April 3: Today in Dance

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), who performed with Martha Graham (1894–1991) and produced her own socially and politically-conscious work; film star Marlon Brando (1924–2004), who played against type and danced superbly in the movie version of Guys and Dolls (1955), his first and last musical; and revered ballet teacher at Steps on Broadway Wilhelm Burmann (1939–2020), who began studying dance as a teenager and performed with NYCB and Frankfurt Ballet.

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Check out more about dance at: https://www.dawndavisloring.com/todayindance

Dawn Davis Loring is delighted to announce the publication of her first book on dance: Dance Appreciation, co-authored by Julie L. Pentz. Available from Human Kinetics and from Amazon and other booksellers.