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By JOSEPH DALTON, Special to the Times Union
First published in print: Sunday, May 2, 2010
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=927172&category=REGION
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The late Michael Jackson will be inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame during events Aug. 14 and 15 at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs. The posthumous honor to the King of Pop is the first time a figure from rock and roll is so honored.
Since the Hall of Fame was established in 1987, 43 dancers and choreographers have been inducted, primarily from the fields of ballet and modern dance. The ranks include George Balanchine, Martha Graham and Bronislava Nijinska as well as Fred Astaire and tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. The most recent honorees are Broadway star Tommy Tune and New York City Ballet chief Peter Martins.
The Jackson tribute comes on the heels of a controversial effort two years ago to induct John Travolta. Disagreement and strife arose among the museum's board, advisers and management about whether Travolta, primarily a film actor, deserved such an honor. But there were also complaints about the manner in which the nomination was handled.
Everyone is on board for Michael Jackson, says Michele Riggi, board chairman for the last five years. That includes the nominating committee, which is led by Denise Limoli, a retired dancer with the American Ballet Theatre currently on the faculty of Skidmore College.
"We want to include dance greats like those already inducted but also up-to-date dancers known by the broader public," says Riggi. "That will help get people into the museum where they can be educated on the greats that aren't so popular or well-known. We want a museum that's more exciting and popular."
The August celebrations will begin with the annual gala to be followed the next day by the induction ceremony. According to Riggi, the museum has reached out to the Michael Jackson estate, but no word has come as to whether any family members will attend. Scheduled to perform an homage to Jackson at the gala are the Lombard Twins, a young Argentine duo who Riggi says danced for the pop star in the years before his death.
Beyond the past difficulties with the Travolta nomination, the Dance Museum has been considered an unstable institution for many years, primarily due to a revolving door of administrators. At the helm of day-to-day management for the last two years has been Donna Skiff. She began there 10 years ago, first helping out with booking rentals for weddings and other special events.
"I worked for four different directors," says Skiff, referring to past managers who came primarily from the world of dance. "I'm a businesswoman, and that's what I think the museum has lacked in the past."
Skiff leads a staff of two other full-timers and three part-timers. During the summer's peak tourist season, about 40 volunteers are also on hand. According to Skiff, the museum's annual budget of about $450,000 comes from grants, rentals and tuition for its school of dance.
Currently on view is a redesigned display for the Hall of Fame, and exhibits on the Ballet Russes, the Japanese modern style known as Butoh, and dancers on postage stamps from around the world. The children's wing is undergoing a renovation, funded by a new grant, and Riggi says plans are under way to add a 50-seat theater.
"The museum has never looked so beautiful," says Riggi, a Saratoga Springs resident and full-time philanthropist. She adds that Travolta's induction is still in the works. And she has some other ideas.
"Perhaps 'Dancing with the Stars' will be inducted into our Hall of Fame," she says, referring to the TV series that showcases B-list celebrities on the ballroom dance floor. "It's the most popular show on television right now," says Riggi.
The National Museum of Dance is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Starting May 18, the hours will be 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For information on the August gala, call 584-2225.
A regular contributor to the Times Union, Joseph Dalton is the author of "Artists & Activists: Making Culture in New York's Capital Region."
First published in print: Sunday, May 2, 2010
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=927172&category=REGION
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The late Michael Jackson will be inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame during events Aug. 14 and 15 at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs. The posthumous honor to the King of Pop is the first time a figure from rock and roll is so honored.
Since the Hall of Fame was established in 1987, 43 dancers and choreographers have been inducted, primarily from the fields of ballet and modern dance. The ranks include George Balanchine, Martha Graham and Bronislava Nijinska as well as Fred Astaire and tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. The most recent honorees are Broadway star Tommy Tune and New York City Ballet chief Peter Martins.
The Jackson tribute comes on the heels of a controversial effort two years ago to induct John Travolta. Disagreement and strife arose among the museum's board, advisers and management about whether Travolta, primarily a film actor, deserved such an honor. But there were also complaints about the manner in which the nomination was handled.
Everyone is on board for Michael Jackson, says Michele Riggi, board chairman for the last five years. That includes the nominating committee, which is led by Denise Limoli, a retired dancer with the American Ballet Theatre currently on the faculty of Skidmore College.
"We want to include dance greats like those already inducted but also up-to-date dancers known by the broader public," says Riggi. "That will help get people into the museum where they can be educated on the greats that aren't so popular or well-known. We want a museum that's more exciting and popular."
The August celebrations will begin with the annual gala to be followed the next day by the induction ceremony. According to Riggi, the museum has reached out to the Michael Jackson estate, but no word has come as to whether any family members will attend. Scheduled to perform an homage to Jackson at the gala are the Lombard Twins, a young Argentine duo who Riggi says danced for the pop star in the years before his death.
Beyond the past difficulties with the Travolta nomination, the Dance Museum has been considered an unstable institution for many years, primarily due to a revolving door of administrators. At the helm of day-to-day management for the last two years has been Donna Skiff. She began there 10 years ago, first helping out with booking rentals for weddings and other special events.
"I worked for four different directors," says Skiff, referring to past managers who came primarily from the world of dance. "I'm a businesswoman, and that's what I think the museum has lacked in the past."
Skiff leads a staff of two other full-timers and three part-timers. During the summer's peak tourist season, about 40 volunteers are also on hand. According to Skiff, the museum's annual budget of about $450,000 comes from grants, rentals and tuition for its school of dance.
Currently on view is a redesigned display for the Hall of Fame, and exhibits on the Ballet Russes, the Japanese modern style known as Butoh, and dancers on postage stamps from around the world. The children's wing is undergoing a renovation, funded by a new grant, and Riggi says plans are under way to add a 50-seat theater.
"The museum has never looked so beautiful," says Riggi, a Saratoga Springs resident and full-time philanthropist. She adds that Travolta's induction is still in the works. And she has some other ideas.
"Perhaps 'Dancing with the Stars' will be inducted into our Hall of Fame," she says, referring to the TV series that showcases B-list celebrities on the ballroom dance floor. "It's the most popular show on television right now," says Riggi.
The National Museum of Dance is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Starting May 18, the hours will be 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For information on the August gala, call 584-2225.
A regular contributor to the Times Union, Joseph Dalton is the author of "Artists & Activists: Making Culture in New York's Capital Region."
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