6:00 pm:
Doors Open
Discover the life and legacy of Springfield’s own Eleanor Powell — Hollywood’s Queen of Tap — whose dazzling career defined an era of American entertainment.
This one-time tribute will honor one of the most celebrated tap dancers in the world, and the city that shaped her. The Celebration of Eleanor Powell will take place on Thursday, May 28th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. The program is FREE.
Why Eleanor Powell? Why Springfield?
Eleanor Powell — star of Born to Dance, Broadway Melody of 1940, Rosalie, and Lady Be Good, among others — was born, raised, and first learned to dance right here in Springfield, MA.
Born to a young single mother of modest means, Powell struggled with shyness as a child. Her mother enrolled her in dance classes at a studio on Worthington Street, and Eleanor blossomed. She soon began performing at local venues and teaching the youngest students in her class.
At just 12- years old, Powell was “discovered” while doing acrobatics on the beach at Atlantic City. From supper clubs to the Broadway stage, she went on to become one of Hollywood’s brightest and most distinctive stars.
During her Hollywood years, Powell appeared opposite some of the era’s greatest male stars — Fred Astaire, Robert Taylor, Nelson Eddy, Red Skelton, George Murphy, and Buddy Ebsen — and performed with the legendary Big Bands of the 1940’s, including those of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, and Woody Herman.
Though her most celebrated partnership was with Fred Astaire, Powell was above all a solo performer. All of her numbers were choreographed by Powell herself, combining remarkable athleticism with the grace and strength she developed through years of early ballet training. Her creativity and unique concepts made each of her numbers unlike anything else on screen.
In recent years, Powell has earned a new generation of admirers through the wide availability of her dance numbers on YouTube — a testament to the enduring power of her artistry.
The program features guest speaker Lisa Royère, co-author of the definitive biography Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance (University Press of Kentucky, 2023). Royère’s illustrated presentation will weave together carefully selected dance clips with commentary and anecdotes drawn from years of original research. A Q&A session and book signing will follow.
This event is made possible through a grant from the Springfield Cultural Council to In the Spotlight, Inc., and co-sponsored by HOPE Center for the Arts, 150 Bridge Street, Springfield.
HOPE Center for the Arts is wheelchair accessible with parking available at the parking garage attached to the building. Doors open at 6 pm. No tickets needed, general seating.
For information, email spotlightinc@verizon.net. In the “subject line” type Eleanor Powell.
