On May 10, 1899 a
boy by the name of Frederick Austerlitz was born in Omaha Nebraska.
This boy would later on go on to become one of the greatest male
stars of all time, a dancing prodigy and change the history of dance
on film. This boy would go on to become none other than Fred Astaire.
In honor of this
American legend the Middletown Fred Astaire Ballroom Dance Studio is
holding an open house birthday celebration on May 10th 8 –
9p.m. The party held at 19 Tuttle Place, Middletown, CT, will have
general dancing, an introductory lesson, a demonstration and of
course cake.
Astaire’s career
spanned over 76 years of his 88 year life. During that time he made
31 musical films and changed the way the country looked at dance on
screen. He won three Emmy Awards, one Academy Award and three Golden
Globes in his lifetime among many other accolades. This from a man
who’s Hollywood screen test claimed, “Can’t act. Can’t sing.
Slightly Bald. Can dance a little.”
He originally began
his career partnered with his sister, Adele, as a vaudeville act.
They performed together until the 1930’s when Adele got married and
retired from the stage. It was then that Astaire paired with who
would become his most well-known partner, Ginger Rogers. Together
they would make ten films and become known as the greatest dance
pairs to have ever graced the stage.
Astaire was known
as a perfectionist. He would take weeks to rehearse his routines,
ironing out every detail. He once said, “I never yet got anything
100% right.” Though in watching his routines it would be hard to
say what he ever got wrong. After the filming of the Belle of New
York in 1952 the directors wanted to reshoot a scene with Astaire to
change the costume and the setting. In watching the two scenes
side-by-side in a split screen they are identical. Astaire was so
rehearsed his timing was perfect in the retake compared to the
original.
Astaire passed away
on June 22, 1987, but left us a legacy of music and dancing that is
still alive today. A performer of his caliber has not graced the
stage since, but he has influenced the works of many who have come
after him. His work shaped the way dance was seen on the screen and
his influence is still felt today.
In 1947 he
cofounded the Fred Astaire Dance Studio company. He took the elegance
and glamour of Hollywood and made it accessible to everyone as a way
of preserving his dancing and passing it on. "Some people seem
to think that good dancers are born," Astaire once observed,
"but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained. To
me, dancing has always been fun. I enjoy every minute of it. I am
glad that I can now put my knowledge to use in bringing personal
confidence and a feeling of achievement to so many people."
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