July 3
Born Today:
Eddie Torres
Dancer Eddie Torres (1950-) known affectionately as The Mambo King, is a renowned teacher of New York style salsa dance and his technique has the dancers start on the second count of the music. Torres learned how to dance salsa by watching other dancers in clubs and soon gained a dance partner - his future wife Maria Torres. In 1980, band leader Tito Puente agreed to allow the couple to perform a number in his show, leading to a long-term creative relationship. Torres, with some prodding from ballroom dance teacher June Laberta, is credited with codifying salsa steps and creating a syllabus for teaching salsa dance.
Also Born Today: Powerhouse dancer/composer George M. Cohan (1878-1942) is known for songs such as Give My Regards to Broadway and Over There, and for developing American musical comedy in the early years of the 20th century. He wrote and produced over 50 plays, musicals, and revues from 1904-1920. Dancer Syvilla Fort (1917-1975) danced with Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) and founded her own studio, fusing modern dance and Dunham Technique. She also danced to the first piece by composer John Cage on “prepared piano”. Originally from Cuba, Amalia Aguilar (1924-2021) spent most of her career in Mexico, dancing in theatres, cabarets, and on film. She appeared in the Hollywood film A Night at the Follies (1947), but declined to make any other films in the US.
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Dance Premiere: The Green Table in 1932
TV Premiere: Hamilton July 3, 2020