October 14
Born Today:
Usher
Singer/dancer Usher (1978-) produces concerts featuring dynamic choreography and gifted back-up dancers and cites influences from other singer/dancers Prince (1958-2016) and Michael Jackson (1958-2009). Usher was even able to perform with Jackson onstage in 2001, where he performed his side glide, similar to the Moonwalk, that Jackson made famous in the 1980s. Usher performed on Star Search as a youth and has been involved with dance since then. In 2012 he worked with Microsoft on the game Dance Central 3, lending choreography to accompany his hit songs, and in 2020 he produced and judged for a dance competition series called The Sauce.
Also Born Today: Choreographer Conrad Drzewiecki (1926-2007) created works referencing art and literature from his native Poland after returning from performing abroad, helping to create an audience for dance theatre. Rhythm tap dancer Deborah Mitchell (1947-) founded The Rhythm Queen performing group around the 1980s, performed in the Broadway show Black and Blue (1989), and founded the New Jersey Tap Ensemble in 1995.
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Movie: White Christmas released in 1954
Broadway Premiere: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 1961