August 4
Born Today:
Asadata Dafora
African dancer Asadata Dafora (1890–1965) choreographed and performed in his signature work, Kykunkor (The Witch Woman) in 1934, the first production of authentic African dance and music in the United States, inspired by his birthplace in Sierra Leone. Dafora’s mission was to expose Westerners to the richness of indigenous African culture and his work inspired African-American dancers/scholars Pearl Primus (1919-1994) and Katherine Dunham (1909-2006).
Also born today: Silent film dancer, Anita Page (1910-2008), starred in the early sound musical, The Broadway Melody (1929) before retiring from Hollywood a few years later.
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Movie: Holiday Inn released in 1942