April 25
Born Today:
Sara Baras
Spanish Flamenco dancer Sara Baras (1971-) began her studies at her mother’s school and began performing as a youth at festivals and other gatherings worldwide. She established her own company in 1998 and has presented thirteen themed concerts in some of the most prestigious venues including the Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, the Kennedy Center in DC, the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, and City Center in New York. Her dancing was featured in the movie Mission Impossible 2 (2000), several flamenco documentaries and in a documentary about her career in 2017.
Also Born Today: Ballet dancer and choreographer Stanislaw Miszczyk (1910-1976) helped to re-establish Polish ballet after WWII between 1945 and his retirement in 1972. Ballerina Melissa Hayden (1923-2006) danced with NYCB from 1948-1973 and after retiring, she taught at several prestigious colleges. Tap dancer Ernest “Brownie” Brown (1916- 2009), danced with the Original Copasetics and was the performing partner of Charles “Cookie” Cook (1914-1991), with whom he appeared in Kiss Me Kate (1948) on Broadway. Kabuki actor and celebrated onnagata (male performer of female roles), Bandō Tamasburō V (1950-) toured the US in 1985, directed the film Yearning (1993) and has performed alongside drumming groups and musician Yo Yo Ma.
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Movie: Ziegfeld Girl released in 1941
Broadway Premiere: Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk in 1996