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-30 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632265415702-9RODQDHPHER92U9S4B1E/vera+zorina.jpg September 30 - September 30 Born Today: Pierina Legnani Ballerina Pierina Legnani (1863-1930) is best known for first performing the bravura feat of 32 fouettés (whipping turns on one leg) in Marius Petipa’s (1818-1910) ballet, Cinderella, in 1893. In fact, she originated lead roles in Swan Lake (1895) and Raymonda (1898). Her closely-guarded secret for performing all of those turns? She used a method called ‘spotting’. The dancer focuses on a spot and whips the head around quickly to find it again. Spotting prevents the dancer from getting dizzy...well, not AS dizzy. And once the other ballerinas figured out her secret, there was no stopping the spinning. Also Born Today: Tap dancer Cholly Atkins (1913-2003) was hired by Motown to create cool moves for back-up dancers in the 1960s and he choreographed the Broadway hit Black and Blue in 1989. ——- Movie: Footlight Parade released in 1933 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-18 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632263614178-RZ4R5A25NN44FYQG4HHF/vera+zorina.jpg September 18 - September 18 Born Today: Agnes de Mille Just so you know, Agnes de Mille’s (1905-1993) dancers were riding invisible horses back in the 1940s! She pwns you, Monty Python and PSY. De Mille choreographed the groundbreaking musical Oklahoma! (1943), unifying the dancing with the plot and forever changing Broadway musicals with one Dream Ballet. Later on she wrote many dishy books about dance, including a biography of choreographer Martha Graham (1894-1991), a lifelong friend. Also Born Today: Dance Historian and teacher, Selma Jeanne Cohen (1920-2005) believed dance to be worthy of scholarly study and she edited the ambitious six-volume International Encyclopedia of Dance, completed in 1998. The Today in Dance resource, and the rest of the dance field owes her a huge debt of gratitude. Ballet dancer Kelvin Coe (1946-1992) joined the fledgling Australian Ballet and became one of the country’s best known dancers, performing with many internationally-renowned ballerinas. Postmodern dancer, Siobhan Davies (1950-) performed with the London Contemporary Dance Theatre and her own company, and opened the gorgeous Siobhan Davies Studio in 2006, a facility supporting both dancers and choreographers. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-24 daily 0.75 2022-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632264861674-5TVK12W2CU2TDV2LA8MA/vera+zorina.jpg September 24 - September 24 Born Today: Svetlana Beriosova Ballerina Svetlana Beriosova (1932-1998) danced with the Royal Ballet for over 20 years and was instrumental in the career development of dance partner Donald MacLeary (1937-). Beriosova came from a ballet family - she was the daughter of ballet master Nicolas Beriosoff (1906-1996), who danced with Leonid Massine (1869-1979) and the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo in the 1930s. After her family relocated to the United States from Lithuania, she studied with married duo and revered ballet teachers Anatole Vilzak (1896-1998) and Ludmila Schollar (1888-1978) in New York. Beriosova retired in 1975 and, like MacLeary, coached younger dancers in the company. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-25 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632264958012-9EVXTXLJD8FTB9JAD1GK/vera+zorina.jpg September 25 - September 25 Born Today: Adolph Bolm Ballet dancer Adolph Bolm (1884-1951) toured with Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) in 1908-1909 and performed with the original Ballets Russes company before relocating to Chicago to teach. In 1929, he relocated to California, establishing the San Francisco Opera Ballet in 1933. Also Born Today: The dancer with the most flexible back, Harriet Hoctor (1905-1976). Check out her performance in Shall We Dance (1937). Ballroom dancer Juliet Prowse (1936-1996) made a splash in the movie Can-Can (1959) and in G.I. Blues (1960) with Elvis. ----- Movie: You’ll Never Get Rich released in 1941 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-27 daily 0.75 2022-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632265157333-76425MFFRG6IXDK5JP9S/vera+zorina.jpg September 27 - September 27 Born Today: Matt Harding Matt Harding (1976-) does not consider himself a dancer, but he has brought people together all over the world to dance his inspired little jig in front of world landmarks. Check him out at whereetheheckismatt.com and I promise that he will inspire you and make you smile. Also Born Today: Cléopâtre-Diane de Mérode (1875-1966) was a glamorous French dancer who had her portrait done by painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, among others. Ballerina Heather Watts (1953-) danced with the New York City Ballet and performed in numerous Dance in America episodes. She is married to Damian Woetzel (1967-). ----- Dance Premiere: Akram Khan’s stunning update of Giselle premiered in 2016 Movies: Strike up the Band released in 1940 and Blue Skies released in 1946 in London https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-19 daily 0.75 2022-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632263683873-E1T3G6UHM30UYLT4CKDQ/vera+zorina.jpg September 19 - September 19 Born Today: Amalia Hernandez Dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernández (1919-2000), was instrumental in the presentation and preservation of Mexican folklóric dance. Early in her career, she studied ballet with Nellie Campobello (1900-1986) at the National School of Dance in Mexico City, but Hernández was captivated by the breadth and variety of traditional Mexican folk dances and indigenous dances inspired by Mesoamerican cultures. She founded Ballet Folklórico de México in 1952 and an invitation to perform on TV two years later brought her company national recognition and support from the Department of Tourism. The company has represented Mexican folk dance in North America and on international tours and they still perform weekly at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-22 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632264743012-6ITM0U8CIEE6LI42598N/vera+zorina.jpg September 22 - September 22 Born Today: Toni Basil Multitalented Toni Basil (1943-) has had many careers in the dance world and beyond. She was a founding member of Don Campbell’s (1951-2020) West Coast Funk dance group, The Lockers, and as a singer, she had a hit song, Mickey (1982). In film, she appeared as one of the dancers in the musical Sweet Charity (1969) and she choreographed the iconic music video Once in A Lifetime for the Talking Heads (1980). Also Born Today: Scholar of African diasporic dance and teacher Kariamu Welsh (1949-2021) earned a Doctorate of Arts in dance history and taught the African dance method of Umfundalai (translates to “essence”) at Temple University and was the artistic director of Kariamu & Company: Traditions. ----- Movie: My Sister Eileen released in 1955 Broadway Premiere: Fiddler on the Roof in 1964 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/september-28 daily 0.75 2022-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632265218771-DBA0ZAZE89BMTP4OD5NR/vera+zorina.jpg September 28 - September 28 Born Today: Kathleen Marshall Choreographer Kathleen Marshall (1962-), sister of choreographer/director Rob Marshall (1960-) has choreographed many revival Broadway shows, including Grease, The Pajama Game and Anything Goes. She has also worked on projects with her brother, including the revival of Damn Yankees and the Broadway version of Victor/Victoria (1995). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-3 daily 0.75 2022-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632274893594-YVYS5L9B4QUC8HASIZ41/vera+zorina.jpg October 3 - October 3 Born Today: Erik Bruhn Dancer Erik Bruhn (1928-1986) studied with the Royal Danish Ballet and joined the company in 1947, although he took frequent sabbaticals to perform with ABT, and many other companies worldwide. In 1955, he partnered Alicia Markova (1910-2004) in a flawless performance of Giselle that delighted dance critics and audiences alike. His retirement from major roles in 1972 allowed him to take on character roles until his death in 1986. Also Born Today: Evan-Burrows Fontaine (1898-1984) was a Denishawn dancer embroiled in a lawsuit with a wealthy family. Choreographer Christopher Bruce (1945-) served as the Artistic Director of the Rambert Dance Company from 1994-2002. Contemporary dancer Louise Lecavalier (1958-) performed with company La La La Human Steps from 1981-1998. ----- Movie: Les Girls released in 1957 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-9 daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275357752-QAAPS5FEKF6059JASAUL/vera+zorina.jpg October 9 - October 9 Born Today: Sally Banes Dance writer and critic, Sally Banes (1950-2020) performed with postmodern choreographers Kenneth King (1948-), Meredith Monk (1942-) and Simone Forti (1935-) before earning a PhD at NYU. Her dissertation was later published as a book in 1993 (Democracy’s Body: Judson Dance Theater, 1962–1964) and she also published a collection of her dance reviews from the Chicago Reader as Terpsichore in Sneakers: Post-Modern Dance (1980). In New York, she wrote for the Village Voice and Dance Magazine. Banes also taught at various universities throughout the country and continued to write several seminal books and compile anthologies of her reviews and essays until 2002. Also Born Today: Dancer Sergeant Robert Sidney (1909-2008) collaborated with Corporal Nelson Barclift (1917-1993) on Irving Berlin’s all-soldier musical This is the Army on Broadway in 1942. ----- Movie: Finian’s Rainbow released in 1968 Broadway Premiere: High Button Shoes in 1947 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-2 daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632274808752-XIVL7E8O93CM5CMPCVJD/vera+zorina.jpg October 2 - October 2 Born Today: Jimmy Slyde Tap dancer James Titus Godbolt is known as Jimmy Slyde (1927-2008) and as the “King of Slides,” after his signature move. Initially a violinist studying at the Boston Conservatory, the rhythm tapper found that he wanted to take class across the street at the dance studio regularly hosting the legends of tap dance, such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (1878-1949) and Charles “Honi” Coles (1911-1992). He and his partner, Jimmy “Sir Slide” Mitchell created an act that performed with the Count Basie and the Duke Ellington orchestras. When work in the US dried up, he relocated overseas in the 1970s and performed in Paris, returning in the 1980s to perform on Broadway and in a series of tap movies. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer and former wife of George Balanchine (1904-1983), Tanaquil LeClercq (1929-2000) partially overcame polio to continue teaching dance. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-23 daily 0.75 2021-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632276621963-0C9FCBQBKA9L96NRS0QP/vera+zorina.jpg October 23 - October 23 Born Today: Seymour Felix Director/choreographer Seymour Felix (1892-1961) began dancing during the vaudeville era at the age of 15. He began staging dances (staging was the early name for choreography) on Broadway around 1923 and he created dances for hit shows such as Whoopee! and Rosalie (both 1928). He moved to Hollywood in 1929 and began choreographing for musicals featuring sound technology, and worked on films well into the 1950s. Some of his notable films are: The Great Ziegfeld (1936), Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), and Cover Girl (1944). ---- Broadway Premiere: Pippin in 1972 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-1 daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632274755363-MOFB3E95Z6SBSWNEE7OL/vera+zorina.jpg October 1 - October 1 Born Today: Luke Cresswell Self-taught percussionist and street performer Luke Cresswell (1963-), along with co-creator Steve McNicholas (1955-) created STOMP in 1991, performing off-and-on with the dance percussion group over the years. They directed the 1997 HBO special, STOMP Out Loud, an excellent representation of their work making movement and music with everyday objects. Cresswell and McNicholas continue to collaborate on various projects, including directing commercials and documentaries, founding the Lost and Found Orchestra in 2006, and purchasing the Old Market Theatre in their hometown of Brighton & Hove. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Edward Villella (1936-) danced with the New York City Ballet from 1960-1979. He founded and ran the Miami City Ballet from 1985-2012. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-11 daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275491994-7YFASDYKYMX04ORLW5QC/vera+zorina.jpg October 11 - October 11 Born Today: Jerome Robbins Choreographer Jerome Robbins (1918-1998) moved seamlessly between stage and screen and between ballet and Broadway throughout his long career. He began in musical theatre and joined ABT in 1940, creating the ballet Fancy Free in 1944, before translating it into a full-length musical entitled On The Town, later that year. He choreographed for the New York City Ballet into the 1970s and transferred his Broadway hit The King and I to the movies in 1956. In 1957, he conceived of an update of Romeo and Juliet, he called West Side Story, which he also transferred to film in 1961. The filmed version of WSS was co-choreographed with Peter Gennaro (1919-2000). Additionally, Robbins was a well-known “show doctor” and he shaped the course of many Broadway shows without credit. Also Born Today: Brazilian actor and ballet dancer Iolanda Braga (1941-2021) performed on multiple TV dance shows in the 1960s and went on to be the first black female actor to star in a Brazilian soap opera. ----- Movie: Oklahoma! released in 1955 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-21 daily 0.75 2022-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632276406675-C8HZ1CY501KNR2X5ZJCW/vera+zorina.jpg October 21 - October 21 Born Today: Ted Shawn Dancer Ted Shawn (1891-1972) was a co-founder of the Denishawn school and company with Ruth St. Denis (1879-1968). Denishawn served as the training ground for modern dance pioneers Martha Graham (1894-1991) and Doris Humphrey (1895-1958), among many others. After leaving Denishawn, he started an all-male dance troupe in the 1930s and founded the USA's oldest dance festival, Jacob’s Pillow, in the 1940s. Check out their website for next summer's line-up. Also Born Today: Ballerina Lydia Lopokova (1892-1981) danced with the Ballets Russes and married economist John Maynard Keynes. Ballerina Nadia Nerina (1927-2008) was best known for her bravura performance in Frederick Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardée in 1960. Ballerina Natalia Makarova (1940-) defected from the Kirov in the 1970s to dance in the West. Dancer Paula Kelly (1942-2020) is best known for her role in the movie Sweet Charity (1969). ----- Movies: For Me and My Gal released in 1942, My Fair Lady released in 1964 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-14 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275702841-2EZWR8FGKXP4KTEML9IC/vera+zorina.jpg October 14 - October 14 Born Today: Usher Singer/dancer Usher (1978-) produces concerts featuring dynamic choreography and gifted back-up dancers and cites influences from other singer/dancers Prince (1958-2016) and Michael Jackson (1958-2009). Usher was even able to perform with Jackson onstage in 2001, where he performed his side glide, similar to the Moonwalk, that Jackson made famous in the 1980s. Usher performed on Star Search as a youth and has been involved with dance since then. In 2012 he worked with Microsoft on the game Dance Central 3, lending choreography to accompany his hit songs, and in 2020 he produced and judged for a dance competition series called The Sauce. Also Born Today: Choreographer Conrad Drzewiecki (1926-2007) created works referencing art and literature from his native Poland after returning from performing abroad, helping to create an audience for dance theatre. Rhythm tap dancer Deborah Mitchell (1947-) founded The Rhythm Queen performing group around the 1980s, performed in the Broadway show Black and Blue (1989), and founded the New Jersey Tap Ensemble in 1995. ----- Movie: White Christmas released in 1954 Broadway Premiere: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 1961 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-7 daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275186993-AW3IASGD9RRJ5Y57H63F/vera+zorina.jpg October 7 - October 7 Born Today: Sarah Churchill Actor/dancer Sarah Churchill (1914-1982) was the daughter of Winston Churchill and appeared in several films during the 1930s through the 1950s. She is perhaps best known for starring with Fred Astaire (1899-1987) and Jane Powell (1929-2021) in the musical film Royal Wedding (1951), a semi-biographical film about Astaire’s performing partnership with his sister Adele. Also Born Today: Daniel "Teddy" Fraser (1907- ?) of the performing group Tip, Tap and Toe, that appeared in several films during the 1930s and 1940s. ----- Broadway Premiere: Cats in 1982 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-6 daily 0.75 2022-01-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275098444-GER3J203I70IWRCEMRO0/vera+zorina.jpg October 6 - October 6 Born Today: Casey Nicholaw Broadway choreographer Casey Nicholaw (1962-) performed in community theatre as a youth and went to New York after graduating from UCLA. As a performer, he was in the original productions of Crazy For You (1992), Victor/Victoria (1995), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002). He choreographed Spamalot (2005), The Book of Mormon (2011), and Aladdin (2014), winning a Tony for Direction of The Book of Mormon. Also Born Today: Dancer Zhora Korolyov (1987-2021) performed on the Polish version of Dancing with the Stars and appeared in films and on TV programs. ----- Movie: On Your Toes released in 1939 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-4 daily 0.75 2021-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632274953296-RRL211N1HWMXY6YFDXAQ/vera+zorina.jpg October 4 - October 4 Born Today: Telisha Shaw Actor Telisha Shaw (1978-) studied ballet with the Dance Theatre of Harlem school as a youngster and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a dance degree before relocating to California to pursue a film career. She was a back-up dancer for Janet Jackson (1966-) and Christina Aguilera and has had roles in TV shows and movies, such as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Step Up 2: The Streets (2008). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-30 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632277597853-M5KVF2OY0ON0B33O6DP3/vera+zorina.jpg October 30 - October 30 Born Today: Richard Alston Contemporary choreographer Richard Alston (1948-) began making dances at the London Contemporary Dance School, where he began his studies. In 1980 he was offered the role of resident choreographer for Ballet Rambert, where he stayed for a dozen years. In 1994, he became the artistic director for The Place, in London, where he created his own dance company. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-5 daily 0.75 2022-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275018140-2RKCTGU37S4VQNFYWD8G/vera+zorina.jpg October 5 - October 5 Born Today: Ida Rubinstein Dancer and art patron Ida Rubinstein (1883-1960) performed with the original Ballets Russes from 1909-1911 before forming her own company. Using her considerable fortune, she commissioned work from famous composers Stravinsky and Ravel, and performed in and produced works created by choreographers Michel Fokine (1880-1942), Bronislava Nijinska (1891-1972), and Leonide Massine (1896-1979) until the outbreak of WWII. She is also memorialized in multiple portraits, figurines and costume designs by artists of the period. Also Born Today: Ballet teacher Bella Malinka Dall (1922-2021) taught at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts from 1949 to 1981. Indian Kathakali dancer Mathoor Govindan Kutty (1940-2021) specialized in portraying female characters for six decades. American ballet dancer Richard Cragun (1944-2012) performed with the Stuttgart Ballet from 1965-1996. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-4 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632280958207-GHHEYVEUZO8PT3ANY2IS/vera+zorina.jpg November 4 - November 4 Carlo Blasis Carlo Blasis (1797-1878) was the author of Elementary, Theoretical, and Practical Treatise on the Art of the Dance in 1820, perhaps the first written systemization of ballet technique. It is he you can thank for the balanced pose on one leg with the other bent at an angle that he named attitude, which was inspired by the statue of Mercury by Giovanni da Bologna. Also Born Today: Carolina Otero aka La Belle Otero (1868-1965) was a Spanish dancer and popular performer at the Folies Bèrgere in Paris. Modern dancer Murray Louis (1926-2016) was the creative partner of choreographer Alwin Nikolais (1910-1993). Brazilian dancer/actress Marilena Ansaldi (1934-2021) was a former ballerina and a pioneer of dance theatre in South America. She also appeared in several films in Brazil. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-8 daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275268413-YUA19RHA3QT48ZX0SF32/vera+zorina.jpg October 8 - October 8 Born Today: John Jasperse Choreographer John Jasperse (1963-) worked with Jennifer Monson (1961-) and Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker (1960-) before founding his self-named dance company in 1990. He has created work for the White Oak Project, Batsheva Dance Company, and Lyon Opera Ballet, and he was appointed the Director of Dance at Sarah Lawrence College (his alma mater) in 2016. Also Born Today: Russian ballerina Vera Trefilova (1875-1943) was known for her fouetté turns. Australian choreographer Ian Spink (1947-) was the Artistic Director of Second Stride, an interdisciplinary performance group, from (1982-1996). ----- Movie: Too Many Girls released in 1940 Broadway Premiere: Call Me Madam in 1950 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-10 daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275421221-YXQCSX3UF0G2Z109U00H/vera+zorina.jpg October 10 - October 10 Born Today: Ben Vereen Broadway and film performer Ben Vereen (1946-) attended the High School for Performing Arts (“The Fame School”) and his first real break came not long after graduation. Indeed, in the ten year span between appearing as an unnamed dancer in Bob Fosse’s movie version of Sweet Charity (1969) and starring in All That Jazz (1979), Vereen danced on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar (1971), won a Tony award for Pippin (1972) and appeared in the TV miniseries Roots (1977). He made many TV appearances in the 1980s and returned to headlining on Broadway in Jelly’s Last Jam (1992), Fosse (1999), and Wicked (2005), where he played the role of the Wizard of Oz. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-12 daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275548556-V769ZOAU9A3LKDI8JX8N/vera+zorina.jpg October 12 - October 12 Born Today: Hugh Jackman The multi-talented Hugh Jackman (1968-) began his career in live theatre in Australia, after taking a drama class in college. He played Curly in Oklahoma! on London’s West End in 1998 and shortly afterwards, landed the role of Wolverine in the first of several X-Men movies. He appeared in The Boy From Oz on Broadway in 2003 and has returned several times since, proving himself to be a delightful song-and-dance man. ----- Movie: The Gay Divorcée released in 1934 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-20 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632276164357-D0QSS7H3XG5YD5UA6E1G/vera+zorina.jpg October 20 - October 20 Born Today: Fayard Nicholas One half of the incomparable tap dancing act, The Nicholas Brothers, Fayard Nicholas (1914-2006), is the older of the two. They grew up in a performing family - their parents played in a vaudeville orchestra and the two young tappers rose from the Cotton Club to perform on Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies. They appeared in a number of films in the 1940s and you must watch their dance on the giant staircase in the movie Stormy Weather (1943). It is one of the best performances captured on film. Also Born Today: Modern dancer/choreographer Eleo Pomare (1937-2008), who never shied away from difficult political issues and the black experience. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-11 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632286120087-FJHM2IAZ9LWXNYEWO67V/vera+zorina.jpg November 11 - November 11 Born Today: Mary Anthony Modern dancer/choreographer Mary Anthony (1914-2014) studied with modern dance pioneer Hanya Holm (1893-1992) and later studied with another modern dance pioneer Martha Graham (1894-1991). Anthony performed with Holm’s company from 1943-1949 and appeared in the Broadway show Touch and Go (1949), choreographed by modern dancer Helen Tamiris (1905-1966). In 1956 Anthony founded her own dance company and one of her best known works is the solo Lady Macbeth. She taught with the New Dance Group starting in 1946, inspiring the next few generations of dancers and choreographers, including Donald McKayle (1930-2018), Elisa Monte (1946-), and Ronald K. Brown (c.1967), to name a few. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-16 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514286997-G6LDU0RWO921WK2P1W5O/vera+zorina.jpg November 16 - November 16 Born Today: Donna McKechnie She's the One. Broadway dancer Donna McKechnie (1942-) was the original Cassie from A Chorus Line (1975), choreographed by Michael Bennett (1943-1987). She met Bennett on a TV dance show called Hullabaloo and they were briefly married, but retained a working partnership, and he cast her in several shows, including Promises, Promises (1968) and Company (1970). The role of Cassie is partially based on McKechnie’s life as a dancer on Broadway. She is featured in the documentary Every Little Step (2008). ----- Broadway Premiere: Mary Poppins in 2006 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-26 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632515039623-G7AOU2SE6BUVP2ZDMJPV/vera+zorina.jpg November 26 - November 26 Born Today: Margaret Craske Ballet teacher Margaret Craske (1892-1990) studied with Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928), eventually taking over his London studio upon his retirement in 1923. She and several others helped to codify his teaching methods and Craske later taught at ABT. Her most-recognized students include choreographers Frederick Ashton (1904-1988) and Antony Tudor (1908-1987), and dancers Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) and Robert Helpmann (1909-1986). ----- Ballet Premiere: Le Papillon (The Butterfly) in 1860 Movie: Kiss Me Kate released in 1953 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-13 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/ba44d197-d0dd-483b-b0ba-ebb0af107af4/1200x0.jpg October 13 - October 13 Born Today: Michael Smuin American ballet dancer Michael Smuin (1938-2007) performed with ABT and San Francisco Ballet, before taking over as Artistic Director of SFB from 1973-1985. He founded his own ballet company from 1994 until his passing in 2007. Smuin also performed and choreographed on Broadway, dancing in Little Me (1962) and directing Sophisticated Ladies (1981), starring tap dancer Gregory Hines (1946-2003) and modern dancer Judith Jamison (1943-). Also Born Today: Actor/dancer Liliane Montevecchi (1932-2018), who danced with Roland Petit (1924-2011) and appeared in numerous movie musicals including Daddy Long Legs (1955) and Broadway shows, including Nine (1982), Grand Hotel (1989). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-13 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514040893-7K2IV35Q5XJBACXJAN69/vera+zorina.jpg November 13 - November 13 Born Today: Mary Wigman Modern dance pioneer Mary Wigman (1886-1973) began dancing in her mid-twenties after attending performances by several students taught by Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950), the developer of the method of teaching music concepts using movement he called Eurythmics. In 1913, Wigman was introduced to movement theorist Rudolf von Laban (1879-1958) and she developed an expressive dance technique that differed from ballet, producing her first concert in 1919. She founded a school shortly afterwards and sent protégé Hanya Holm (1893-1992) to New York to teach her technique in the United States. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Guillermina Bravo (1920-2013), who co-founded the Academia de la Danza Mexicana in 1947, along with Josefina Lavalle (1924-2009). ----- Broadway Premieres: The Lion King in 1997 and Billy Elliot in 2008 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-23 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514812758-GG30P7KK6KGNS69B6ISD/vera+zorina.jpg November 23 - November 23 Born Today: Peter Gennaro Broadway dancer/choreographer Peter Gennaro (1919-2000) performed in the original stage productions of Kiss Me Kate (1948), Guys and Dolls (1950), and The Pajama Game (1954) before co-choreographing West Side Story (1957) with Jerome Robbins (1918-1998), only later getting credit for his contributions to the show. He choreographed both the stage and the film versions of The Unsinkable Molly Brown in the 1960s and the stage version of Annie (1977), for which he won a Tony Award. Also Born Today: French contemporary dancer/choreographer, Daniel Larrieu (1957-). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-16 daily 0.75 2022-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275874270-FW0HBJVPPCS43EIPJ7FL/vera+zorina.jpg October 16 - October 16 Born Today: Marian van Tuyl Marian van Tuyl (1907-1987) was active in dance groups while attending the University of Michigan, and upon graduation in 1928, she began teaching dance and directing musical theatre productions at the University of Chicago, and she co-founded the Chicago Dance Council. In 1938 van Tuyl began teaching at Mills College and she helped to establish the dance program under its own department. She published Impulse: An Annual of Contemporary Dance from 1951-1970 and she was a co-founder of the Congress of Research on Dance (CORD). Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Ferenc Nadasi (1893-1996) studied ballet as a youth with teachers Jakab Holczer and Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928), danced with the Budapest State Opera from 1913-1921, and later became the first director of the Budapest State Ballet Institute. ------ Dance Premieres: Billy the Kid in 1938 and Rodeo in 1942 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-27 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632277116104-66EO3GOAGZS4U61BNW4C/vera+zorina.jpg October 27 - October 27 Born Today: Kazuo Ohno Iconic Butoh artist Kazuo Ohno (1906-2010) dedicated his most famous solo to La Argentina (1890-1936), the Spanish dancer he saw perform in the mid-1920s. He described his role in the piece as being both the bull and the bullfighter. It is this tension between bitter rivals that gives the work its emotional core. Also Born Today: Dance/theatre choreographer Blondell Cummings (1944-2015) and former Artistic Director of the New York City Ballet, Peter Martins (1946-). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-28 daily 0.75 2022-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632277283252-G1JDH6GGRUVPF3LUTS44/vera+zorina.jpg October 28 - October 28 Born Today: Chehon Wespi-Tschopp Dancer Chehon Wespi-Tschopp (1989-) was inspired by the film Billy Elliot (2000) and began his studies at the Royal Ballet School in London at the age of 14. He joined the Los Angeles Ballet in 2009 and performed on Broadway in Twyla Tharp’s 2011 musical, Come Fly Away. In 2012, he auditioned for the TV show So You Think You Can Dance and performed many popular routines on the show, earning the title of ‘America’s Favorite Dancer’. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-6 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632281085538-NFBS4FWTKBCPKQD122EC/vera+zorina.jpg November 6 - November 6 Born Today: Mare Tommingas Choreographer Mare Tommingas (1959-) has directed the Vanemuine Ballet in Estonia since 1997, and the company is in residence at one of the country’s most popular theatres. Tommingas studied modern dance in Germany and began as a dancer in the company, before accepting choreography commissions and the directorship. Since 2004, the organization has welcomed dancers from all over the world to join the troupe, which now boasts members from almost every continent, and the local region. Go check out their website - they have the best dancer photos accompanying their bios. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-25 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514974407-G9LQUBHG15DC4RWJF1SC/vera+zorina.jpg November 25 - November 25 Born Today: Alwin Nikolais Visionary choreographer Alwin Nikolais (1910-1993) was appointed the director of the Henry Street Playhouse in 1948 and proceeded to create a remarkable world of dance, joined by longtime collaborator, Murray Louis (1926-2016) for the next 40+ years. Nikolais’ work pioneered multimedia performance and his dancers interacted with props and full-body costumes to soundscapes of his own devising. Also Born Today: Postmodern choreographer and Judson Dance artist Trisha Brown (1936-2017) created site-specific pieces featuring people walking down the sides of buildings and dancing on rooftops. She formulated a choreographic method called Accumulation - long strings of movement that continuously added one more movement on the end before repeating, much like The Twelve Days of Christmas song, without all of the birds. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-17 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275956486-4NWDCQPM1UH0Y6AJL1SL/vera+zorina.jpg October 17 - October 17 Born Today: Doris Humphrey Doris Humphrey (1895-1958), created a vital modern technique based on rising and falling and the arc in between these two extremes. Broadway choreographer Susan Stroman (1954-) is best known for The Producers (2001) - which began as a movie (1967), was remade on Broadway, and then transformed into a movie-musical (2005). Hollywood musical star Rita Hayworth (1918-1987) partnered Fred Astaire (1899-1987) and Gene Kelly (1912-1996), a feat that only a few other dancers can claim. Susan Marshall (1958-) choreographed the hypnotic and haunting duet, Arms in 1984. Rob Marshall (1960-) choreographed many Broadway hits, including the Damn Yankees revival, and a stunning movie version of Chicago (2002). ----- Movie: Jailhouse Rock released in 1957 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-26 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632277018091-7JSXTO8TZP5KVRZ7FW06/vera+zorina.jpg October 26 - October 26 Born Today: Aaron Kwok Performer Aaron Kwok (1965-) was known as one of the Four Heavenly Kings in the 1990s. Kwok is a pop-music singer and dancer nicknamed the “God of Dance” and his dancing is inspired by Michael Jackson (1958-2009) often called the “King of Pop”. He also starred in several TV shows and in movies including Saviour of the Soul (1991). Kwok began dancing around 1984 when he took a dancer training course offered by TBV, a Hong Kong broadcasting company. He was transferred to the acting department in 1987 and began appearing on TV shows before breaking into pop music around 1991. Also Born Today: Ballroom dancer Joanne Clifton (1983-) began studying ballroom and Latin dances with her parents, who were World Champion dancers. She partnered with her brother Kevin Clifton (1982-) and when she took on another partner, she chose to pursue ballroom style instead so that she and her brother would not directly compete against each other. She has won several championships, appeared on several versions of the TV show Strictly Come Dancing from 2014-2019, and she dances in musical theatre touring shows including The Rocky Horror Picture Show. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-7 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632281166875-RNC3DNYLACO0NMR4CCER/vera+zorina.jpg November 7 - November 7 Born Today: Nellie Campobello Dancer Nellie Campobello (1900-1986), and her half-sister Gloria Campobello (1917-1968), relocated to Mexico City and performed in the 1930s. In 1937, Nellie was offered the directorship of the National School of Dance and in 1942, the sisters founded the Mexico City Ballet. She is perhaps best known for her novel Cartucho (1931), a chronicle of the Mexican Revolution written from a woman’s perspective. Also Born Today: Dancer Rachele Brooke Smith (1987-) appeared in films such as Center Stage: Turn It Up , Bring It On: Fight to the Finish, and Burlesque. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-27 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632515137600-T7TWBS0DHZD6UYXXI5PI/vera+zorina.jpg November 27 - November 27 Born Today: Ann Cooper Albright Dance educator and writer, Ann Cooper Albright (1959-) teaches at Oberlin College and came to dance by way of philosophy. Her work is at the crossroads of feminist theory, philosophy, and performance studies. Her books include a co-edited collection of essays ideal for teaching dance history - Moving History/Dancing Cultures: A Dance History Reader (2001) and Engaging Bodies: The Politics and Poetics of Corporeality (2013). Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Nicholas Magallanes (1922-1977) performed in the first NYCB performance (October 11, 1948) and created the role of the Cavalier partner of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Balanchine’s first performance of The Nutcracker (1954). ----- Dance Premiere: Agon in 1957 Movie: Born to Dance released in 1936 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-22 daily 0.75 2022-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632276518335-N99C5FA2WVG6RXIPPFQ1/vera+zorina.jpg October 22 - October 22 Born Today: Philippe Decouflé French contemporary choreographer Philippe Decouflé (1961-) is best known for directing music videos for bands Fine Young Cannibals (She Drives Me Crazy) and New Order (True Faith), but he made intriguing videos for his own dance company, including the playful Le Petit Bal in 1994. His early studies included circus arts and mime, making him a perfect fit for Cirque du Soleil, a group for whom he choreographed the shows Iris (2011) and Paramour (2016). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-19 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514529006-L228GGICBK1CXX5EO7F2/vera+zorina.jpg November 19 - November 19 Born Today: Savion Glover Tap prodigy Savion Glover (1973-) appeared on Broadway at the age of 11 And danced in four of the most consequential showcases of tap dance talent including Black and Blue (1989). He starred in Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk (1996), which he also choreographed, and appeared in the film Tap (1989) and Spike Lee’s prescient Bamboozled (2000), but he is probably best known for his contribution to the tap dancing penguin movies, Happy Feet (2006 & 2011). Also Born Today: Movement theorist François Delsarte (1811-1871), who created a system of expressing emotion through bodily poses, influencing the creation of modern dance in the 20th century. Broadway choreographer Rob Ashford (1959-) won a Tony Award for his work in Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) and he choreographed Frozen (2018). ----- Movie: You Were Never Lovelier released in 1942 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-1 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632280690972-WPG5TEWZCPTKLEO104SQ/vera+zorina.jpg November 1 - November 1 Born Today: André Levinson Dance writer André Levinson (1887-1933) taught at the Sorbonne in Paris and wrote many books in the 1920s about influential dance personalities. He preferred the technical aspects of classical ballet rather than the expressive possibilities that were championed by his contemporary, Michel Fokine (1880-1942), though Levinson did have a fondness for modern dancer Isadora Duncan (1877-1927). Also Born Today: Dance historian Cyril W. Beaumont (1891-1976) wrote more than 30 books on dance after seeing the Ballets Russes in 1912. He founded Beaumont Press in order to self-publish about his passion and to connect with dance practitioners. His London bookshop became the place to find books on all types of dance until it closed in 1965. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-2 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632280770447-UDWC8VPGEJZD0WPRQL1D/vera+zorina.jpg November 2 - November 2 Born Today: Carmen Amaya Not all sources agree that fierce flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya (circa 1913-1963) was born today. She grew up poor in a Roma flamenco family and began performing at the age of six. By the 1930s she was appearing in Spanish films and even made a few in Hollywood, including Follow the Boys (1944). In it you will see Amaya at the height of her powers, performing astonishing rapid-fire footwork, usually reserved for male dancers, and she is wearing pants instead of a skirt. Go watch it right now. She is on fire. Also Born Today: Trinidadian dancer Beryl McBurnie (1915-2000) taught West Indian dance to Pearl Primus (1919-1994) and Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) in the 1940s and founded the Little Carib Theatre on the island. Artistic Director Graeme Murphy (1950-) lead the Sydney Dance Company for 30 years. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-15 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514222936-UJH5I7OR98IHZPKA0UG0/vera+zorina.jpg November 15 - November 15 Born Today: Tilly Losch Dancer Tilly Losch (1903-1975) trained as a ballet dancer and performed with the Vienna Opera while taking classes with modern dance pioneer Mary Wigman (1886-1973). Losch also danced in the original Broadway production of The Band Wagon (1931) with Fred and Adele Astaire and appeared in several Hollywood films. Perhaps her most enduring project was the short silent film, Dance of the Hands (1930), in which she performs an expressive dance featuring mostly hands and her face. Also Born Today: Choreographer Molissa Fenley (1954-), first gained attention for her high-intensity choreography in pieces like Energizer (1980). She now teaches at Mills College. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-17 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514356196-LG7JENDP1MO59XQ67D8H/vera+zorina.jpg November 17 - November 17 Born Today: Platon Karsavin The father of ballet dancer Platon Karsavin (1854-1922) was an actor, but died when Karsavin was very young, leaving his family impoverished. Platon and his brother Vladimir were sent to the Imperial School to study and board and Platon showed skill in dancing. The practice of impoverished families sending their children to study dance in a state-sponsored program in the hopes of launching the youth into a better life was a common practice and many famous dancers emerged from this type of system. Karsavin studied with Marius Petipa (1818-1910) and later danced in his ballets. After retiring from the stage, Karsavin taught choreography at the Imperial School and his daughter, Tamara Karsavina (1885-1978) became a world-famous ballerina. Also Born Today: Sculptor Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988) met modern dance choreographer Martha Graham (1894-1991) through his half-sister Ailes Gilmour (1912-1993), who performed in Graham’s company. In the 1930s and 1940s, Noguchi created iconic sculptural set pieces for Graham’s productions. ------ Broadway Premiere: Little Me in 1962 Movies: 1776 released in 1972, Rent released in 2005, Happy Feet released in 2006 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-19 daily 0.75 2022-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632276108444-V055E3AR79H0W32MUZQ5/vera+zorina.jpg October 19 - October 19 Born Today: Douglas Dunn Postmodern dancer/choreographer Douglas Dunn (1942-) began dancing in college and initially studied ballet. He expanded his palette while attending Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in 1963, and continued studying modern dance after graduation. Dunn performed with Yvonne Rainer (1934-) and Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was a member of the performance group, The Grand Union until 1976, when he founded his own company. Also Born Today: Member of the Osage Nation and younger sister of ballerina Maria Tallchief (1925-2013), ballerina Marjorie Tallchief (1926-2021) danced with the Paris Opera Ballet and choreographer/visual artist Dana Reitz (1948-). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-24 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632276722493-D6L20SFZOX758Q5XPWMG/vera+zorina.jpg October 24 - October 24 Born Today: Wayne Lamb After his service in WWII, Broadway dancer/choreographer Wayne Lamb (1920-2001) studied dance in New York City with ballet choreographer Antony Tudor (1908-1987), modern dance choreographer Martha Graham (1894-1991), and Caribbean dance choreographer Katherine Dunham (1909-2006), among others. Lamb performed on Broadway in Yours is My Heart and Make Mine Manhattan (both 1946) and was a regular dance performer on TV variety shows including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Bob Hope Show in the 1950s. Lamb directed summer stock shows during his time off and began teaching in colleges, eventually ending up at Purdue University from 1960-1986, retiring as a dance professor emeritus after teaching Broadway jazz, tap, ballroom dance and ballet. Also Born Today: Ballerina Sandra Conley (1943-) danced with the Royal Ballet and created the lead role in Valley of Shadows (1983) by choreographer Kenneth MacMillan (1929-1992). Ice dancer Corinne Paliard (1970-) and her partner Didier Courtois (1967-), were the 1988 French National Champions and placed 14th at the Olympics that same year. ------ Movie:The Wiz released in 1978 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-31 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632277699802-WMY2NQ70VEGVBN7BQ7LV/vera+zorina.jpg October 31 - October 31 Born Today: Leon Danielian Ballet dancer/teacher Leon Danielian (1920-1997) studied with Michel Fokine (1880-1942) and Mikhail Mordkin (1880-1944), and like many of his peers, performed with several fledgling ballet companies and on Broadway, but he remained with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo from 1943-1961. After retiring from the stage, Danielian directed the school at ABT until 1980. In 1982, he followed in the footsteps of Igor Youskevitch (1912-1994) and accepted an appointment in the dance department at the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught until 1991. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-20 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514610907-BL0KVA263V4WA6Z47NU1/vera+zorina.jpg November 20 - November 20 Born Today: Ram Gopal Solo Indian dancer Ram Gopal (c.1912-2003) combined classical Indian dance styles with ballet in his choreography. He toured internationally before and after WWII, aided by performer/dance scholar La Meri (1898-1988). Also Born Today: Ballerina Alexandra Danilova (1903-1997) is best remembered for performing with the Ballets Russes. Maya Plisetskaya (1925-2015) is best known for dancing with the Bolshoi Ballet. Postmodern choreographer and composer Meredith Monk (1942-) creates large scale avant garde performances, often in site-specific locations. Ballerina NaTalia Johnson (1983-) danced with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Debbie Allen (1950-) and many other entertainers and retired in 2013 to found a school. Freelance ballet dancer Sergei Polunin (1989-) is best known for performing in a dance film set to the song Take Me to Church in 2015. ——- Movie: Yolanda and the Thief released in 1945 Dance Premiere: The Four Temperaments in 1946 Broadway Premiere: Cabaret in 1966 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-3 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632280903741-C6RK5V27R43Q7BK6PBKA/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-18 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514467278-YV258QYIMBCVE07TAPDV/vera+zorina.jpg November 18 - November 18 Born Today: Steven Boockvor A Chorus Line (1975) alum Steven Boockvor (1942-) and his wife Denise Pence are the basis for the married characters Al and Kristine from the show. Interestingly, he did not play himself in the production, which was one of the longest-running shows in history (1975-1990). He was in the original Broadway version of Cabaret (1966) and Annie (1977), but the character based on his life in A Chorus Line remains his lasting legacy. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-24 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514902165-K3SD1PXU550M3Y99PMAL/vera+zorina.jpg November 24 - November 24 Born Today: Yvonne Rainer Postmodern dance iconoclast and Judson Dance member Yvonne Rainer (1934-) is best known for her rebellious “No Manifesto” listing theatrical conventions she intended to resist, including virtuosity, style, and “no to moving or being moved”. Her signature solo, Trio A (1966) can be performed by anyone and has no repeated movements. Another piece, Continuous Project, Altered Daily (1970) inspired the dance improvisation group, The Grand Union. Also Born Today: Italian dancer/choreographer Bruno Tonioli (1955-), who choreographed stage shows, videos, and touring shows for famous musical artists such as Tina Turner, Sting, Elton John, and Duran Duran. ----- Broadway premiere: Guys and Dolls in 1950. Movie: Dancing Lady released in 1933. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-15 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632275781191-5SAQYS9M5A791MOXBAJN/vera+zorina.jpg October 15 - October 15 Born Today: Edna Deane Ballroom dancer Edna Deane (1905-1995) studied ballet with Marie Rambert (1888-1982) and ballroom dance with Josephine Bradley (1893-1985) and began performing professionally at the age of 12. By 1929, she was a championship ballroom dancer until her retirement in 1935. Deane devoted herself to dance writing and choreography, founding the Deane School of Dance and Drama, along with her sisters and mother. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-5 daily 0.75 2022-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632281013825-2E4T8885TV85EYNBRST2/vera+zorina.jpg November 5 - November 5 Born Today: Marquese Scott Marquese Scott (1981-) is a popping animation dancer whose 2011 YouTube video to a dubstep version of the song Pumped Up Kicks in a stone courtyard made him a viral sensation. He learned animation technique in Atlanta and has performed all over the world. Also Born Today: Dance writer and ethnographer, Deidre Sklar (1944-), whose writings encouraged sensitivity when discussing dances from other cultures. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-10 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632286055747-JHL5EMYCM5VLYTFQXCZM/vera+zorina.jpg November 10 - November 10 Born Today: Ann Reinking Ann Reinking (1949-2020), the fabulous Fosse dancer with the extra-long legs, studied ballet with two former Ballets Russes dancers as a youth and debuted on Broadway in the original production of Cabaret (1966). She starred in several Bob Fosse (1927-1987) stage shows, including Pippin (1972), Chicago (1975), and Dancin’ (1978). She also appeared in a role loosely based on herself in Fosse’s semi-autobiographical film, All that Jazz (1979) and she appeared in the movie Annie (1982). Also Born Today: Ballet patron Nancy Lassalle (1927-2021) helped George Balanchine (1904–1983) to found the Ballet Society in 1946, serving as President. She also served as a founding board member for the School of American Ballet and the New York City Ballet. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-22 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514753156-CJ5GZ6UNQFN51VRATAOZ/vera+zorina.jpg November 22 - November 22 Born Today: Pavel Gerdt Ballet dancer Pavel Gerdt (1844-1917) danced with the Russian Imperial Ballet between 1860-1916, creating classic roles such as Prince Désiré in Sleeping Beauty (1890). Gerdt studied under Christian Johansson (1817-1903) and Jean-Antoine Petipa (1787-1855), the father of Marius Petipa (1818-1910), and Gerdt went on to teach at the Imperial Ballet School, providing a link between 19th century Russian dancers and 20th century ballet rebels such as Vaslav Nijinsky (c.1889-1950), Michel Fokine (1880-1942), and George Balanchine (1904-1983). Also Born Today: Argentinian tango dancer Norberto Esbrez (1966-), also known as El Pulpo (octopus), for the fluidity of his leg work, and postmodern dance theatre artist, Faye Driscoll (1975-). ----- Movies: The Littlest Rebel released in 1935 and Meet Me in St. Louis released in 1944 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-29 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632277384068-B0VPQ2FPQGOW5TZ505EA/vera+zorina.jpg October 29 - October 29 Born Today: Finola Hughes Actor Finola Hughes (1959-) began her career as a dancer and originated the role of Victoria the White Cat in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats, which premiered in London in 1981. She also appeared with John Travolta (1954-) in Stayin’ Alive (1983), the sequel to Saturday Night Fever. Starting in 1985, she appeared on the soap opera General Hospital as the character Anna Devane. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-21 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514664248-A3MARQY82N8TM3S3AFOY/vera+zorina.jpg November 21 - November 21 Born Today: Eleanor Powell Tap dancer Eleanor Powell (1912-1982) is best known for her roles in Hollywood musicals of the 1930s and 1940s. Although she appeared in Broadway musicals, she had better luck in film, debuting in George White’s Scandals of 1935. Powell went on to star in Born to Dance (1936) and Rosalie (1937), created specifically for her talents - incredible turns. This lady could spin like a top and ended many of her dances with a dizzying array of turns, stopping suddenly and flashing that megawatt smile. In the movie Broadway Melody of 1940, she danced with Fred Astaire (1899-1987) on a floor buffed to a mirrored sheen to Cole Porter’s song, Begin the Beguine. Powell held her own as a worthy partner in their one movie together. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-8 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632285919015-MONZP3P8BU6KT5C6AV3H/vera+zorina.jpg November 8 - November 8 Born Today: Esther Rolle Actor Esther Rolle (1920-1998) is best known for her role as Florida Evans on the TV show Good Times (1974-1979) and for her memorable appearances in movies such as Driving Miss Daisy (1989). However, before she turned to acting, she danced with the Asadata Dafora (1890-1965) dance company, Shogola Oloba, in the late 1950s and directed the company in 1960. Also Born Today: Professor of dance Kathleen Kerr (1947-2021) taught folk dance at Oregon State University for 15 years and at the University of Northern Iowa for an additional 20, directing the UNI International Dance Theatre. Ballet dancer Ángel Corella (1975) danced with ABT and has directed the Pennsylvania Ballet since 2014. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-9 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632285978778-CKJLECNM7ZRKA2H2BNPI/vera+zorina.jpg November 9 - November 9 Born Today: Kay Thompson Multi-talented performer Kay Thompson (1909-1998) is perhaps best known as the author of the Eloise series of children’s books, but she was also a vocal arranger for movie musicals as part of the legendary Freed Unit at MGM Studios during the 1940s and 1950s. In 1947 she left MGM to create a nightclub act that was wildly popular in Las Vegas and was lured back into musicals, this time as one of the lead actors in Funny Face (1957). Thompson danced with Fred Astaire (1899-1987) and Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) and Thompson’s performance in the Think Pink number sparkles. If only she could have been talked into doing more musicals because she is a rare treat. ------ Movie: Flower Drum Song released in 1961 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-14 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632514139908-FAGS53JBMR8GKFSH4N0R/vera+zorina.jpg November 14 - November 14 Born Today: Louise Brooks The very image of a 1920s flapper, Louise Brooks (1906-1985) is best known for her bobbed haircut and for starring in silent film Pandora’s Box (1929). However, her performing career began as a Denishawn dancer from 1922-1924, touring internationally with Ruth St. Denis (1879-1968) and Ted Shawn (1891-1972). Before her film career began, she also danced for George White’s Scandals (1924) and in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1925. Also Born Today: Composer Aaron Copeland (1900-1990) created Americana scores for early modern and ballet choreographers. Spanish Flamenco dancer Antonio Gades (1936-2004) co-founded and directed the Spanish National Ballet. ----- Movie: The Turning Point released in 1977 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-18 daily 0.75 2022-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632276034324-M05LXD60VIUVHMOTDYS8/vera+zorina.jpg October 18 - October 18 Born Today: Acia Gray Austin-based rhythm tap dancer, Acia Gray (1960-) studied both contemporary dance and tap, graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, but her career trajectory changed after studying with Charles “Honi” Coles (1911-1992) in 1989. She co-founded Tapestry dance company in Austin that same year and established the Soul 2 Sole Tap Dance Festival in 2001. Her book, The Souls of Your Feet – A Tap Dance Guide for Rhythm Explorers (2002) is a compendium of rhythm tap knowledge, terminology, and basic rhythm structures. ----- Movie: West Side Story released in 1961 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/october-25 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632276848055-TUJ7RQI0WUWKLHRN2FFQ/vera+zorina.jpg October 25 - October 25 Born Today: Chinna Satyam Revered Indian dancer, Chinna Satyam (1929-2012) systematized Kuchipudi technique and in 1963 founded the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Madras to preserve and teach the classical Indian dance technique. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer David Lichine (1910-1972), danced with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo from 1932-1941. He choreographed for a few Broadway shows and worked on Hollywood musicals, notably as a dance model for characters in Fantasia (1940), and he choreographed for Cyd Charisse (1922-2008) in The Unfinished Dance (1947). In 1953, he and his wife, ballerina Tatiana Riabouchinska (1917-2000), opened a ballet school in Los Angeles, where he taught for the rest of his life. ----- Broadway Premieres: Cabin in the Sky in 1940 and Victor/Victoria in 1995 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-28 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632515222884-63136ADAQSOAAVJ7NZOD/vera+zorina.jpg November 28 - November 28 Born Today: Alexander Godunov Ballet dancer Alexander Godunov (1949-1995) began his career at the Bolshoi Ballet as a peer of Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-), before defecting to the United States in 1979. He also starred in movies Witness (1985) and Die Hard (1988). Also Born Today: Composer and dancer Jean Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) who worked in the court of King Louis XIV (1638-1715), the French monarch who helped support the development of ballet as a performing art. ----- Dance Premiere: The first performance in 1836 of Bournonville’s revival of La Sylphide, originally choreographed by Filipo Taglioni (1777-1871) in 1832. The surviving Bournonville version is one of the oldest ballets. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-12 daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632400254670-SEGQT1R8C0L5BK27Q1AP/vera+zorina.jpg November 12 - November 12 Born Today: Bert Williams Bert Williams (1874-1922) and his vaudevillian partner George Walker popularized the cakewalk dance and moved away from performing in blackface at the beginning of the 1900s. Their landmark Broadway musical, In Dahomey (1903), was the first show written, directed and performed by an all-black cast. Interestingly, the partners starred in the show with their wives, singer Lottie Williams, and dancer Ida Overton Walker (1880-1914). Also Born Today: Dancer Mayte Garcia (1973-), who began performing belly dance at the age of three, performed with the Wiesbaden Ballet in Germany, and was married to the singer/dancer Prince for four years. ----- Broadway Premiere: Paint Your Wagon in 1951 and Grand Hotel in 1989. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-30 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632515405425-HYV8ZFB9Y6869ZM45UJN/vera+zorina.jpg November 30 - November 30 Born Today: Olivier Schoenfelder Ice dancer Olivier Schoenfelder (1977-) was inspired to skate after attending a performance by brother and sister team Isabelle Duchesnay (1963-) and Paul Duchesnay (1961-). His mother was a ballet teacher and he studied dance as a youngster before adding skating. Schoenfelder and his partner Isabelle Delobel (1978-) were paired in 1990 and went on to win first place in the 2007 European Championship, the 2008 World Championship and placed fourth in the 2005-2006 Olympics. Also Born Today: Ballerina Luciana Savignano (1943) studied at La Scala and the Bolshoi schools and later performed with La Scala and choreographer Maurice Béjart (1927-2007) created Leda and the Swan (1987) for her. She founded the Lombard Dance Company in 1998 along with choreographer Susanna Beltrami and since 2009 she has judged the Rai 2 Italian Academy talent show. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/november-29 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632515303395-CXCX8X48TVPF96Z1521K/vera+zorina.jpg November 29 - November 29 Born Today: Pearl Primus Dancer/anthropologist Pearl Primus (1919-1994) studied African and diasporic dance, presenting dance from the continent as worthy of celebration, reverence, and study. Her formal dance training began in 1941 with the New Dance Group and she debuted her own work in 1943. She was known as a powerhouse performer and a meticulous researcher. Also Born Today: Hollywood director Busby Berkeley (1895-1976), creator of the kaleidoscopic overhead shot in his lavish musicals during the 1930s-1950s, and Hinton Battle (1956-2024), who premiered on Broadway playing the Scarecrow in The Wiz (1975). His other productions include Sophisticated Ladies (1981), and The Tap Dance Kid (1985). ----- Broadway Premiere: The Gay Divorce in 1932 and Bells are Ringing in 1956 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-2 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517253963-1K71NGGFNHKTLNMUI5L2/vera+zorina.jpg December 2 - December 2 Born Today: Marc Platt Dancer Marc Platt (1913-2014) was also known as Marc Platoff when dancing with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, but he is perhaps best known as one of the dancing brothers in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). He also danced in Down to Earth (1947) with Rita Hayworth (1918-1987) - it’s the musical that inspired the remake - Xanadu (1980), and the original is worth seeing to admire the choreography of Jack Cole (1914-1958). Also Born Today: Lindy Hop dancer Norma Miller (1919-2019) began performing with Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers in 1934 and in the movie Hellzapoppin’ (1941) dancing in one of the most astonishing swing routines (if you can ignore the ridiculous costumes). Ballet dancer Philip Chatfield (1927-2021) performed with the Royal Ballet from 1943–1959 and retired from performing with his wife Rowena Jackson (1926-) and relocated to New Zealand, later directing the Royal New Zealand Ballet. And lastly, pop star and dancer Britney Spears (1981-) was born today. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-1 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632515632442-8DVEPC8UPKAUFCMV5ZI6/vera+zorina.jpg December 1 - December 1 Born Today: Alicia Markova Born Alicia Marks (1910-2004), British ballerina Alicia Markova added the ending to sound more Russian when she danced with the original Ballets Russes, a common practice to lend credibility to talented dancers not born in Russia. Later, she helped ballet become more established in her native England and it is said that her performance in Giselle gave people the Wilis. Ba dum bum...ting. I’ll be here all week. Also born today: French ballerina Violette Verdy (1933-2016), who danced primarily with NYCB for 20 years. ----- Broadway Premieres: Flower Drum Song in 1958 and Promises, Promises in 1968 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-7 daily 0.75 2024-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517732540-64XWQFXB95JD8LB0L684/vera+zorina.jpg https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-8 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517821471-YNIVCT9460MS0OQ0TR2R/vera+zorina.jpg December 8 - December 8 Born Today: Sammy Davis Jr. Tap dancer/entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990) was born into a vaudeville dance family and toured with his father, developing into an excellent tap dancer before becoming more well known as a member of The Rat Pack. Even so, he will always be the proper singer of The Candy Man. Also Born Today: Indian dancer Uday Shankar (1900-1977), who collaborated on several dances with Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) in the early 1920s. In 1948, Shankar choreographed and directed the movie Kalpana, an early, ground-breaking dance film. Broadway choreographer, Graciela Daniele (1939-) danced in multiple hit shows before creating dances for Ragtime (1998) and Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life (2005). --------------------- Movie: On the Town released in 1949 Broadway Premiere: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1949 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-6 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517612317-U9OOYG13FF4EAOEYU2ZW/vera+zorina.jpg December 6 - December 6 Born Today: Howard Jeffrey Howard Jeffrey (1934-1988) trained as a ballet dancer at Eugene Loring’s school in LA and performed with ABT and Ballet Alicia Alonso before becoming the chief assistant to Jerome Robbins (1919-1998) for West Side Story (Broadway show and movie). He moved on to film, assisting Hollywood dance film directors Herbert Ross (1927-2001) and Gene Kelly (1912-1996) and he was an associate producer for the ballet bio-pic Nijinsky (1980). Two tantalizing bits of information that beg for further research -- while working on Broadway, he choreographed a musical version of Georgy Girl (1970), which closed after only four performances, yet the two female leads were nominated for Tony Awards for their performances; and it looks like he choreographed the Oompa Loompas in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1971). Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Oleg Briansky (1929-2021) danced with Roland Petit (1924–2011) beginning in 1946 and with Festival Ballet in the early 1950s. A persistent knee injury led to the founding of the Briansky Saratoga Ballet Center summer school in 1965. Les Twins, Laurent and Larry Bourgeois (1988-), known as Lil Beast and Ca Blaze, are self-taught hip hop dancers that you need to see. Go look them up right now! ----- Movie: White Nights released in 1985 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-13 daily 0.75 2022-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632518171336-QXEO5U90A7X43V1FWDMZ/vera+zorina.jpg December 13 - December 13 Born Today: Dick Van Dyke Actor/dancer Dick Van Dyke (1925-) is a high school classmate of Hollywood musical star Donald O’Connor (1925-2003). Despite having no formal dance training, Van Dyke scored the lead in Bye Bye Birdie (1960), directed by choreographer Gower Champion (1919-1980), a role he reprised in the 1963 movie version. Perhaps his best-known dance role is in Mary Poppins (1964) as both Bert and Mr. Dawes, Sr. In Mary Poppins Returns (2018), he again played the part of one of the greedy Dawes clan, still spry at the age of 92. Also Born Today: Tap dancer Maurice Hines (1943-) is best known for starring with his younger brother, tap dancing legend Gregory Hines (1946-2003) in the film The Cotton Club (1984). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-10 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517958191-MQPGD57Y6E5UEYIZGLQQ/vera+zorina.jpg December 10 - December 10 Born Today: Hermes Pan Fred Astaire had a doppelgänger whom he called his "idea man"- Hermes Pan (1909-1990), a dancer/choreographer who resembled Astaire in face and build and he often acted as Astaire's rehearsal partner with Ginger Rogers. Pan - who should get an award for best name ever - and Astaire worked together for decades on 17 different films. Pan appeared as a dancer in multiple films, and choreographed many, many more, including Kiss Me Kate (1953), where he allowed a young dancer named Bob Fosse (1927-1987) to choreograph a minute-long duet that made him a superstar. ----- Broadway Premiere: Spring Awakening in 2006 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-31 daily 0.75 2025-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632520612517-X2W2N3UWO5HR3WFJ5SW2/vera+zorina.jpg December 31 - December 31 Born Today: Bebe Neuwirth Broadway dancer/actor Bebe Neuwirth (1958-) is perhaps best known for her role as the uptight Lillith in the sitcoms Cheers and Frasier, or as the aunt in the movie Jumanji (1995), but she has had a concurrent career on Broadway, appearing in Fosse shows such as Dancin’ (1978), Fosse (1999), and in multiple revivals of his work. In fact, it was seeing Pippin (1972) on Broadway that inspired her to be a dancer on Broadway rather than a ballerina. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Jean Schwarz (1884-1936) was he patriarch of a large French ballet family. Butoh dancer/choreographer Ushio Amagatsu (1949-2024) founded the performance group Sankai Juku, in 1975. Singer Park Jae-sang, AKA Psy (1977-) released the song Gangnam Style (2012) and performed the catchy “invisible horse dance” in the music video. ----- Movie: Babes on Broadway released in 1941 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-11 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632518026182-YR4GERZP6VVEBWCFEH57/vera+zorina.jpg December 11 - December 11 Born Today: Rita Moreno “Hey you guyyyyyyyyys!!” If you know the 1970s kid’s show The Electric Company, you know dancer/actor Rita Moreno (1931-) and that yell. She is one of the very few performers who has won a Grammy, a Tony, an Oscar and an Emmy and she starred in some of the best Hollywood musicals ever produced, including - Singin' in the Rain (1952), The King and I (1956), and West Side Story (1961) and (2021). Also Born Today: German modern dance pioneer and choreographer Harald Kreutzberg (1902-1968). Ballet dancer/choreographer Kenneth MacMillan (1929-1992) served as principal choreographer for The Royal Ballet for 15 years. Actor Teri Garr (c.1944-) trained in ballet and appeared in televised dance shows in the 1960s. Contemporary choreographer and rising star, Camille A. Brown (1979-), who combines text and popular dances from different eras in her socially-conscious work. ----- Movie: Pennies from Heaven released in 1981 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-3 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517377220-LQ4R9QK2BWSRH5VBDV8Q/vera+zorina.jpg December 3 - December 3 Born Today: Laura Dean The early work of postmodern choreographer Laura Dean (1945-) tended toward minimalist practices and featured spinning as a prominent movement motif in her dances. She collaborated with minimalist composer Steve Reich and has created work for the Royal Danish Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet. Dean stopped creating dances in 2001 and in 2008 she won a lifetime award from the American Dance Festival. ----- Broadway Premiere: Camelot in 1960 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-9 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517900086-UL8D0IX4YNV5PX8U1H3Y/vera+zorina.jpg December 9 - December 9 Born Today: Joseph Pilates Did you know that Joseph Pilates (1883-1967) earned his living as a professional boxer, circus performer and self-defense trainer for policemen? He developed his mat exercises while in an English internment camp during World War I and is responsible for our love of core abdominal strength. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Mikhail Mordkin (1880-1944) left his post as ballet master at the Bolshoi Ballet School to perform with the Ballets Russes in 1909 and eventually made his way to the United States. He helped pave the way for professional ballet companies to flourish in the US. Ukrainian dancer/choreographer Remziye Tarsinova (1926-2021) was also a ballet master. ----- Movie: Words and Music released in 1948 and A Chorus Line in 1985. Broadway Premiere: Swing! in 1999 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-16 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519140585-UX8J5PLIBAG97WH6KUAX/vera+zorina.jpg December 16 - December 16 Born Today: Andre Van Damme Belgian ballet dancer Andre Van Damme (1919-1989) performed with the Royal Opera House of Brussels and also served the underground resistance during WWII. Following the war he relocated to the United States and settled in West Virginia. In 1956, he founded the Charleston Ballet, now one of the oldest ballet companies in the United States, and he is the subject of an award-winning biographical documentary. ----- Movie: There’s No Business Like Show Business released in 1954, Hello Dolly released in 1969, and All That Jazz released in 1979 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-24 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519947100-6YPF1EAI45X66ZOY99VQ/vera+zorina.jpg December 24 - December 24 Born Today: Carol Haney Dancer/choreographer Carol Haney (1924-1964) died too soon, at age 39. But she packed a lot of performing into her short life, dancing with Jack Cole (1911-1974), assisting Gene Kelly (1912-1996) with choreography for several films before appearing with Bob Fosse (1927-1987) in Kiss Me Kate (1953) in the minute of choreography that jump-started his career. Haney joined Fosse in The Pajama Game (both the Broadway and movie versions) in the 1950s, dancing in the famous Steam Heat number. She again worked with director Kelly on Broadway, choreographing Flower Drum Song (1958) and staging Funny Girl (1964), starring Barbra Streisand, which ended up being Haney’s last show. Also Born Today: Choreographer and visionary Robert Joffrey (1930-1988) co-founded the Joffrey Ballet in 1954 and began merging his ballet and modern training into a style called contemporary ballet, which prevails today. ----- Movies: Rosalie released in 1937 and The Gang’s All Here released in 1943 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-23 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519870851-N1WJEACLD4XTN1IAZGGS/vera+zorina.jpg December 23 - December 23 Born Today: Buzz Miller Dancer Buzz Miller (1923-1999) was equally at home on Broadway and in Hollywood musicals. Following his service in WWII, he began studying ballet with teacher Mia Slavenska (1916-2002) at the age of 23 and began performing with Jack Cole (1911-1974). He danced in Fosse shows The Pajama Game (1954), Redhead (1960), and in Funny Girl (1964), staged by Carol Haney (1924-1964). Along with Haney, Miller reprised the Steam Heat dance in the movie version of The Pajama Game in 1957. Miller was a founding member of the project The American Dance Machine (1978), dedicated to reconstructing and preserving seminal Broadway dance numbers. Also Born Today: Early 20th century Broadway dancer Ann Pennington (1893-1971), performed in The Ziegfeld Follies and George White’s Scandals. Jose Greco (1918-2000) was perhaps the best known flamenco dancer of the 20th century. His company began touring internationally in 1949 and he appeared in a few films, including Around the World in 80 Days (1956). Dancer Debora Chase-Hicks (1957-2021) performed with both Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and was the rehearsal director at Philadanco for the remainder of her career. She was instrumental in preserving some of the work of choreographer Talley Beatty (1918–1995). ----- Movies: Guys and Dolls released in 1955 and Pina released in 2011 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-25 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632520025912-IB7L7KLOFBLJZGWOM5SI/vera+zorina.jpg December 25 - December 25 Born Today: Liz Lerman Choreographer Liz Lerman (1947-) was an early proponent of inclusive dance and her company, the Dance Exchange (1976-2011- Lerman’s tenure as Artistic Director), boasted a multi-generational roster of dancers of all abilities. Lerman’s Critical Response Process, developed to facilitate fruitful and respectful conversation about choreographic work in-progress, is a method utilized by practitioners all over the world to give constructive feedback to choreographers at any stage of their career. Also Born Today: Tap dancer Eddie Rector (c.1897-1962) specialized in soft shoe and dancing on a fine layer of sand. Russian ballerina Olga Moiseyeva (1928-2021) danced with the Kirov Ballet from the late 1940s until retiring from the stage to coach in 1973. She was also featured in the 2006 documentary Ballerina. ----- Broadway Premiere: Pal Joey in 1940 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-18 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519388102-P98YITO0K0RPNJU3JWSI/vera+zorina.jpg December 18 - December 18 Born Today: Betty Grable Hollywood musical star and WWII pin-up girl, Betty Grable (1916-1973) made nearly 45 films in the 1930s and 1940s. She was one of the original Goldwyn Girls, a group of performing female dancers inserted into MGM musicals, and the group included other rising stars such as Lucille Ball, Jane Wyman, and Paulette Goddard. Grable retired from making films in 1955 after starring in gems such as Mother Wore Tights (1947) and How to Marry a Millionaire (1953). She continued honing her dancing skills in Las Vegas shows and you can enjoy one of her last, remarkable appearances by searching - Steppin’ Out With My Baby - TV (1972), performed in her mid-50s. ----- Dance Premiere: Marius Petipa (1818-1910) and Lev Ivanov’s (1834-1901) original Nutcracker ballet premiered on December 18, 1892 at the Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-20 daily 0.75 2022-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519566198-8MEEG290T6KZVK8ECY9E/vera+zorina.jpg December 20 - December 20 Born Today: Suzanne Langer American philosopher Suzanne Langer (1895-1985) earned her degree from Harvard University at Radcliffe College for women and later taught at many universities including NYU, Vassar, and Smith College. Her groundbreaking book, Philosophy in a New Key (1942), considered the study of aesthetics as a way to understand how humans think. In her later books, Feeling and Form (1953) and Problems of Art (1957), she helped bring legitimacy to the philosophical study of dance, modern dance in particular, an expressive branch of the art form. Also Born Today: Dancer Valerie Bettis (1919-1982), who danced with modern choreographer Hanya Holm (1893-1992), performed on Broadway and choreographed dances for film star and dancer Rita Hayworth (1918-1987). ----- Broadway Premiere: Dreamgirls in 1981 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-22 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519777249-G7YO9UI4SFPIQ3AO1FUC/vera+zorina.jpg December 22 - December 22 Born Today: Talley Beatty Modern dancer/choreographer Talley Beatty (1918-1995) studied dance with Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) and performed on Broadway with her company in Cabin in the Sky (1940) and in the movie Stormy Weather (1943). Avant garde filmmaker Maya Deren (1917-1961) featured him in the groundbreaking short A Study in Choreography for Camera (1945), which you should watch right now. Most of his later career he worked as a solo dance act and he made over 50 dances for modern and ballet companies alike. Also Born Today: French ballet dancer Lucien Petipa (1815-1898) was the brother of choreographer Marius Petipa (1818-1910) and created the role of Albrecht in the first production of Giselle (1841). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-27 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632520215805-X5YCZAOGDG7MK08KGAO9/vera+zorina.jpg December 27 - December 27 Born Today: Tommy Rall Tommy Rall (1929-2020) remains one of the most underrated dancers on film. A highly versatile performer, Rall did it all - tap, ballet, Broadway, acrobatics, and later on, he was an operatic tenor. His performances in Kiss Me Kate (1953) and in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) were exceptional, yet he never got the big movie roles. However, he was enormously respected by the Hollywood dance community, and that's saying something. Also Born Today: French ballerina Marie-Madeleine Guimard (1743-1816) was the star of the Paris Opera for a quarter century during the reign of King Louis XVI, and she later married ballet dancer Jean-Étienne Despréaux (1748-1820). Celebrated teacher Bessie Schönberg (1906-1997) influenced modern dance students at Sarah Lawrence College until 1975. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-28 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632520299121-5C8LQNUC0Q3TNMN1CEKF/vera+zorina.jpg December 28 - December 28 Born Today: Robert Dunn Robert Dunn (1928-1996) studied tap dance as a child and music as a college student. He studied with musician John Cage in the late 1950s and played music for Merce Cunningham’s dance classes beginning in 1958. Dunn led a series of choreography classes from 1960-1962 that inspired the creation of postmodern dance collective, Judson Dance Theatre. Dunn combined his work with Cage and Merce Cunningham (1919-2009) into compelling choreographic approaches that appealed to young choreographers Trisha Brown (1936-2017), Yvonne Rainer (1934-), David Gordon (1936-), and Steve Paxton (1939-), and revolutionized the art of dance. He went on to teach choreography at Columbia College and at the University of Maryland at College Park. ----- Broadway Premiere: On the Town in 1944 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-5 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517516614-EV3SB0X94WWL2DHYS7RI/vera+zorina.jpg December 5 - December 5 Born Today: Baayork Lee Dancer Baayork Lee (1946-) premiered on Broadway in the original version of The King and I (1951) as one of the featured young princesses and went on to appear in Flower Drum Song (1958) and Promises, Promises (1968) before originating the autobiographical role of Connie in A Chorus Line (1975), choreographed by her high school friend, Michael Bennett (1943-1987). Lee continued to assist Bennett for his productions and she has been instrumental in revivals of the show on Broadway and for international productions. ----- Movie: Til the Clouds Roll By released in 1946 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-19 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519486786-UEK6K2UAC89PT22W7569/vera+zorina.jpg December 19 - December 19 Born Today: Reiko Sato Dancer Reiko Sato (1931-1981) danced with Jack Cole (1911-1974) and appeared in a featured role in Kismet in both the Broadway and Hollywood versions during the 1950s. In Flower Drum Song (1961), she appeared opposite James Shigeta (who was a pretty good dancer himself) in a seven minute dream ballet sequence and it is the role for which she is best known. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-21 daily 0.75 2022-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519719511-UFWUIK2SX22SHIARU3F2/vera+zorina.jpg December 21 - December 21 Born Today: Jawole Willa Jo Zollar Dancer/choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar (1950-) is the founder of Urban Bush Women (1984), a dance/theatre collective celebrating black female voices and experiences. Zollar studied Afro-Cuban dance as a youth and graduated from Florida State University with an MFA in Dance. Her movement style is steeped in the combination of modern dance, African dance, and social dance styles. Her socially-conscious pieces, like Hair Stories (2001) are presented using movement, autobiographical storytelling, music, and vocalization. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer André Eglevsky (1917-1977) performed with both Ballets Russes companies in the 1930s and 1940s. Cuban ballet dancer and founder of the National Ballet of Cuba, Alicia Alonso (1921-2019) struggled with vision problems her entire life, but was able to perform with the help of sensitive partners. Choreographer George Faison (1945-) is best known for The Wiz (1975), a re-telling of The Wizard of Oz, made into a film in 1983. Ballerina Paloma Herrera (1975-) danced with ABT for 24 years. ----- Broadway Premiere: Billion Dollar Baby in 1945 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-26 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632520105582-BCNLXG63KUEPDIJ9KV5P/vera+zorina.jpg December 26 - December 26 Born Today: Bob Avian Dancer/choreographer Bob Avian (1937-2021) performed in Broadway musicals such as Funny Girl (1964) before connecting with dancer/choreographer Michael Bennett (1943-1987). Avian assisted Bennett in Promises, Promises (1968) and Company (1970) and co-choreographed A Chorus Line (1975). Also Born Today: Ballerina Althea Sealy (1960-) is the Artistic Director of the Belize National Dance Company. ----- Dance Premiere: Don Quixote, based on the early novel by Miguel de Cervantes, premiered in 1869 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Movie: Golddiggers of 1937 released in 1936 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-12 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632518100468-MAUI6QTUJ2FOQ6MPKRVO/vera+zorina.jpg December 12 - December 12 Born Today: Lynn Garafola Dance historian and writer Lynn Garafola (1946-) is a foremost expert on the Ballets Russes (1909-1929), the groundbreaking ballet company and artistic collaboration directed by impresario Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929). Garafola studied ballet as a youth and her dissertation became her first book, Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes (1989). She retired from her post in the dance program at Barnard College in 2016. Also Born Today: German choreographer Dore Hoyer (1911-1967) was a practitioner of Ausdruckstanz, or expressive dance. British tap dancer and television personality Lionel Blair (1931-) began performing at the age of 13 after the untimely death of his father. ----- Movie: Saturday Night Fever released in 1977 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-4 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632517442105-SINWK76KZUI5CIVOU7Y9/vera+zorina.jpg December 4 - December 4 Born Today: Rod Rodgers Dancer Rod Rodgers (1938-2002) grew up in Detroit and studied jazz and tap dance as a youth. In 1962 he moved to New York City and studied modern dance with Hanya Holm (1893-1992) and performed with Erick Hawkins (1909-1994). Rodgers founded his own dance company in 1966 and his best known work is the suite RHYTHMDANCES (1967), in which his dancers also created music with handheld percussion instruments. Rodgers often made work that was a commentary on the Black experience and his repertory can be seen in companies such as Philadanco, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and his own company, which survived him. Throughout his career he advocated for artists of color - he was one of the founders of the Association of Black Choreographers, and he submitted the blistering “Don’t Tell Me Who I Am” chapter in The Vision of Modern Dance (1979) choreographer essay compilation. ----- Movies: Good News released in 1947 and Million Dollar Mermaid released in 1952 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-17 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519304271-RZDR9E78A5720W8UW136/vera+zorina.jpg December 17 - December 17 Born Today: Fernando Alonso Cuban ballet dancer Fernando Alonso (1914-2013) was married to ballerina Alicia Alonso (1920-2019). They both danced with American Ballet Theatre (ABT) from 1940-1948 before returning to Cuba and founding the Cuban National Ballet in 1955. Although they parted ways in the mid-1970s, Fernando Alonso continued to run the Ballet de Camagüey until 1992. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-14 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632518238181-ZIC79MA7P3DF7VGLCI9L/vera+zorina.jpg December 14 - December 14 Born Today: Dan Dailey Film star Dan Dailey (1915-1978) (on the far right) got his start on Broadway in the original production of Babes in Arms (1937), a show that also featured tap duo The Nicholas Brothers. Dailey moved to Hollywood and began making movies in the 1940s, starring in Mother Wore Tights (1947) with Betty Grable (1916-1973), There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) with Donald O’Connor (1925-2003), and It’s Always Fair Weather (1955) alongside Gene Kelly (1912-1996) and Michael Kidd (1915-2007). Also Born Today: Choreographer June Taylor (1917-2004), famous for the all-female troupe, The June Taylor Dancers, worked with Jackie Gleason on many iterations of his television comedy/variety shows. Ballerina Charlene Gehm MacDougal (1951-2021) danced lead roles with the Joffrey Ballet from 1976–1991, and on Broadway in a revival of West Side Story, and in the original Phantom of the Opera (1988). https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-15 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632519068420-SQ32O4HV0US8C4NO1UT4/vera+zorina.jpg December 15 - December 15 Born Today: Rudolf von Laban Movement theorist Rudolf von Laban (1879-1958) created Labanotation, a symbolic language that helps document dances, and he also created a language framework for categorizing movement that is studied at Laban centers around the world. Amidst these remarkable accomplishments, Laban also choreographed “movement choirs,” which were often performed outside. The performers consisted of both trained and untrained dancers moving together as a group. There are tantalizingly few photos of the events and scant film resources. Do you think they looked anything like today’s flash mobs? Also Born Today: British ballerina Mary Skeaping (1902-1984) was the ballet master for the Royal Swedish Ballet in the 1950s. Canadian contemporary choreographer Crystal Pite (1970-) danced with American William Forsythe (1949-) at Ballet Frankfurt before founding her own company, Kidd Pivot, in 2002. https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-29 daily 0.75 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632520375747-TA4MFKRS852BE4NAFCW4/vera+zorina.jpg December 29 - December 29 Born Today: Gelsey Kirkland Ballerina with the NYCB, Gelsey Kirkland (1952-) joined the company at the age of 15 and soon danced lead roles with Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-) and others. Kirkland’s memoir, Dancing on My Grave (1986) chronicled her meteoric rise in the dance world, and the pressures and struggles that prompted her to leave the company. Her sister, Johnna Kirkland (1950-), pictured left, also danced with NYCB and retired from dancing in 1983. ----- Movie: Flying Down to Rio released in 1933 https://www.dawndavisloring.com/december-30 daily 0.75 2022-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e6be866b052cf6db25ab99a/1632520534342-XL64LG1G2NMWF8H6YQGU/vera+zorina.jpg December 30 - December 30 Born Today: Russ Tamblyn Russ Tamblyn (1934-) is probably best known for his role in West Side Story (1961) and now as the father of Amber Tamblyn (1983-), but his best role was youngest brother Gideon Pontipee in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), jumping over the axe handle. Also Born Today: Ballet dancer Nikolai Legat (1869-1937), who performed with the Russian Imperial Ballet from 1888 to 1914. Both he and his younger brother, Sergei Legat (1875-1905) became ballet masters. Postmodern choreographer Kei Takei (1946-) created a series of pieces called Light. American dancer/choreographer William Forsythe (1949-) creates works pairing dance and visual arts with Ballet Frankfurt and his own company. 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