Chuck Davis (dancer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chuck Davis
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Chuck Davis in 2010
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Charles Rudolph Davis
January 1, 1937 Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Died | May 14, 2017 (aged 80) Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Education | John W. Ligon High School |
| Alma mater | Howard University |
| Occupation | Dancer, choreographer, activist |
Charles Rudolph Davis, also known as Baba Chuck Davis, was a famous American dancer and choreographer. He was born on January 1, 1937, and passed away on May 14, 2017. His dance work focused on traditional African dance.
Baba Chuck Davis founded several important dance groups. These include DanceAfrica, the Chuck Davis Dance Company, and the African American Dance Ensemble. He helped share the beauty of African dance with many people.
Early Life and Dance Beginnings
Charles Rudolph Davis was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on January 1, 1937. His parents were Tony and Ethel Davis. He finished John W. Ligon High School in 1954.
After high school, he joined the United States Navy for two years. He also worked as a hospital helper at Bethesda Naval Hospital. While working there, he discovered his love for African dance. He would dance to live Afro-Cuban mambo and salsa music.
A manager at the Dunbar Hotel saw him dance. They asked him to join the hotel's show. This led him to join an African dance group. He then went to Howard University to study theater and dance. He learned ballet, jazz, and tap dancing. He also studied Caribbean dance styles. In 1963, he took part in the historic March on Washington.
A Career in Dance
Chuck Davis started the Chuck Davis Dance Company in New York City in 1968. He later founded DanceAfrica in 1977. In 1983, he created the African American Dance Ensemble in Durham, North Carolina.
While living in New York, he taught dance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In 1974, he became a teacher at the American Dance Festival. He traveled to Africa more than fifty times to learn different African dance techniques. This helped him bring authentic African dance to his groups.
Davis was a judge for the National Endowment for the Arts. He received many awards for his work. These included the North Carolina Dance Alliance Award and the North Carolina Award in Fine Arts. He was also given the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
He served on the board of the North Carolina Arts Council from 1991 until he passed away. He helped create the NC Black Folk Heritage Tour. In 1996, he received a large grant for the African American Dance Ensemble. He also taught as a professor at North Carolina Central University and Duke University. In 2014, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bessie Awards.
Beyond dance, Davis was a key leader in the African-American community in Durham. He led the annual Kwanzaa celebration at the Hayti Heritage Center. He was also the grand marshal for one of Durham's first Mardi Gras parades. He also performed as a featured dancer for the Eleo Pomare Dance Company.
Legacy and Remembrance
Chuck Davis passed away from cancer on May 14, 2017. Many people gathered to celebrate his life. A community celebration was held at the Hayti Heritage Center.
His amazing work was honored at the 48th annual Bimbé Festival. It was also celebrated at the 82nd season of the American Dance Festival in 2017.
In July 2019, Davis was added to the Wake County Public School System's Hall of Fame. This was a special honor given after his death. He was also recognized in Durham for his important contributions to the city. He was one of 29 people honored for shaping Durham in important ways.
