June 30
Born Today:
Lucile Grahn
Ballerina Lucile Grahn (1819-1907) studied with August Bournonville (1805-1879) in Denmark and danced with the company for two years before relocating to France and dancing with the Paris Opera from 1839-1845, when she performed with three top ballerinas in Pas de Quatre (1845), a showcase piece for their differing talents. She went on to tour Europe and retired from the stage in 1856, becoming a ballet mistress to two German ballet companies.
Also Born Today: Ballerina Adèle Dumilâtre (1821-1909) danced with the Paris Opera Ballet from 1840-1848 during the height of the Romantic Era, and when she retired from performing, she married a Count. Although Lena Horne (1917-2010) was primarily known as a singer, she got her start as a dancer at the original Cotton Club and continued dancing in musicals such as Panama Hattie (1942) and Broadway Rhythm (1944). Choreographer Flemming Flindt (1936-2009) danced for the Royal Danish Ballet and served as artistic director from 1966-1978 and created works for his wife, ballerina Vivi Flindt (1943-). Versatile ballet dancer Cyril Atanassoff (1941-) trained and performed with the Paris Opera Ballet, joining the company in 1957, and danced for many choreographers before retiring in 1986. Choreographer and photographer Wim Vandekeybus (1963-) founded his company, Ultima Vez, in 1986, and is best known for his piece What the Body Does Not Remember (1987).
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Movie: Easter Parade released in 1948, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory released in 1971