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April 29 is International Dance Day, in case you didn’t know. It’s so placed on the calendar to celebrate the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet. That’s according to the International Theatre Institute, the founder and creator of IDD. Here are seven films that each celebrate the art of dance in their own special way.
“Dirty Dancing” – Way up in the Catskills, Francis “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) learns more than the meringue from resident hunky dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). When Johnny’s is looking for a dance partner for the big, summer-ending dance, Baby steps in, falls in love and learns to fly.
“Black Swan” – Natalie Portman plays Nina, a passionate, talented, obsessive dancer in Darren Aronofsky’s dark psychological thriller. As a replacement for the previous prima ballerina, Nina fixates on the possibility of being replaced, personified by newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis).
Scene from “Happy Feet” (Warner Bros. Pictures photo)
“Happy Feet” – Elijah Wood voices Mumble, an Emperor penguin who can dance but not sing. This is a problem, because Emperor penguins find their soul mate by each casting a unique heartsong. Mumble stumbles his way through courtship, attempting to win the heart of Gloria (Brittney Murphy) while standing up for his own unique heartsong.
“Billy Elliot” – The story of an 11-year-old English boy (played by Jamie Bell) who is sent by his miner father to a gym to learn boxing and instead gravitates instantly to a dance class – an artform at which he excels. His father and family, as well as the townspeople, must band together to give this special young man a shot at the future he richly deserves.
“You Got Served” – Marques Houston and Omari “Omarion” Grandberry star as Elgin and David, two street dancers and friends who have the opportunity to participate in a dance competition for a $50k prize and a spot in a Lil’ Kim video (who performs as herself).
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Straight-laced Janey (Sarah Jessica Parker) is an Army brat, Catholic schoolgirl and classically trained dancer obsessed with the local “Dance TV” show and a contest to add a new dancing couple to their lineup. Helen Hunt plays Lynne, a wild-spirit enabling friend who covers for Janey while she works out a routine (and some bad girl feelings) for local hunk Jeff (Lee Montgomery).
“Footloose” – Kevin Bacon plays Ren MacCormack, a heck of a teen dream who sullenly relocates from Chicago to a small town. There, he must appeal to the gods – and the local minister (John Lithgow) and town council – to allow the high-school students to hold a senior prom, in a town where dancing has been banned as leading youth astray. He enlists the help of the minister’s lovely daughter (Lori Singer), a rebel spirit with an angel’s heart.
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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