“I’ll leave afew creationsto show thatI wasdancin’ by”

THE

FRED ASTAIRECONFERENCE

ORIEL COLLEGE OXFORD UK 21–24 JUNE 2008

FRED ASTAIRE (1899–1987) had a career that few entertainers have matched forvariety, longevity, and supremacy. The great high Modernist of twentieth-century dance,George Balanchine, described him as ‘the most interesting, the most inventive, the mostelegant dancer of our times.’ But Astaire was not only a peerless dancer and technician,who revolutionized the art of dance on film and influenced generations ofchoreographers. He was a man of many parts: an actor of some subtlety and nuance; asinger, who decried his own vocal prowess but who introduced more Great AmericanSongs than any other performer; an innate musician, adept at several instruments, whowrote a tune that made the hit parade; and a notorious perfectionist and painstakingcraftsman remembered for his on-screen embodiment of blithe insouciance. He waspersonally a shy and unassuming man with a professed aversion to nostalgia andretrospective analysis. Yet his impact on world culture was profound. As JeromeRobbins once remarked: ‘He infused our souls with the visions that he made.’

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This three-day residential conference at Oxford University will be the first-ever devotedto an examination of Astaire’s life and legacy, to a celebration of his unique artistry andachievement. In addition to our special guests, Ava Astaire McKenzie (daughter of FredAstaire) and her husband Richard, the event will feature an international assembly ofAstaire experts, among them writers, performers, choreographers, and historians ofdance, theatre, and film. Friends and colleagues of Mr Astaire will also be appearing.The programme will comprise a lively mix of scholarly papers, personal reminiscences,panel discussions, and live performances. There will also be an exclusive screening ofthe only existing footage of Fred Astaire on stage (in Gay Divorce). Topics to bediscussed include: Astaire as dancer and choreographer; as singer and recording artist; ascomposer and pianist; as dramatic actor in films such as The Sky’s the Limit and On theBeach; Astaire’s Austrian roots; his legendary partnership with sister Adèle; his workwith African-American musicians; and his influence on Balanchine, Robbins, andAshton. Proceedings will conclude with a special musical performance of the FredAstaire Songbook in Oxford’s elegant and historic Holywell Music Room.

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Oriel College is the fifth oldest college in Oxford University. It was founded in 1326 byKing Edward II. The College’s official title is ‘The Home of the Blessed Mary theVirgin in Oxford, commonly called Oriel College, of the Foundation of Edward theSecond of famous memory, sometime King of England.’ Oriel College stands in thecentre of the University area on the High Street.

Holywell Music Room is the oldest custom-built concert hall in the world. It opened itsdoors to the public for the first time in 1748. Handel and Mozart are among the manyfamous composers and musicians to have appeared here.

SPECIAL GUESTS: AVA ASTAIRE MCKENZIE & RICHARD MCKENZIE

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS INCLUDE:Prof. John Mueller (The Ohio State University), author of Astaire Dancing

Ken Barnes (Founder & CEO, The Laureate Company), producer of Astairerecordings in London

Larry Billman (President & Founder, The Academy of Dance on Film), author ofFred Astaire: A Bio-Bibliography

PERFORMERS INCLUDE:Jeffry Denman, David Benson, Ben Sears & Brad Conner

CONFERENCE DIRECTORS: Kathleen Riley & Christine Bamberger

Registration fee: £175 (includes entry to all conference sessions and performances, butexcludes residential accommodation).

Accommodation at Oriel includes full board at very reasonable rates.

Registrations close 15 January 2008.

Places are strictly limited. To avoid disappointment, early booking is essential.

To request a registration form, please e-mail astaire@herald.ox.ac.uk or return theform below.

……………………………………………………………………………FRED ASTAIRE t THE CONFERENCE

ORIEL COLLEGE OXFORD 21–24 JUNE 2008

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Mail to: Dr. Kathleen Riley, Corpus Christi College,Merton Street, Oxford OX1 4JF, United Kingdom