August 8
Born Today:
Esther Williams
Esther Williams (1921-2013) was an underwater dancer starring in aquamusicals of the 1940s and 1950s - Bathing Beauty (1944), Neptune’s Daughter (1949), and Million Dollar Mermaid (1952). She was a champion swimmer with Olympic hopes, but World War II cancelled the 1940 games. When synchronized swimming was first recognized as an Olympic Event in 1984, she was the official commentator for the first competition, going to the Olympics at last.
Also born today: Ballet Master and co-founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Karel Shook (1920-1985). Bellydancer Serena Wilson (1933-2007) helped to raise the profile of this Middle Eastern dance in the United States. English ballet dancer turned photojournalist, Colin Jones (1936-2021) danced with the Royal Ballet in the early 1960s and picked up a camera during that time, documenting backstage dance life.