February 23
Born Today:
Elizabeth Streb
Dance performance artist Elizabeth Streb (1950-) danced with several contemporary groups including Margaret Jenkins (1942-) and Molissa Fenley (1954-) before establishing her own company, STREB/Ringside in 1975. Streb’s work can be characterized as daredevil dance, featuring elements of physical risk in the choreography, which might be performed around swinging masonry blocks or on a huge trampoline.
Also Born Today: Mysterious modern dance choreographer Sybil Shearer (1912-2005), who left New York City to work in Chicago. Butoh performer and founder of the company Dairakudakan Temputenshiki, Akaji Maro (1943-). Choreographer and co-founding director of the gender-bending and hilarious Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo dance company, Peter Anastos (1948-). Ballerina prodigy Sylvie Guillem (1965-), who began dancing at the age of 11 and only five years later was dancing professionally.