Research Catalog

American Negro Ballet Company scrapbook

Title
  1. American Negro Ballet Company scrapbook, 1937-1983 (bulk 1937-1938).
Author
  1. American Negro Ballet Company

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Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Schomburg Center to submit a request in person.

Containerfolder 1FormatMixed materialAccessUse in libraryCall numberSc MG 519 folder 1Item locationSchomburg Center - Manuscripts & Archives

Details

Description
  1. 1 folder
Summary
  1. The American Negro Ballet Company scrapbook consists of news clippings and programs about the company founded by Eugene van Grona. Included are reviews of its performances in New York City and Brighton, England, in 1937 and 1938; and programs for the ANB and Lew Leslie's "Blackbirds of 1939", which featured dances choreographed by van Grona. A program and a news clipping refer to performances honoring the company, 1981 and 1983.
Subject
  1. African American dancers
  2. Grona, Eugene van
  3. Dance companies > New York (State) > New York
  4. African American dance > New York (State) > New York
  5. African Americans in the performing arts > New York (State) > New York
  6. Dance companies > United States
  7. Ballet companies > New York (State) > New York
  8. Dance, Black
  9. Scrapbooks
  10. Choreographers > New York (State) > New York
  11. Black author
  12. Ballet dancers > New York (State) > New York
  13. American Negro Ballet Company
Genre/Form
  1. Scrapbooks.
Call number
  1. Sc MG 519
Note
  1. Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.
Source (note)
  1. Beryl Clarke James
Biography (note)
  1. The American Negro Ballet Company was formed by Eugene van Grona in 1937. Van Grona, a modern dancer trained by German choreographer Mary Wigman, immigrated to the United States in 1925. He formed the ANB, composed of thirty African-American dancers, among them Lavinia Williams and Al Bledger, to showcase their talents as serious dance artists capable of more than jazz dancing.
  2. The American Negro Ballet Company debuted at Harlem's Lafayette Theater on November 21, 1937. The company's original program opened with "Harlem Symphony", both composed and conducted by James P. Johnson. Wen Talbert conducted for the rest of the evening. The program also included Stravinsky's "Firebird" as well as pieces choreographed by van Grona to the music of Duke Ellington and W. C. Handy. The premier was a critical and popular success, however, the American Negro Ballet Company survived for barely a year before its demise in 1938. Van Grona re-formed the company as "Von Grona's American Swing Ballet" in 1939, when they appeared in producer Lew Leslie's "Blackbirds of 1939" as well as other venues.
Author
  1. American Negro Ballet Company.
Title
  1. American Negro Ballet Company scrapbook, 1937-1983 (bulk 1937-1938).
Biography
  1. The American Negro Ballet Company was formed by Eugene van Grona in 1937. Van Grona, a modern dancer trained by German choreographer Mary Wigman, immigrated to the United States in 1925. He formed the ANB, composed of thirty African-American dancers, among them Lavinia Williams and Al Bledger, to showcase their talents as serious dance artists capable of more than jazz dancing.
  2. The American Negro Ballet Company debuted at Harlem's Lafayette Theater on November 21, 1937. The company's original program opened with "Harlem Symphony", both composed and conducted by James P. Johnson. Wen Talbert conducted for the rest of the evening. The program also included Stravinsky's "Firebird" as well as pieces choreographed by van Grona to the music of Duke Ellington and W. C. Handy. The premier was a critical and popular success, however, the American Negro Ballet Company survived for barely a year before its demise in 1938. Van Grona re-formed the company as "Von Grona's American Swing Ballet" in 1939, when they appeared in producer Lew Leslie's "Blackbirds of 1939" as well as other venues.
Connect to:
  1. NYPL Digital Collections
  2. Finding Aid
Local subject
  1. Black author.
Research call number
  1. Sc MG 519
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