June 9
Born Today:
Jane Avril
As a youth, French can-can dancer Jane Avril (1868-1943) was treated for St. Vitus’ Dance, an older diagnostic term for a condition that causes involuntary jerking motions of the hands and feet, most likely brought on by childhood disease. Known as “The Strange One,” she incorporated the quirky movement into her unique performing style. She was hired by the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris in 1889 and her reputation as an entertainer grew. Artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec featured her on a poster, immortalizing Avril in what is now a well-known image. She retired from performing in 1905 and, unfortunately, died in obscurity.
Also Born Today: Ballroom dancer Liu Zhen, aka Serena Liu (1975-2020) studied ballet as a youth and pursued a career as a competitive ballroom dancer, later appearing on Taiwanese television series and talk shows. Natalie Portman (1981-), also known as Darth Vader’s mom, studied ballet and modern dance as a youth, and later starred in the ballet horror film Black Swan (2010).
------
Ballet Premiere: Cinderella in 1824 (choreographed by Charles Didelot)