Edward Villella, upcoming, at New York’s Paley Center
Feb
27
2013
Coming to New York’s Paley Center for Media for an evening of conversation and television and film clips, the legendary dancer and artistic director Edward Villella will discuss his extraordinary and unique career. A regular performer, in the 1960s, on American television, Villella’s accessible appeal and hunky good looks made him a scintillating sight on ...
Matt (Harold Henry) Mattox, memorialized 1
MATT (Harold Henry) MATTOX b. Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, August 18, 1921 d. Perpignan, France, February 18, 2013 “I’ve never classified myself as a jazz teacher, I prefer to talk about ‘free-style dancing,’ which means I have a choice of movement for any piece of music,” said Mattox in a 1993 interview. To prepare for his ...
Matt Mattox (1921-2013) leads off in “Lonesome Polecat” 5
Big guy Matt Mattox leads off his “brothers” in this lovely unhurried number choreographed by Michael Kidd for SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (MGM, 1954). The precision! Matt’s mournful singing, “Can’t make no vows … to a herd of cows” is dubbed in the movie by Bill Lee. Like this? Read more: Matt Mattox, memorialized ...
In memorium: Matt Mattox from ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954) / MGM / LES SEPT FEMMES DE BARBEROUSSE / FRANCE / ARTIST: ROGER SOUBIE Enchanting Jane Powell marrying reclusive rancher Howard Keel is the catalyst for his six brothers following suit in a rollicking athletic courtship, inventively choreographed by Michael Kidd, and visualized by France’s most prolific poster artist, Roger ...
Connoisseur collection of dance-movie posters grace Barnsdall exhibit 1
“I was born with a poster gene! When I was a kid I used to ‘color in’ the New York Times (black & white) print ads for theater. When I saw the poster, I’d compare their color choices [to mine].” Collector Mike Kaplan offers this charming anecdote in explanation for a lifelong obsession as we ...
Superb exhibition “Stravinsky and L.A. Dance” to close 2
Stravinsky & L.A. Dance, located on the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion’s sunlight-strewn mezzanine celebrates the composer’s creative influence on Los Angeles dance-makers of the past. The photos (several by Otto Rothschild) are presented together with reconstruction materials of The Joffrey Ballet’s The Rite of Spring. Curated by Lorin Johnson and Mark Konecny and instigated and overseen by Music ...
My dad, Dana Andrews, at the Egyptian Wednesday 1
Feb
16
2013
Looking forward to viewing the early film noir, Laura, directed by Otto Preminger and starrring Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb and Dana Andrews.Hosted by The American Cinematheque, the screening takes place next Wednesday night at the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. The showcase includes bonus appearances. Introducing the film will be Dana Andrews’ daughter, Susan Andrews.Author ...
A garden of creativity on “Project Runway”
Feb
15
2013
I very much enjoyed the exquisite results of the ‘special challenge’ on last night’s “Project Runway“; the assignment involved melding purchases from hardware store and flower shop into creative couture. Real, fresh flowers are interwoven in those dresses. Or … could it be the arts·meme green that attracts my eye? Incredibly well done. Thanks to ...
Culture clash: Dino & the Stones
Feb
13
2013
From “Life” by Keith Richards (Little, Brown, 2010) page 151: “The first show we ever did in America was at the Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino, California. Bobby Goldsboro … was on the show, and the Chiffons. But earlier, we’d had the experience of Dean Martin introducing us at the taping of the Hollywood Palace TV show. ...
Lula Washington dance touches Elizabeth Eckford of Little Rock Nine
Feb
12
2013
arts·meme friend Erwin Washington sends this letter from the Lula Washington Dance Theatre tour bus. Elizabeth Eckford, one of the original Little Rock Nine, was on hand January 31 at Stuttgart, Arkansas’ Grand Prairie Center when Lula Washington Dance Theatre performed its dance suite about the nine high school students who integrated Central High School ...