June 13
Born Today:
Frederic Franklin
Ballet dancer Frederic Franklin (1914-2013) began his performing career in Paris with Josephine Baker (1906-1975) in 1931 and he danced with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo from 1938-1952, often partnering ballerina Alexandra Danilova (1903-1997). After retiring from the stage, he became a freelance reviver and restager of ballets, having danced in many of the original ballets. In the mid-1980s he staged a Creole Giselle, set in the Louisiana bayou, for Dance Theatre of Harlem, beginning a fruitful artistic partnership with the company. Although DTH had to stop performing in 2004, they were able to resume again for the 2012-2013 season. Hopefully he got to see them one last time.
Also Born Today: Choreographer Loyce Houlton (1925-1995) founded the Minnesota Dance Theatre, created the Houlton Contemporary Technique combining ballet and modern dance principles, and choreographed works including Swan Lake Minnesota (1981). Dance teacher June Finch (1940-2021) produced work for her own company between 1977–1982, performed with Viola Farber (1931–1998), and taught the Cunningham Technique to several generations of modern dancers. Contemporary choreographer Lea Anderson (1959-) co-founded The Cholmondeleys (pronounced chum-lees) and The Featherstonehaughs (pronounced fan-shaws) dance companies. The dancer known as Darcel (1951-) is best known for being the lead Solid Gold Dancer on the music countdown show in the 1980s, but she also appeared in the musical film Xanadu (1980) and on various TV variety shows including The Carol Burnett Show.
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Ballet Premieres: Petrushka in 1911 and Les Noces in 1923