Lindsay Kemp, performer and Bowie mentor, dies at 80 – BBC News
Kate Bush has paid tribute to ground-breaking dancer, mime artist and choreographer Lindsay Kemp, who has died aged 80. She described Kemp – who taught her to dance – as … Continue reading
The History Girls: Tamara Karsavina: Stravinsky’s First Firebird by Janie Hampton
This is the story of a British diplomat and a Russian prima ballerina caught up in the October 1917 Russian revolution, and their dramatic escape with their love-child. In old age, relatives … Continue reading
She was absolutely beautiful, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen… | BEGUILING HOLLYWOOD
Myrna Loy grew up in Los Angeles and when she was a teenager she posed for this statue outside the old Venice High School. Around the same age, she was … Continue reading
On this day: a choreographer and his muse. | In Times Gone By…
This is the edition of LIFE Magazine for the 23rd of August, 1965. The cover features choreographer George Balanchine, who was born into a Georgian family in Saint Petersburg before moving to … Continue reading
Isadora Duncan | Sheroes of History
During a time when those in power were clinging to rigidity in all aspects of public and private domains, Isadora Duncan scoffed at tradition and made the world take notice. … Continue reading
May 29, 1913: Ill-Mannered Factions? In Paris? – Wretched Richard’s Almanac
On the evening of May 29, 1913, the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, the newest venue in Paris, open for just over a month, was packed. According to a newspaper report: “Never. … Continue reading
The Opera of Paris: We Also Procure Our Ballerinas to Wealthy Men | Victorian Paris
The title of this post is not an exaggeration, although the Opera directors would have preferred a more subtle one or, ideally, a complete silence on the subject. The Béraud’s … Continue reading
Archive Exhibition Review • LAURA KNIGHT AT THE THEATRE • The Lowry Galleries • 2008
Although these two exhibitions must be appreciated independently (and indeed I think, frankly, there would seem to be no advantage in being considered together), there is a little fun to … Continue reading
Isadora Duncan | Madeleine Emerald Thiele
“I have the right to choose the father of my own children,” Isadora Duncan declared. She then wrote to George Bernard Shaw, asking him ‘Will you be the father of my … Continue reading
A dance with Gene Kelly | pilar221b
Celebrating Gene Kelly’s 104th birthday. I didn’t want to move or act like a rich man. I wanted to dance in a pair of jeans. I wanted to dance like the … Continue reading
Beautiful Moira Shearer Dancing in The Red Shoes (1948) | FROM THE BYGONE
The Red Shoes is a 1948 British film about a ballet dancer, written, directed and produced by the team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, known collectively as The Archers. … Continue reading
May 29, 1913: Ill-Mannered Factions? In Paris? | Wretched Richard’s Almanac
On the evening of May 29, 1913, the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, the newest venue in Paris, open for just over a month, was packed. According to a newspaper report: “Never. … Continue reading
Happy Birthday Fred Astaire! For I’ll be there. Puttin’ down my top hat. Mussin’ up my white tie. Dancin’ in my tails…
I just put my feet in the air and move them around. Fred Astaire Source: Happy Birthday Fred Astaire! For I’ll be there. Puttin’ down my top hat. Mussin’ up … Continue reading
Happy 144th Birthday Sergei Diaghilev
Today is the 144th birthday of the ballet dancer and founder of Ballets Russes, Sergei Diaghilev. To be able to see those performances in the 1920s Paris with collaborations between … Continue reading
Ballet Russes, The Firebird, Expressionist | kinneretstern
Valentina Blinova in L’Oiseau de feu [The Firebird], Ballets Russes, Sydney, 1936-1937 From the State Library of New South Wales. Source: Ballet Russes, The Firebird, Expressionist | kinneretstern
On this day: Ballet in 1937
Originally posted on In Times Gone By…:
Danish ballerina Hélène Kirsova in Petrouchka at the Theatre Royal. Australia, 11th January 1937. Kirsova created Australia’s first professional ballet company. Source
How Marcel Marceau Started Miming to Save Children from the Holocaust | Open Culture
Earlier this month, we featured Marcel Marceau, surely the most famous mime ever to live, performing the progression of human life, from birth to death, in four minutes. In the … Continue reading
December 15th: The Nutcracker scenery by Konstantin Ivanov | A Scholarly Skater
Above and below are scenic sketches for the first-ever production of the now-classic ballet The Nutcracker, which was originally staged in 1892 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. … Continue reading
“Either the camera will dance, or I will.” Fred Astaire | BEGUILING HOLLYWOOD
“Either the camera will dance, or I will.” Fred Astaire | BEGUILING HOLLYWOOD.
1890: Victorian burlesque dancers and their elaborate costumes
Burlesque originated in 17th century Italian theater as a type of comic interlude. The word derives from the Italian “burla,” a joke, ridicule or mockery. Burlesque can be applied to … Continue reading
Help Bring Mia To Croatian Homeland Audiences and Worldwide
Croatia, the War, and the Future Mia Slavenska – A Dancer’s Journey It’s an honour and a privilege to pass this message onto you from Mia Slavenska Dance Preservation Newsletter: … Continue reading
FRENCH STAGE ACTRESS AND DANCER MLLE DERMINY: PRETTY WOMAN WITH ANTENNAS (REAL PHOTO POSTCARD)
Originally posted on THE CABINET CARD GALLERY:
This vintage real photo postcard features a portrait of French stage actress and dancer Mlle. Derminy. I am unsure of her first name…
On this day: Ballerina Pierina Legnani in 1891
Originally posted on In Times Gone By…:
Italian ballerina Pierina Legnani photographed in London on the 15th of September, 1891, fifteen days before her twenty-eighth birthday. Legnani was born and…
Leïla Bederkhan – Kurdish Modern Dancer
Originally posted on FROM THE BYGONE:
Leyla Bedirhan (1903-1986) was born in Istanbul. She was the daughter of a kurdish Prince and his Polish wife. She studied ballet in Germany.…
Alicia Markova – Prima Ballerina Assoluta
Originally posted on FROM THE BYGONE:
Dame Alicia Markova DBE (1910 – 2004) was an English ballerina and a choreographer, director and teacher of classical ballet. Most noted for her…
Happy 119th Birthday Léonide Massine
Originally posted on waldina:
Today is the 119th birthday of the Russian dancer/choreographer Léonide Massine. NAME: Léonide Massine OCCUPATION: Ballet Dancer, Choreographer BIRTH DATE: August 09, 1896 DEATH DATE: March 15,…
AMELIA GLOVER: FAMOUS SKIRT DANCER (CABINET CARD PORTRAIT BY SARONY)
Originally posted on THE CABINET CARD GALLERY:
This cabinet card portrait features celebrated skirt dancer Amelia Glover. The photograph was taken by the well known New York theatrical photographer, Napoleon…
The Ghost of the Rose
Originally posted on The Genealogy of Style:
“Soulève ta paupière close Qu’effleure un songe virginal ; Je suis le spectre d’une rose Que tu portais hier au bal. Tu me…
On this day: the premiere of Giselle in 1841
Originally posted on In Times Gone By…:
Carlotta Grisi as Giselle the year after the premiere The Paris Opera Ballet (then the Ballet du Théâtre de l’Académie Royale de Musique)…
On this day: Dame Adeline Genée in 1916
Originally posted on In Times Gone By…:
Danish/British ballerina Dame Adeline Genée photographed on the 20th of June, 1916. Source
Rogues & Vagabonds 