July 3: Today in Dance

Born Today: Eddie Torres

Dancer Eddie Torres (1950-) known affectionately as The Mambo King, is a renowned teacher of New York style salsa dance and his technique has the dancers start on the second count of the music. Torres learned how to dance salsa by watching other dancers in clubs and gained a dance partner, his future wife Maria Torres. In 1980, Tito Puente agreed to allow them to perform a number in his show, leading to a long-term creative relationship. Torres, with some prodding from ballroom dance teacher June Laberta, is credited with codifying salsa steps and creating a syllabus for teaching salsa dance.

Also Born Today: Powerhouse dancer/composer George M. Cohan (1878–1942) is known for songs such as Give My Regards to Broadway and Over There, and for developing American musical comedy in the early years of the 20th century, writing and producing over 50 plays, musicals, and revues he wrote from 1904–1920. Dancer Syvilla Fort (1917–1975) danced with Katherine Dunham (1909–2006) and founded her own studio, fusing modern dance and Dunham Technique. She also danced to the first piece by composer John Cage on “prepared piano”.

— — —

Dance Premiere: The Green Table in 1932

TV Premiere: Hamilton July 3, 2020

— — —

Check out more about dance at: https://www.dawndavisloring.com/todayindance

Dawn Davis Loring is delighted to announce the publication of her first book on dance: Dance Appreciation, co-authored by Julie L. Pentz. Available from **Human Kinetics and from [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Appreciation-Dawn-Loring-ebook/dp/B08K3Z66QL/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=dance+appreciation&qid=1612362398&sr=8-5)** and other booksellers.