March 13: Today in Dance

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. 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). Lesley Collier (1947-) also danced with the Royal Ballet and began teaching at the school in 1995.

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Broadway Premiere: Brigadoon in 1947

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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.