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Nuggets
DANCE LOSES
FERNANDO BUJONES
Fernando
Bujones, one of the finest male dancers of the 20th century,
passed away in November, 2005, at the age of 50 after a very
brief and unexpected battle with malignant melanoma.
Born in
Miami of Cuban parents, Bujones enjoyed an extraordinary
performing career. With a meteoric rise, first as a gifted
dance student at the Julliard School of Music’s world famous
School of American Ballet in New York City, then as principal
dancer with American Ballet Theater, becoming the first
American dancer to win the prestigious gold medal at the Varna
International Ballet Competition, and lastly as Artistic
Director of the Orlando Ballet, Bujones became a living legend
in dance. His success and artistic achievements span almost
three decades and his charismatic presence and incredible
technical prowess captivated audiences all over the world.
His name
now and forever will be part of dance history, joining other
legendary figures like Vaslav Nijinsky, Rudolph Nureyev, Erik
Bruhn and those rare others whose contributions to the world
of dance transcend the ordinary. He has motivated and inspired
young generations of dancers all over the world, and his
personal warmth and passionate spirit transcended the dance
world and uplifted all those who had the opportunity to know
him.
He is
survived by his wife Maria Bujones, daughter Alejandra K.
Bujones, his mother Mary Calleiro, sister and long-time coach
Zeida Cecilia Mendez, father Fernando Bujones Sr.,
half-brother Manny Bujones, half-sisters Susi and Annette
Bujones.
IOWA DANCE
CONFERENCE
The
Siouxland Civic Dance Association, a non-profit organization,
is sponsoring the Iowa Dance Conference, April 28-30, during
National Dance Week. Master classes in theatrical dance,
liturgical dance, different ethnic dance forms, drill teams,
and social dance will be taught at the Sioux City Convention
Center, and there will
be a gala
performance representing some of the best Iowa dancers, along
with dance professionals, at the beautiful renovated Orpheum
Theatre. There also will be an attempt to set a record for the
world’s longest kick line. Square, round, and ballroom dancers
will not only take classes but will have several hours of
social
dance time.
Frank
Hatchett, education spokesman for NDW will be offering jazz
classes, and negotiations are in progress for a Radio City
Rockette (NDW celebrity spokesperson) to present The Rockette
Experience. Germaine Goodson, a known Broadway performer, will
offer her expertise in tap, and Venti Petrov, a medalist at
the New York International Ballet Competition, will conduct
classes in ballet. These events made possible in part by a
grant from the Iowa Arts Council.
NEW ORLEANS
BALLET ASSOCIATION (NOBA) REQUESTING DONATIONS
Many of the
students and teachers of the NOBA lost everything in the
flooding that followed last year’s hurricanes and are now
trying to rebuild their lives as artists and students. NOBA is
requesting that donations of clothing, shoes, teaching music,
and anything a child or adult would need to take or teach a
dance class be sent to New Orleans Ballet Association, c/o
Jenny Hamilton, 941 Melody Dr., Metairie, LA 70002, or contact
them at
jhamilton@nobadance.com
CAPEZIO
BALLET MAKERS OFFERS ITS “HEALING WITH DANCE” PROGRAM TO
HURRICANE VICTIMS
Dance is
known to accelerate the mending process by offering an
emotional outlet for self expression, and has the power to
heal the mind and body. Capezio extends its “Healing With
Dance” program to children affected by last fall’s hurricanes,
by offering dance classes to these special children at a local
dance studio of their choice. They will be provided with the
appropriate Capezio brand clothing and footwear needed for the
category of dance they choose – ballet, jazz, tap, modern,
ballroom, gymnastics, and ice skating. “Healing With Dance”
inquiries may be directed to Capezio, Deborah Gibbs-Pelton,
231 W. 39th St., Ste. 611, New York, NY 10018, fax
212-768-0841,
dgibbs@balletmakers.com
BROADWAY
DANCE CENTER PRESENTS WORKSHOPS
The Pulse,
Broadway Dance Center’s (BDC) hip-hop and jazz workshop, hosts
the industry’s best, including Brian Friedman, Dave Scott, Mia
Michaels, Gil Duldulao, Chris Judd, Tavia and Tamara, Rhapsody
James, Brian Green, Kevin Maher, Glen Packard, Jermaine
Browne, Leslie Feliciano, Bev B., Chio, Luam, Eric Jenkins,
BT, and more.
A weekend
hip-hop workshop, The Pulse gives everyone the
opportunity to learn from the hottest choreographers. Each
workshop offers two levels, each with several classes
throughout the day. Saturday features a faculty performance
and a freestyle competition open to all who are ready and
willing! Tour dates include: January 20-22, Secaucus, NJ;
March 24-25, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, HI; April 1-2, Las
Vegas, NV; and April 22-23, Miami, FL. Visit
www.broadwaydancecenter.com for more details, or call Trevor
at 212-582-9304 x27.
UNITY PLANS
JANUARY ANNIVERSARY MEETING
UNITY, the
organization of America’s dance organizations, celebrates its
10th anniversary January 21-22 in New York City. Organizations
and their members are invited to join them for roundtable
discussions and a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at the
Edison Hotel. Come be a part of shaping the future of dance
education in America, and network with leaders from other
dance organizations. Visit www.unitydance. org/Anniversary.html,
or call 914-332- 9566 for more information.
DANCE
MASTERS OF AMERICA CONTINUES TO FACILITATE HURRICANE AID
The
hurricane relief fund established by the Dance Masters of
America (DMA) has collected over $15,000 to aid dance teachers
and studio owners in the areas of the U.S. devastated by
hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The United Dance Merchants of
America (UDMA) has also been making efforts to encourage their
members and studios and individuals nationwide to make
monetary contributions to the DMA fund. The UDMA through
National Dance Week sponsored raffles and solicited donations
at all five of its Costume Preview Shows last Fall.
All funds
collected will go directly to help dance studios rebuild their
businesses following the floods and other damages cause by the
hurricanes. Studio owners need not be members of DMA to apply
for aid. Contributions should be directed to Hurricane Relief
Fund, Dance Masters of America, P.O. Box 610533, Bayside, NY
11361. Inquiries for donors or those in need should be
directed to Robert Mann at 718-225- 4013 or
dmamann@aol.com
JACOB’S
PILLOW UTILIZES FACILITIES IN THE OFF-SEASON
Throughout
New England’s postcard-perfect late spring and early fall, the
161 picturesque acres of Jacob’s Pillow make an ideal backdrop
for weddings. For years, during the months surrounding the
Festival’s bustling summer, this world-renowned home for dance
has been the Berkshires’ best-kept secret for wedding
experiences without equal.
A wide
range of amenities is available to facilitate the
picture-perfect days, and the evening may even conclude with a
bonfire-lit gathering at the edge of a rolling field. In
addition, wedding parties may choose to stay at
Jacob’s
Pillow for the weekend in rustic cabins scattered across the
property.
Jacob’s
Pillow, or “The Pillow,” as it is affectionately known, was
originally the Carter family farm in the 1700s, and in the
1800s served as a station on the Underground Railroad. Its
pioneering spirit was furthered in 1933, when legendary
dancer, teacher, and choreographer Ted Shawn founded the
annual Festival as a showcase for his company of Men Dancers
and as a home for dance in the U.S. Shawn was also
instrumental in beginning the careers of Martha Graham and
Jack Cole, and the Pillow has continued this mentoring role by
providing opportunities to young artists such as Alvin Ailey,
José Limón, and Mark Morris.
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