Dance

Michigan Dance Archives: Leslie O'Day Benyo Papers

aergas — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 11:10:49 -0400

Leslie O'Day Benyo was the owner and artistic director of the O’Day School of Dance in Detroit from 1982 to 2010. A ballet student and performer from 1958 to 1998, O'Day Benyo has taught at various schools and special events in the Detroit area since 1973. She was also a member of the Cecchetti Council of America, an organization dedicated to teaching standards for ballet.

Benyo's papers include items such as dance programs, photos of ballerinas, newsletters, emails, souvenir booklets, clippings, certificates, and testimonials.

David Clements Papers

mwallace — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 13:29:35 -0500

David Clements was born in Indiana in 1948, grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan and earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit. He began his professional life as an educator in Detroit, where he was one of the founders of the Detroit Children’s School, an alternative school to public education. At the same time, Clements was also interested in film and photographic arts and was very involved in the Cass City Cinema in Detroit. Clements’ Detroit urban photography is featured in two photographic books. He currently resides in Royal Oak, Michigan. The David Clements Papers consist mostly of posters and advertisements of events, especially musical ones, happening at small venues within the city of Detroit, Michigan spanning the 1970s through the 2000s. Gospel, jazz, R & B, and electronic music shows are represented in the posters. Political Buttons, nostalgic product packaging, and advertisements from local sporting events, and other happenings throughout Detroit are also within the collection.

Michigan Dance Archives: Detroit Dance Collective

aergas — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 11:19:35 -0400

The Detroit Dance Collective (DDC, renamed DDCdances in 2019) is a premiere contemporary dance company in Michigan. It was founded in 1980 by dancers Barbara Selinger, Sue Ellen Darr, Paula Kramer and Anita Surma. This professional dance group is dedicated to "the creation and production of visually striking repertory that touches the senses." The collection includes flyers and other promotional materials as well as programs from DDC performances throughout the years. There are published articles about the company and its dancers and reviews of performances. Photos include images of specific dances and dancers and of the company's teaching activities. There are two company scrapbooks, and oversize posters, flyers, awards and other materials.

Detroit Recreation Department Dance Program: Shirley Harbin Records

drice — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:59:08 -0400

The Detroit Recreation Department has had a long and storied history of mergers, re-naming, re-organizing, and re-structuring. Growing out of once separate Parks and Recreation Commissions, its history has long included a Recreation Division which administered a dance program as part of its Special Activities Unit. Shirley Harbin was hired in 1963 as a Senior Recreation Instructor in Drama, and by 1971, she was the Senior Recreation Instructor in Dramatics and Music. At the time Harbin was with the department, Eleanor Cattron was the Senior Recreation Instructor of Dance.

The Records encompass more than just Harbin's tenure. They capture Recreation Dancing in Detroit though the administration, performances, scripts and plans of the Dance Program, along with references to other dance studios and initiatives in the metro area including the Harbinger Dance Company, the Mme. Cadillac Dance Theatre, the Jewish Community Center, and the Detroit Metropolitan Dance Project. Of special research value is the large collection of original choreographed dances dating to 1924 that were performed by the students in classes and performances. The choreographed dances include ballet, tap, modern and folk dancing, often indicating the particular musical score to which the counts and measures have been assigned.

Michigan Dance Archives: Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy Records

aergas — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:29:03 -0400

This collection includes the administrative, teaching, performance, and fundraising records of the Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy (DWDA) from 1986 to 2020. DWDA is a non-profit dance school established in Detroit in 1984 by Debra White-Hunt and Bruce Hunt. In addition to offering a wide variety of dance classes for children and adults, DWDA sponsors and participates in many community activities locally and nationally. Materials in this collection include class schedules, student and instructor training information, performance programs and booklets, PR and publicity clippings, audition notes, annual reports, photographs, and correspondence. There are many documents from the DWDA annual dance concerts and the "Crystal Ball" annual fundraisers. One box of audio-visual materials (videotapes, DVDs, CDs) has been placed in the Reuther Library AV Department.

Michigan Dance Archives: Marygrove College Department of Dance Records

aergas — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 10:05:29 -0400

Marygrove College opened its Detroit campus in 1927; it originated as St. Mary Academy, later St. Mary College. in Monroe, Michigan, in 1845. Dance programs included a long-running Summer School for the Performing Arts, which included well-known faculty from the college and around the country. Classes for children were offered in ballet, modern and creative dance. These records from the Dance Department consist mainly of photographs of dance events and performances in the 1970s and 1980s, along with individual photos of students and guest artists. There are several folders of photos from an exchange with a dance program in Japan, dating from 1988-1990. There is one oversize box containing photos. A small group of negatives, five envelopes of strips and three 4"x5" negatives, were transferred to the Reuther A-V Departent.

Michigan Dance Archives: Cecchetti Council of America Records

aergas — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 10:16:14 -0400

The Cecchetti Council of America (CCA) is a membership-based dance education organization, established in 1939, dedicated to maintaining the standards and methods of ballet training established by Cavalier Enrico Cecchetti. The CCA provides a system of accredited examinations to assess the knowledge, proficiency and quality of teacher and student candidates, with the purpose of raising the standard of ballet teaching throughout the United States. The CCA is run by a National Executive Board of Directors (NEBD), with examinations overseen by the Board of Examiners (BOE), and has offices based in Flat Rock, MI, as of 2022. The NEBD oversees teacher training and syllabi, organizes classes and seminars, and provides liaison with the regional Committees. The records in this collection reflect that work on a national level, with correspondence, administrative documents, NEBD minutes and records, and historical documents. The work of the various Committees around the country is also reflected in administrative documents and meeting minutes, as well as records of events and performances. The collection also includes some photographs, posters and books. Audio-visual materials such as videotapes, film reels, vinyl records, and DVD/CDs have been transferred to the Reuther AV Department. The CCA Records reflect the wide-ranging importance and influence of the Cecchetti Method of teaching and of the CCA nationally and internationally.

Michigan Dance Archives: Harriet Berg Papers, Part 4

aergas — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:05:19 -0500

Part 4 of the Berg papers includes many documents and photos on Berg's dance companies at the JCC, especially the Festival Dancers and Young Dancers Guild, as well as dance classes and events there. There are also materials on summer dance camps at Camp Maas and Camp Tamarack, along with various conferences, as well as general teaching materials. There are many scrapbooks from various dance groups and events. AV materials include DVDs, video and 2 films.

Blanding Sloan Papers

drice — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:47:36 -0500

Blanding Sloan (1886-1975) was a puppeteer, theater designer, playwright, printmaker and director who was involved with the marionette program of the Federal Theatre Project (FTP), one of the cultural programs of the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. His papers reflect his involvement with the FTP in San Francisco and with the Unemployed Co-operative Distribution Association.

Michigan Dance Archives: Denise Szykula Papers

aergas — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 09:20:30 -0400

Denise Szykula won praise over many decades for her work as a dancer, choreographer, teacher and innovator. Szykula founded Dance Nonce Ensemble in 1973 (later renamed Dance Nonce) and served as its artistic director and choreographer for over 45 years. As a respected teacher of modern dance and creative movement, Szykula has taught weekly classes as well as serving as guest teacher and choreographer for workshops and master classes in colleges and universities. Szykula has collaborated with many musicians and artists around Michigan, and her body of work has been supported frequently with grants from
arts organizations. Szykula's papers includes choreographic notes and notations from many of her works dating from 1979 to 2015, as well as her notebooks of lesson plans dated from 1991 to 2018. Brochures, programs, publicity and correspondence are also included. There
is one box of photos from various productions of her work, and an oversize box contains photos and posters, including original artwork. Small wooden stage-set mock-ups for two of her dances are part of the collection. One box containing slides and DVDs has been transferred to the Reuther A-V Department, and ten videos of dances are held in
the Reuther digital repository.

Congratulations to Harriet Berg -- 100 years young

aergas — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 10:19:37 -0500

The Reuther Library extends its congratulations to Harriet Berg on becoming a centenarian this month. Berg has been a choreographer, teacher, performer and arts advocate in the Detroit area for many decades, especially known for her historical dance companies, the Madame Cadillac Dancers and the Renaissance Dance Company. read more »

Exhibit Announcement: Dance Pioneers

cwesterman — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 11:55:53 -0400

On Friday, October 4, the Reuther Library hosted a reception for the opening of Dance Pioneers: Michigan’s 20th Century Movers, a new exhibit on display in the Woodcock Gallery. The opening reception was introduced by Harriet Berg, founder of the Michigan Dance Archives, and included remarks from Leslee O'Day Benyo, Reuther Library Director Beth Myers, and Reuther Library Field Archivist Louis Jones. read more »

In memoriam: Denise Szykula

aergas — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 12:30:20 -0400

The Michigan Dance Archives (MDA) at the Reuther Library notes with sadness the passing of Denise Szykula, whose papers became part of the MDA in 2018. read more »

Michigan Dance Archives at the Reuther Library

aergas — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:00:31 -0400

Recent work on papers donated to the Reuther Library has created new interest in the Michigan Dance Archives, which focuses on the history of dance in the Detroit metro area and across Michigan. The Michigan Dance Archives (MDA) was established in 1994 to acquire and preserve the rich heritage of Michigan dance, and it includes the papers of its founder Harriet Berg. read more »

New dance collection open: Cecchetti Council of America Records

aergas — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 09:31:00 -0400

The newest addition to the Michigan Dance Archives is now open to researchers: Cecchetti Council of America Records. The CCA is a membership-based dance education organization, established in 1939, dedicated to maintaining the standards and methods of ballet training established by Cavalier Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928). read more »

(28294) Ethnic Communities, Scottish, Dance, 1922

eclemens — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:21:19 -0400

Three dancers in Highland Dress pose for a photograph while in first position. The young lady on the right wears a smock covered in medals, presumably from previous dance competitions.

(46733) Dance, Cecchetti Method, 1970s

eclemens — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 08:59:03 -0400

A view of students participating in a Ceccheti Method dance class.

Ensemble, Wayne University Dance Workshop, circa 1933-1936

teller — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 10:26:19 -0400

Wayne University Dance Workshop ensemble, circa 1933-1936. From Wayne State University Dance Department Records, Box 8, Folder 1.

(DN_7854) Ethnic Communities, Ukrainian, Dancers, Costumes, Children, 1954

eclemens — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:28:38 -0400

Joanna von Draginda teaches Clarence Marson and David Martyn the steps as she leads a Ukrainian folk dancing class for children at the International Institute.

(28293) Ethnic Communities, Scottish, Dance, 1922

eclemens — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:18:29 -0400

Two young boys in Highland Dress dance on a raised platform as a bagpiper plays. In the background three young African American boys watch the performance.

(28298) Ethnic Communities, Norwegian, Dancers, 1940

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:47:56 -0400

Peter Iversen and Asta Bjergseth demonstrate the Paal Paa Haugen, a dance taken from a Norwegian folk song called "Paul on the Hill."

(28299) Ethnic Communities, Norwegian, Dancers, 1940

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:41:54 -0400

Folk dancers perform at the Norwegian Independence Day program.

Left to right: Martha Drage, Ingvald Orheim, Esther Myrold

(28305) Ethnic Communities, Indian, Dance, 1946

eclemens — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:44:46 -0400

Rama Mehta and Kamla Chowdhry demonstrate traditional dance poses.

(28309) Ethnic Communities, Romanian, Dancers, 1948

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:11:41 -0400

Young women demonstrate a traditional Romanian dance for Detroit News photographers.

Left to right: Mary Ann Danis, Constance Craciun, Valerie Risca, Jeanne Farco

(28311) Ethnic Communities, Russian, Dancers, 1939

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:43:10 -0400

Nick Cinoff, master of the Caucasian Dagger Dance, poses in tradtional costume for a Detroit News Photographer. Noted on verso is the phrase "Rho Alpha Chi."

(28312) Ethnic Communities, Russian, Dancers, 1939

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:38:31 -0400

Russian dancers George Werem and Olga Omelianoff strike a pose.
Noted on verso is the phrase "Rho Alpha Chi."

(28314) Ethnic Communities, Russian, Dancers, 1939

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:20:59 -0400

Russian dancers pose, in costume, for a Detroit News photographer. Noted on verso is the phrase "Rho Alpha Chi."

Standing: Jean Kondratsky, Nick Kurtz, Vera Tarashoff, Victor Tarashoff, George Werem

Seated: Harry Kuzmich, Luba Pukolenko, Zena Omelianoff, John Rubin, Olga Omelianoff

(28295) Ethnic Communities, Scottish, Dance, 1922

eclemens — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:23:26 -0400

Three young dancers perform before a crowd, most likely during the St. Andrew's Society Highland Games.

(28919) Ethnic Communities, Hungarian, Customs, Dance, Detroit,1965

eclemens — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:58:37 -0400

Theresa Szalai, age four, dances with her grandmother Mrs. Anna Levy at an unidentified social club. At right, Mrs. Teresa Szerdi dances with her granddaughter Cynthia. The sign on the wall reads "pleasant entertainment."

(28932) Ethnic Communities, Greek, Customs, 1939

eclemens — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 11:33:00 -0400

A woman belly-dances while musicians play for an audience in a local cafe. Part of a series on Detroit's Greek Community.

Caption reads: "Once moralists threw up their hands at the "hootchie" but one can see much "hotter" dances at almost any high priced revue. The little lady wears enough clothes to garb a whole modern chorus."

(30648) Harriet Berg speaks at Reuther Library

cwesterman — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:45:28 -0400

Harriet Berg speaks at the opening reception for the exhibit "Michigan Dance Pioneers" on October 4, 2013.

(30649) Attendees at Dance Pioneers exhibit reception

cwesterman — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:54:27 -0400

Attendees at the opening reception for the exhibit “Michigan Dance Pioneers” at the Walter P. Reuther Library on October 4, 2013.

(31965) Ethnic Communities, Mexican, Celebrations, 1948

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:24:28 -0400

Young couples perform the Mexican Hat Dance during an event at the International Institute.

Left to right: Olivia Torres, Arthur Solis, Emma Cervantes, Ben Casillas

(31967) Ethnic Communities, Mexican, Celebrations, 1939

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:07:50 -0400

Lenora de la Fuente poses for a photograph during a Mexican Fiesta, location unknown.

(31969) Ethnic Communities, Mexican, Celebrations, 1940

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:51:22 -0400

La Conga Dancers perform during the Mexican Independence Day celebration at Cass Tech High School.

Left to right: Teresa Alvizer, Peter Acala, Alfred Gabaldon, Soledad Muro

(31970) Ethnic Communities, Mexican, Children, Celebrations, 1942

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:46:00 -0400

Albert Alcala and Rachel Alfaro dance at the Mexican Independence Day celebration at Cass Tech High School. In the background are members of the Artistico Femenino dance group.

(31972) Ethnic Communities, Norwegian, Dancers, 1939

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:00:34 -0400

Folk dancers Mary Gordan, Esther Myrold and Asta Bjergseth pose for a photograph during an unidentified event.

(31973) Ethnic Communities, Norwegian, Dancers, 1939

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:53:22 -0400

William Gordan, Mary Gordan, Osborn Holm, Asta Bjergseth, Peter Iversen, Esther Myrold and Ingwalk Orheim demonstrate the Faeroysteg, a folk dance from the Faeroe Islands.

(31977) Ethnic Communities, Romanian, World War Two, Relief Efforts, 1940

eclemens — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:55:57 -0400

Young women perform during the Allied Festival for Polish War Relief.

(31984) Ethnic Communities, Hungarian, Customs, Holidays, 1938

eclemens — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:05:21 -0400

A procession makes its way through an unidentified restaurant during a celebration for the beginning of Lent. Heading up the line is a musician. Behind him, hiding their faces and holding candles and instruments, are a group of dancers.

(47145) Harriet Berg as the Teeny-Tiny Lady, c. 1960s

eclemens — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 09:01:44 -0500

Harriet Berg poses as the Teeny-Tiny Lady.

Inscription on verso reads: "Love from the Teeny Tiny Lady...again. Nov. 1980."

(DN_79594) Ethnic Communities, Ukrainian, Dancers, Costumes, 1971

eclemens — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:16:06 -0400

Cheryl Hardy takes pictures of girls in traditional Ukrainian costume during the International Fair at Wayne State University.

Top row, left to right: Irene Lazarehuk, Maria Hordynskya, Halya Shnorinsky

Bottom, Row, left to right: Katherine Sadowya, Suitlana Mokrya

(DN_79595) Ethnic Communities, Ukrainian, 1972

eclemens — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:18:56 -0400

Demonstrators hold signs denouncing the Soviet Union's treatment of Ukraine at a rally held at Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan.

(DN_79596) Ethnic Communities, Ukrainian, Dancers, Costumes, 1955

eclemens — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:22:13 -0400

A group of Ukrainian dancers warm up before their performance for the International Institute Garden Party at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan.

Left to right: Olga Iwachiw (16), Mary Koshiw (14, Myroslava Sawczuk (12), Motria Milaytch (13).

(DN_79597) Ethnic Communities, Ukrainian, Dancers, Costumes, 1937

eclemens — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:24:57 -0400

Folk dancers Irene Shustakevich ad Elsie Kozachenko pose for a photograph before their performance at the 3rd Annual Ukrainian Ball, Detroit, Michigan.

(DN_79600) Ethnic Communities, Ukrainian, Dancers, Costumes, 1960

eclemens — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:39:53 -0400

Ukrainian folk dancers perform for the audience at Detroit's Masonic Temple.

(79612) Ethnic Communities, Serbian, Dance, 1960

eclemens — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:05:55 -0400

An exhibition of Serbian folk dancing at Detroit's Masonic Temple.

(79659) Ethnic Communities, Filipino, Candle Dance, 1955

eclemens — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:43:18 -0500

Filipino youths demonstrate the "Candle Dance."

Left to right: Asuncion Mendoza, Victor Goloyugo, Fely Braganza, Romeo Nmanos

(79660) Ethnic Communities, Filipino, Dance, Detroit, 1960

eclemens — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:43:18 -0500

Students from the University of Michigan demonstrate traditional Filipino dance during an exhibition at Detroit's Masonic Temple.

(79662) Ethnic Communities, Estonian, Dance, 1958

eclemens — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:43:18 -0500

Estonian youth demonstrate a dance while dressed in traditional costume.

Featured are: Peter Tooma, Juri Koolmar, Arlenna Pikat, John Somer, Toivo Somer and his wife Ina.