American Negro Ballet Company scrapbook

Description data TOP

unitid

{"value"=>"20924", "type"=>"local_mss"}

{"value"=>"Sc MG 519", "type"=>"local_call"}

{"value"=>"b16762322", "type"=>"local_b"}

unitdate

{"value"=>"1937-1983", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1937/1983"}

{"value"=>"1937-1938", "type"=>"bulk", "normal"=>"1937/1938"}

unittitle

{"value"=>"American Negro Ballet Company scrapbook"}

physdesc

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 folder", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.01 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}

repository

{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division</span>"}

langmaterial

{"value"=>"English"}

origination

{"value"=>"American Negro Ballet Company", "type"=>"corpname"}

bioghist

{"value"=>"<p>The American Negro Ballet (ANB) Company was formed by <span class=\"persname\">Eugene van Grona</span> in 1934. Van Grona, a modern dancer trained by German choreographer <span class=\"persname\">Mary Wigman</span>, immigrated to the United States in 1925. He formed the ANB, composed of thirty African American dancers, among them <span class=\"persname\">Lavinia Williams</span> and <span class=\"persname\">Al Bledger</span>, to showcase their talents as serious dance artists capable of more than jazz dancing.</p> <p>The American Negro Ballet Company debuted at Harlem's Lafayette Theater on November 21, 1937. The company's original program opened with <span class=\"title\">Harlem Symphony</span>, both composed and conducted by James P. Johnson. <span class=\"persname\">Wen Talbert</span> conducted for the rest of the evening. The program also included Stravinsky's <span class=\"title\">Firebird</span> as well as pieces choreographed by van Grona to the music of <span class=\"persname\">Duke Ellington</span> and <span class=\"persname\">W. C. Handy</span>. 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 <span class=\"title\">Blackbirds of 1939</span> as well as other venues.</p>"}

scopecontent

{"value"=>"<p>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.</p>", "supress_display"=>true}

acqinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Gift of Beryl Clarke James, April 1985.</p>"}

separatedmaterial

{"value"=>"<p>Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: photographs.</p>"}

relatedmaterial

{"value"=>"<p> Other collections in the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture:</p> <p>Dean Dixon papers, Sc MG 324</p> <p>Lavinia Williams papers, Sc MG 659</p>"}

revisiondesc

{"value"=>"Finding aid updated by Lauren Stark.", "date"=>"2022 February 7"}

date_start

1937

keydate

1937

date_end

1983

date_inclusive_start

1937

date_inclusive_end

1983

date_bulk_start

1937

date_bulk_end

1938

prefercite

{"value"=>"[Item], American Negro Ballet Company scrapbook, Sc MG 519, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library"}

abstract

{"value"=>" 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.", "generated"=>true}

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