Charles Moore (dancer) facts for kids

Charles Moore (born May 22, 1928 – died January 23, 1986) was an amazing African-American dancer, choreographer (someone who creates dances), and teacher. He also started his own dance company, The Charles Moore Dance Theatre, in Brooklyn, New York.

Charles Moore's Early Life

Charles Moore was born in Cleveland, Ohio. When he was a kid, he sang as a solo singer in churches. He also studied singing at the Karamu House, which was an arts center close to his home. This center celebrated African-American culture through different art forms.

One day, at Severance Hall in Cleveland, Moore saw a West African dancer and choreographer named Asadata Dafora perform a dance called the Ostrich Dance. This performance really inspired him to start dancing himself! Moore later said he would "never forget that first glimpse of Africa."

In 1948, Moore moved to New York City. He received a special scholarship for dance from Charles Weidman. In New York, he began to study many types of dance. He learned ballet, modern dance, and African dance. His teachers included famous dancers like Charles Weidman, Asadata Dafora, Pearl Primus, and Katherine Dunham. He also learned from Nigerian dancers M. Olatunji and S. Ilori, and Ghanaian dancers Kobla Ladzekpo and A. Opoku. From 1952 to 1960, Moore was part of Katherine Dunham's dance company.

Charles Moore's Dance Career

In 1959, Charles Moore started teaching Katherine Dunham's dance style in New York City. He taught at several places, including the Clark Center, the New Dance Group Studio, and for groups like Harlem Youth Activities. He also taught at colleges like Hunter College, Medgar Evers College, and City College.

In 1974, Moore started two important groups: the Charles Moore Center for Ethnic Studies and Dances and Drums of Africa. Through Dances and Drums of Africa, he brought back one of Asadata Dafora's most famous dances, "Awassa Astrige." Moore called his version "The Ostrich," and it became one of his most well-known performances. He also recreated many other traditional African dances, such as "Bundao," "Spear Dance," "Sacred Forest," and "African Congo."

Moore performed with many other dance companies too. These included companies led by Geoffrey Holder, Donald McKayle, Pearl Primus, Talley Beatty, Jean Leon Destiné, and Alvin Ailey. He also performed in many Broadway shows, like "Carmen Jones" and "House of Flowers." You might have even seen him on TV with famous people like Harry Belafonte, Sammy Davis Jr., and Lauren Bacall.

When he passed away, Moore was working on a dance piece called "Traces: An American Suite." His wife, Ella, later finished this work. Other choreographers, Eleanor Harris and Pepsi Bethel, added their own dance moves to it. After Moore's death, a dancer named Louis Johnson created a special dance called "Spirit, A Dance For Charles." This dance celebrated Moore's life and his dedication to African and Caribbean music.

The Charles Moore Dance Theatre

In 1974, Charles Moore and his wife Ella started the Charles Moore Center for Ethnic Studies in New York City. Moore used his dance company to bring back African dances that people thought were lost. He did this by mixing the techniques he learned from his teachers with his own ideas.

The Charles Moore Center for Ethnic Studies was special because it focused on recreating traditional African and Caribbean dances. It also brought back works by other African choreographers. Through his company, Moore invited many talented African dancers and musicians to perform in the United States. One of these was the master drummer, Chief Bay. Between 1974 and 1985, Moore's company traveled all over the country and even to other countries to perform.

Today, the Charles Moore Dance Theatre is one of the oldest non-profit Black Arts Organizations in Brooklyn. It continues to share the rich traditions of African and Caribbean dance.

Charles Moore's Personal Life

Charles Moore married Ella Thompson in 1960. Ella was also a dancer, and they met at the Dunham School of Dance and Theater. They had one son together, named Anthony.

On January 23, 1986, Charles Moore passed away at his home in Brooklyn. He was 58 years old and had been ill for a while.