March 8 is International Women’s Day. Today, we recognize all the incredible contributions women have made to society—and acknowledge the persistent discrimination that women have overcome and continue to overcome. Dance Spirit is here to highlight just a few of the amazing women throughout history who changed the course of dance forever through their creativity, […]
Calling all dance history enthusiasts: the AILEY documentary opens today in movie theaters nationwide. Directed by Jamila Wignot, the work is a moving biography of the legendary choreographer, dancer, director, and activist Alvin Ailey. Here are just a few reasons why we can’t wait to watch it. #1 The doc enables us to explore Ailey’s […]
Throughout history, trailblazing Black dancers pushed dance and choreography into the future, and broke countless barriers in their pursuit of artistry. Yet Black dancers and creators are often omitted from dance history curricula. To celebrate Black History Month—and to help you widen your window into dance history—Dance Spirit compiled an (incomplete!) list of some of […]
Most full-length classical ballets feature several character dances—troupes of dancing peasants, parades of visiting princesses. Today, those dances are often seen as “filler,” interludes to give the principals a breather between classical variations. But back in the 19th century, when many of these ballets premiered, character dances had deep cultural significance. Ballerinas, equally versed in […]
You’ve got your mother’s eyes, your smile is just like your dad’s, and it’s uncanny how much you look like photos of that great-great aunt you’ve never met. But where did you get your distinctive port de bras from? What are the origins of your signature tap sound? Chances are, your technique and style can […]
The dance world is brimming with superstitions. One of the most common is never to say “good luck” before a show, since everyone knows uttering the phrase is, in fact, very bad luck. Actors say “break a leg” instead. But since that phrase isn’t exactly dance-friendly, you and your dance friends probably tell each other […]
Dance history can sometimes be a hard sell, since part of what makes dance so thrilling is that it’s all about being in the moment. But Joy-Marie Thompson, a junior dance major at SUNY Purchase College, has found a beautiful, compelling way to bring dance’s past into the present: In a new exhibit called Interpretations, […]
Shirley Temple—the child movie star of the 1930s, who, essentially, made dimples and golden ringlets a thing—passed away Monday night at the age of 85. This is big news considering the huge (and super cute!) contribution she made to the dance world. When you were just a wee tapper, did you do your first routine […]