Famous Russian Dancers

Anna Pavlova (1881-1931)




Anna Pavlova dances in the 1920s





Famous Russian ballerina Nadezhda Pavlova dances in 1973

Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990)

Sammy Davis Jr (1925-1990) taps to drummers Buddy Rich (1917-1987) & Gene Kruppa (1909-1973) - Dance & Drums





Fashinating Rhythm ... recorded in 1955







Sammy Davis with some FANTASTIC dancers at the Apollo Theater!

Gracie Allen (1895-1964)

George Burns (1896-1996), Gracie Allen & Fred Astaire (1899-1987) in A Damsel In Distress (1937): Stiff Upper Lip







What fun!

Ruby Keeler (1909–1993)

Another famous hoofer was Ruby Keeler (1909-1993)

Marilyn Miller (1898–1936)

Miller was one of the most popular entertainers on broadway. She died at an early age (37) from complications following surgery on her nasal passages.






Here's her famous Russian dance from 1929!

Ginger Rogers

Ginger Rogers is such a lady!

Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers play the famous pre-World War I dancing couple Vernon & Irene Castle. Apparently, Mrs. Castle was on the set to help make the dancing as accurate as possible!





This clip shows how Vern & Irene Castle played to sell out crowds and influenced the USA, North America, and Europe!




This clip is from Barkleys of Broadway

Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor

Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor in Moses Supposes were a hit with my daughters, especially when learning phonics!








Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor in Fit As A Fiddle

More Dance Quotes!

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Dance like no one is watching.

Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt and
live like it's heaven on earth.

Mark Twain (1835-1910)
American writer

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Dancers are the athletes of God.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)


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Dancing is the poetry of the foot.
John Dryden (1632-1700), poet



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There was a star danced, and under that was I born.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Playwright
Much Ado About Nothing


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To sing well and to dance is to be well educated.
Plato (c. 427 BC – c. 347 BC)
influential teacher, writer


~~~~~~~~~~


Dancing is silent poetry.
Simonides of Ceos (c.556-468 BC)
Greek poet


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Fine dancing, I believe like virtue,
must be its own reward. Those who
are standing by are usually thinking
of something very different.
Jane Austen (1775-1817)
English novelist


~~~~~~~~~~


How can we know the dancer from the dance?
William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)
Irish poet/dramatist


~~~~~~~~~~


On with the dance! let joy be unconfined;
No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet
To chase the glowing hours with flying feet.
George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824)
English poet
Childe Harold's Pilgrimage


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Come and trip it as ye go, On the light fantastic toe.
John Milton (1608-1674), English Author
L'Allegro (l. 33)


~~~~~~~~~~



Merrily, merrily whirled the wheels of the dizzying dances
Under the orchard-trees and down the path to the meadows;
Old fold and young together, and children mingled among them.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
American Poet
Evangeline (pt. I, IV)


~~~~~~~~~~


To those of us with real understanding,
dancing is only the pure form of art.
Charles Schultz, (1922-2000)
Peanuts, Snoopy speaking



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Quotes on Dance!

Dancers on Dance

I'd rather dance than eat.

A tap dancer is really
a frustrated drummer.

What we are is God's gift to us.
What we become is our gift to God.

Eleanor Powell
(1912-1982)
The Queen of Tap Dance



~~~~~~~~~~

What success I achieved in the theater is

due to the fact that I have always worked
just as hard when there were ten people in
the house as when there were thousands.
Just as hard in Springfield, Illinois as on Broadway.

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
(1878-1949)
American Dancer/Actor


~~~~~~~~~~



Dancing is a sweat job.


I have no desire to prove anything by dancing.
I have never used it as an outlet or a means of expressing myself.
I just dance. I just put my feet in the air and move them around.


The hardest job kids face today is learning
good manners without seeing any.


I'm just a hoofer with
a spare set of tails.

Fred Astaire
(1892-1987)
American Dancer/Actor


~~~~~~~~~~


My mother told me I was
dancing before I was born.
She could feel my toes tapping
wildly inside her for months.

Ginger Rogers (1911-1995)

American Dancer/Actress


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Remember, Ginger Rogers did everyting
that Fred Astaire did, except she
did it backwards and in high heels.

~ attributed to Faith Whittlesey

former US ambassador to Switzerland


~~~~~~~~~~

Fred [Astaire] was a perfectionist. At
rehearsal when you thought you'd got
it perfect he would say, "Go on, Annie,
just one more time!" What I wouldn't
give to do it just one more time.

Ann Miller (1923-2004)
American Dancer/Actress


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I never wanted to be a dancer.

It's true!
I wanted to be a
shortstop for the Pittsburg Pirates.

Gene Kelly (1912-1996)
American Dancer/Actor


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I do not try to dance better than anyone else.
I only try to dance better than myself.

Mihkail Baryshnikov (1948-?)



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Master technique and then forget about it and be natural.

Anna Pavlova (1881-1931)
Classical Ballerina


~~~~~~~~~~


Toe dancing is a dandy attention getter,
second only to screaming.

Agnes de Mille (1905–1993)
choreographer/dancer


~~~~~~~~~~


The body says what words cannot.

Martha Graham (1894-1994)
US dancer, choreographer


~~~~~~~~~~

There are likewise three kinds of dancers:
first, those who consider dancing as a sort
of gymanstic drill, made up of impersonal
and graceful arabesques;
second, those who, by concentraing their
minds, lead the body into the rhythm of
a desired emotion, expressing a remembered
feeling or experience.

And finally, there are those who convert
the body into a luminous fluidity, surrendering
it to the inspiration of the soul.

Isadora Duncan (1877-1927), Dancer


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Dancing is just discovery, discovery, discovery.

Martha Graham (1894-1994)
US dancer, choreographer


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The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word.

Mata Hari (1876-1917)

dancer, World War I spy/double agent/espionage


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Eleanor Powell: Queen of Dance!

Eleanor Powell is the best dancer ever—even her contemporaries agreed!


Watch her classic West Point Cadet Routine! Brilliant! Absolutely Brilliant!







She's brilliant performing Fascinatin' Rhythm by George and Ira Gershwin!






Eleanor Powell and Buddy Rich team up for one outstanding performance in the movie Ship Ahoy






Eleanor Powell & Fred Astair perform brilliantly to Cole Porter's Begin the Beguine (1940)

Dance Sayings

The first step in every dance is a smile.


Fear not mistakes
We just call them variations.


To dance or not to dance ... what a STUPID question !


Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.


God gave you toes so pointe them !


You can only perform as well as you do in practice.


You cannot make a pointe if you do not understand the details.


When in doubt ... dance!


You wouldn't understand, it's a dance thing.


When the going gets tough, the tough go dancing!


Dance is not an answer. Dance is a question.
"Yes!" is the answer.



Dancers turn out better.


Discover the pointe ... dance !


You have never seen a real workout
until you have seen a dancer practice.


If you say you can you can,
but if you say you can't you're right!


You know you're dancing when tears of pain
and happiness blend in with your sweat.


Dance is life, everything else is just details.


Ballerinas always have a POINTE !


Dancers: Football players with talent.


If dance were easy it would be called football.


Football isn't a contact sport; it's a collision sport.
Dancing is a contact sport.
— Vince Lombardi


Been there ... danced that ...


It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer.


It's not sweat, it's glow.


Only the wise can dance the rhythm of life.


Just shut up and dance!


Dancing with the feet is one thing,
but dancing with the heart is another.


Socrates learned to dance when he was 70 because he
felt that an essential part of himself had been neglected.


It has been said that Winston Churchill
was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.


Dance isn't just about fancy footwork.
It requires grace, discipline, and major muscles.

1. Beginning dancer. Knows nothing.
2. Intermediate dancer. Knows everything. Too good to dance with beginners.
3. Advanced dancer. Dances everything, especially with beginners.

You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart.


The ballet toe shoe is one of the few instruments
of torture to survive intact into our time.


It's not the turning that is hard in pirouettes,
it's that you gotta keep on doin' it!


To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Let them praise His name in the dance:
let them sing praises unto Him with the tamborine and harp.
— Psalm 149:3 KJV


Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing:
Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
Psalm 30:11 KJV

What we are is God's gift to us.
What we become is our gift to God.
Eleanor Powell
(1912-1982)
The Queen of Tap Dance

You know you are a dancer when ...

• you would rather dance than eat

• instead of walking down a hallway you dance

• you practice grand leaps in parking lots
  

• when doing school work your feet

• are silently practicing a new routine

• a new dance outfit makes your whole day
  

• you cannot sit still when you hear music

• you find you are doing foot movements when talking to others

• you light up when someone mentions dance

• while waiting in line or shopping you tap, shuffle, turn

• others hear noise coming from your feet

• you stretch while watching TV

• you point your toes even while doing sit ups

• you have more blisters than toes on your feet

• every floor is space for practicing

• you have difficulty counting past 8

• when asked to do sit-ups, you respond with "no problem"

• you have boxes filled with old costumes and practice clothing

• when you write dancing first when asked for your hobbies

• while listening to music, you choreograph a routine in your head

• you rate music for its ability to make a good tap, ballet, toe, lyrical, or jazz routine

• you spot mistakes in dance routines

• you become very excited when you see a dancer perform a difficult routine with seeming ease and grace

Fear not mistakes
We just call them variations.

Dance and the Bible

I. Kinds of dance ...

Joyful ... Psalm 30:11
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing:
Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

Evil ... Exodus 32:19
And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.



II. Dance designed to ...


Show seasons ... Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;


To give praise ... Psalm 149:3
Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the tamborine and harp


Express joy in victory ... 1 Samuel 18:6,7
And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.


Greet a returning son ... Luke 15:23-25
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. (Jesus)


Rejoice in the Lord ... 2 Samuel 6:14-16
And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

Inflame lust ... Matthew 14:6
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.



III. Dance performed by ...


Children ... Matthew 11:16, 17
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. (Jesus)


Women ... Judges 11:34
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.


David ... 2 Samuel 6:14,16
And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.


Worshippers ... Psalm 149:3
Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.




Easton Bible Dictionary
Dance — found in Judges 21:21, 23; Psalms 30:11; 149:3; 150:4; Jeremiah 31:4, 13, etc., as the translation of hul, which points to the whirling motion of Oriental sacred dances. It is the rendering of a word (rakad') which means to skip or leap for joy, in Ecclestiases 3:4; Job 21:11; Isaiah 13:21, etc.

In the New Testament it is in like manner the translation of different Greek words, circular motion (Luke 15:25); leaping up and down in concert (Matthew 11:17), and by a single person (Matthew 14:6).

It is spoken of as symbolical of rejoicing (Ecclestias 3:4. Comp. Psalm 30:11; Matthew 11: 17). The Hebrews had their sacred dances expressive of joy and thanksgiving, when the performers were usually females (Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 18:6).

The ancient dance was very different from that common among Western nations. It was usually the part of the women only (Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; comp. 5:1). Hence the peculiarity of David's conduct in dancing before the ark of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14). The women took part in it with their timbrels. Michal should, in accordance with the example of Miriam and others, have herself led the female choir, instead of keeping aloof on the occasion and "looking through the window." David led the choir "uncovered", i.e., wearing only the ephod or linen tunic. He thought only of the honour of God, and forgot himself.

From being reserved for occasions of religious worship and festivity, it came gradually to be practised in common life on occasions of rejoicing (Jeremiah 31:4). The sexes among the Jews always danced separately. The daughter of Herodias danced alone (Matthew 14:6).

Dancing is the poetry of the foot.
— John Dryden (1632-1700), poet

Dance Jokes

Our dance teacher taught us a new dance called the Politician. All you have to do is take three steps forward, two steps backward, then side-step side-step and turn around.


He was a great dancer except for two problems ... his feet!!!


Question: How many dance instructors does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: Five ! ... Six ! ... Seven ! ... Eight !


Q: How do you make a tissue dance?
A: Put a little boogie in it!


Q: Why wouldn't they let the butterfly into the dance?
A: Because it was a moth ball.


Q: How do hens dance?
A: Chick-to-chick (cheek)


Q: Which dance will a chicken not do ?
A: The foxtrot !


Q: What animals are poor dancers?
A: Four legged ones because they have two left feet.


Q: What did the ballerina do when she hurt her foot?
A: She called a toe truck!


Q: What kind of dance do rabbits like best?
A: Hip HOP !


Q: Which of Santa's reindeer is our favorite?
A: Dancer


Q: What dance did the Pilgrims do?
A: The Plymouth Rock.


Q: What do cows like to dance to?
A: Any kind of moosic you like!


Q: Where do penguins go to dance?
A: At the snow ball.


Q: What's the snake’s favourite dance?
A: The Mamba!


Q: What do cars do at a disco?
A: Brake dance.


Q: Why did the two knives go to the dance together?
A: Because they both looked sharp!


Q: What do ghosts dance to?
A: Soul music.


Q: What is a duck's favorite dance ?
A: The quackstep !


Q: What happened to the blonde tap dancer?
A: She slipped and fell down the drain.


Q: Why did the little kid dance on the jar of jam?
A: Because the jar top said, "Twist to open."


Q: Where do dancers go for breakfast?
A: I-Hop


Q: How do they dance in Arabia?
A: Sheik-to-sheik (cheek)


Q: What do you have when only one line dancer comes to the party?
A: A one liner.


Q: What do baby swans dance to ?
A: Cygnet-ure-tunes !


Q: What kind of dance do buns do?
A: A-bun-dance (abundance).


Q: What is a frog's favorite dance?
A: The Lindy Hop.

Come and trip it as ye go,
On the light fantastic toe.
— John Milton (1608-1674), English Author
L'Allegro (l. 33)

Dance Definition:

verb

1. skip, leap, or move up and down or sideways
2. move in a graceful and rhythmical way
3. move in a pattern; usually to musical accompaniment; do or perform a dance

noun

1. an artistic form of nonverbal communication
2. a social gathering at which people dance.
3. taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

Dance Phrases

dance attendance on = try hard to please
dance to someone’s tune = comply with someone’s demands
lead someone a merry dance (Brit.) = cause someone a great deal of trouble


Word Origin

c.1300, from O.Fr. dancier, perhaps from Frankish. A word of uncertain origin but which, through French influence in arts and society, has become the primary word for this activity from Spain to Russia.

To sing well and to dance is to be well educated.
— Plato (c. 427 BC – c. 347 BC)
influential teacher, writer

Proper Attire

For the benefit of all, it is important for students to be on time and properly dressed for dance class.

• Arrive early and be on time!
• Street clothing is not acceptable!
• Do not encourage fancy clothing or jewelry.
• Long hair must be pulled back!

All pre toe, toe, and lyrical classes should be required to wear leotard and tights with dance skirts or dance dresses. No other type of clothing will be permitted in these classes! These dance wear items are readily available at many stores.



The Importance of Proper Fit

For the health and safety of your child, the importance of fit cannot be emphasized enough. There is nothing worse than having dance attire that is not fitted properly for your child. Ill-fitting clothing and shoes distracts from your student's concentration and may harm self-esteem.

Dancers are the athletes of God.
— Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

How to Select a Dance Studio

Scary dance studio horror stories abound that deal with bad teachers, mangled feet, poor body image, and more. Look for a dance studio that strives to treat dancers and their families with respect and by the Golden Rule.


The Basics

Explore the various dance studios in your area. Be aware of cost, distance from your home, style(s) of dance, costume selection, shoe/costume fit, and more with your family.

• Are classes taught in a sequential manner?
• Is the dance material age appropriate?
• Are the children dressed too old and mature for their years?
• Does the studio have guest artists or performers that offer a new manner of exploring dance?
• Is the flooring of the dance studio you are considering conducive to dance?
• Is the flooring resilient? If the floor is not resilient, the constant movement on the floor can cause back pain.
• Is the music appropriate?
• Is the music appropriate for the dance?

Teachers

Watch to see how the instructors relate to the students.

• Are the teachers professional, knowledgeable, skilled, and caring?
  
• 
  

Good, caring teachers are essential to aid your student. Be sure the teachers teach the foundational basics to dance along with technique.

• Are the teachers at the dance studio you are considering taking courses during the off season to continue to improve their skills or are they resting on their reputation in the community?
• Do you feel comfortable with the instructors?
• Are the teachers someone you can trust?
• Do the teachers say hello and smile?
• Do they circulate around the studio offering tips and encouragement?
• Does the studio have experienced, professional teachers that enjoy, study, and take their craft seriously everyday.

Recital Attendance

If possible, attend a recital from the dance studio you are thinking of selecting for your child. A recital will let you be aware of the type of dance the studio participates in, the capabilities of the teachers, if the type of dance is consistent with your family values, etc.

If possible, view the dance studio's VHS/DVD to view previous dance recitals.

Recitals are important to a dance studio, but should not be the entire focus. Ask the owner(s) and teachers when they start to prepare for the recital.



Interviews

Interviewing the studio owner(s), teachers, and/or students is another way to learn if this studio is for your child and your family. Recommendations by other students and families help eliminate many (if not all) anxieties. Learn the reputation of the dance studio you are considering from the community.



Contracts

If a studio requires a contract, be certain you understand all the requirements of the dance studio and what you and your child are responsible for.



Child's in put

Take your child with you when looking over a potential dance studio for her/him and listen to what your child has to say.

Toe dancing is a dandy attention getter,
second only to screaming.
— Agnes de Mille (1905–1993)
choreographer/dancer

Overall Benefits of Dance

Why Dance?

dance ...

• provides an enjoyable social experience and the opportunity to make new friends;
• teaches discipline;
• gives a reward for hard work;
• promotes a healthy life style;
• provides the rudiments for grace, style, and poise;
• encourages teamwork;
• fosters good body image and physical fitness;
• gives a practical application of perseverance;
• promotes self-confidence;
• develops coordination;
• aids in self-respect;
• gives practice at being in front of an audience with grace and ease;
• opens avenues to a wide range of music and musical styles;
• encourages healthy, self-expression;
• promotes relaxation and mental clarity;
• helps to realize goals;
• improves memorization skills;
• teaches how to utilize sequence and patterns;
• promotes structure, consistency, and incentive to reach personal goals;
• teaches how to set and accomplish goals;
• provides realistic and achievable goals for all levels and abilities;
• encourages improvements in strengths while having fun working on weaknesses

Dancing is just discovery, discovery, discovery.
— Martha Graham (1894-1994)
US dancer, choreographer

Older Dancers

dance ...

• encourages self-discipline and self-respect;
• provides opportunities to follow through on difficult tasks;
• promotes a healthy lifestyle;
• demands physical fitness;
• desensitizes a young person to being in front of an audience;
• encourages respecting others;
• promotes working in a team;
• develops leadership skills as confidence and self-assurance are encouraged;
• improves self-image;
• provides entertainment — unlike video games, the dance participant actually has to get up off the couch and move;
• develops nonverbal communication skills and makes the importance of bodily motion evident;
• is motivational — frequently older dancers would not willingly work out or exercise; dancing with a group is highly motivational not to mention fun!
• provides camaraderie which helps motivate and encourage the dancer master difficult steps/routines;
• teaches ways to make better use of what skills and abilities a student has while encouraging the student to try new things;
• provides performing and leadership opportunities

Young Children & Dance

dance ...

• develops motor skills;
• encourages coordination;
• develops and increases range of motion abilities;
• promotes strength and stamina;
• aids in overcoming shyness;
• provides sense of achievement and accomplishment;
• encourages ease in social situations;
• by counting, clapping, and/or moving to musical rhythms, dance links basic math concepts to real life;
• provides variety to prevent bordom and drudgery

Dance: Health and Fitness Benefits

dance ...

• according to a Mayo Clinic study, helps burn calories (and burns fat);
• promotes cardiovascular conditioning (many experts recommend 30-40 minutes of continuous activity 3-4 times per week);
• builds strong bones; a Mayo Clinic study reported that side-to-side movements tend to strengthen weight bearing bones and may help prevent bone mass loss;
• improves posture and spinal health, according to a Mayo Clinic study;
• builds muscle tone;
• increases joint mobility;
• fosters good body image and physical fitness;
• provides a creativity and emotional outlet;
• is a great stress reliever;
• may improve skin;
• promotes strength and stamina

Overall Benefits of Dance

dance ...

• provides an enjoyable social experience and the opportunity to make new friends;
• teaches discipline;
• gives a reward for hard work;
• promotes a healthy life style;
• provides the rudiments for grace, style, and poise;
• encourages teamwork;
• fosters good body image and physical fitness;
• gives a practical application of perseverance;
• promotes self-confidence;
• develops coordination;
• aids in self-respect;
• gives practice at being in front of an audience with grace and ease;
• opens avenues to a wide range of music and musical styles;
• encourages healthy, self-expression;
• promotes relaxation and mental clarity;
• helps to realize goals;
• improves memorization skills;
• teaches how to utilize sequence and patterns;
• promotes structure, consistency, and incentive to reach personal goals;
  
• teaches how to set and accomplish goals;
• provides realistic and achievable goals for all levels and abilities;
  
• encourages improvements in strengths while having fun working on weaknesses
  

Dancing is just discovery, discovery, discovery.
— Martha Graham (1894-1994)
US dancer, choreographer