International Dance Day with Leslie Caron

Born in 1931 to a chemist father and a retired ballerina mother, Leslie Caron began taking dance lessons at the age of 11. Dedication to the craft and natural ability caused her to be counted among the best ballerinas in France by the time she was 16. When she was 18, she was "drafted" into films by Gene Kelly, who wanted a top-notch co-star for the musical/dance extravaganza "An American in Paris" (1951). 

Caron's screen presence and acting abilities were as remarkable as her dancing, and she soon became as big a star in Hollywood musicals as she had been on the stages of Paris. She spent the 1950s and 1960s in big-budget musicals. As the 1970s dawned, she made a successful transition into dramatic roles and was among the few musical stars who kept her career growing after that film genre fell out of favor.

For more than eight decades, Caron has graced us with her poise and beauty and talent on the big screen, on television, and on stage (with her most recent role being in the Swedish made-for-TV movie "Written on Water" (2020).

We're present this small gallery of images in celebration of Caron, as well as International Dance Day.

It's International Dance Day AND Arbor Day!

This year, International Dance Day coincides with Arbor Day, so some of the ballerinas who ran off to dance their way through the wide world are spending it with the trees that have become their friends.

Others are dancing with or for their mighty friends...
 

 

... and some, like Irena, are communing with the spirits of trees long gone.

A few of them did return to Shades of Gray HQ for some slightly more traditional International Dance Day activities...

 

 

 

But the question now is... how long will they stay?

What are the dancers up to?

On International Dance Day 2022, the ballerinas ran off into the wild. We're trying to keep track of them, and we'll try to bring you updates on the last Wednesday of each month until International Dance Day 2023.

Today is laundry day!

 

It's three days until International Dance Day 2023... what will happen?!

The ballerinas are gathering...

... for International Dance Day at the end of the month! Soon, they'll be back with us at Shades of Gray.

Some are getting here on their feet.

 
Others are arriving in cabs, but still on their feet!

 
 

Observing Good Friday with Jesus and Mo!

THIS WEEK WITH JESUS & MO

And to make this observation of the longest three-day weekend in history picture perfect, we present a pair of appropriate photos.

 

The gathering has begun....

International Dance Day is coming at the end of the month. The runaway dancers are making their way home for the celebration!

 

Fanny Friday

In 1927--the year this week's Flapper Fanny cartoon was originally published--the U.S. was fully engulfed by the Black Bottom dance craze. For more information, and to see demonstrations, check out this previous Shades of Gray post.

What are the dancers doing now that it's Spring?

On International Dance Day 2022, the ballerinas ran off into the wild. We're trying to keep track of them, and we'll try to bring you updates on the last Wednesday of each month until International Dance Day 2023.

And now that winter is ending, and Spring has arrived, we're checking in to see what's up with the ballerinas.

We have discovered that some are dancing around their favorite trees, encouraging leaves to grow. (While also demonstrating the Unifying Theme here at Shades of Gray.)

Some of the ballerinas have also come back inside, so they can properly prepare for International Dance Day 2023, which is one month away!

It's officially Spring!

Everybody say "thank you" to MacKenzie Richter for, once again, pushing back the cold winds of winter! Jack Frost knows not to mess with her!

It's National Cat Day (in Japan)!

Feb. 22 (2/22) is National Cat Day in Japan. This day was chosen by the nation to celebrate the greatest animals on planet Earth, because the date (2/22) sounds to Japanese ears like a cat meowing--nyan-nyan-nyan, which "two-two-two" in Japanese.

Here are some pictures of ladies and their pussies in observation of this very special day!