Happy Birthday Michelle Dorrance!

by Nicole Harris 

Photo from Jacob's Pillow by Christopher Duggan

This summer I traveled to the extreme ends of Massachusetts in search of brilliant tap dancing, and brilliant tap dancing is exactly what I found.  (Along with a whole lot of adventure, but that's a story for another time.)  I want to tell you about my first stop:  the gorgeous Jacob's Pillow to see Michelle Dorrance's The Blues Project.  A recipient of the 2013 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, Michelle created this new work using members of her company, co-choreographers Derick K. Grant and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, and a brand new score byToshi Regan. 

Anybody who has had a conversation about tap dancing with me in the past five years or so knows that I am a big fan of Michelle and her work.  This show did not disappoint.  It was beautifully danced, creatively envisioned and intelligently constructed.  I have been talking to and interviewing people from the show this summer and will hopefully have some interviews for you soon!

I would like to wish Michelle a most wonderfully happy birthday this month.  Take a minute to learn more about her and her work here.  And don't miss an opportunity to see the woman in action if you find one!

Happy Birthday to the rest of our September birthdays...

Valerie Perrine, Beyonce Knowles, Mitzi Gaynor, Mariah Steele, Tony Waag, Lola Falana, Michelle Dorrance, Sarah Friswell, Sabrina Bryant, Frederick Ashton, Wade Robson, Olivia Scharff, Ashley Chandler, Juliet Prowse, Lawrence Leritz, Deborah Kerr, Anne Howarth, Tanya Rivard, Lewis Glass, Allie Fiske, Monica Clary, Jesse Chase, Cathy Jo Linn, and Dita Von Teese.