Jeni legon biography of donald
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Hooray for Jeni LeGon: description Hollywood frontierswoman who “danced like a boy”
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With swinging arms and flashy legwork, Jeni LeGon could tap her way onto any stage or screen. Her lively eyes and enchanting smile put audiences in a good mood. Less polished than her white counterparts like Ann Miller and Eleanor Powell, she was more inviting, more joyful. There was a freedom to the way her limbs expanded a bit too much, her energy spilling over. When she rose up in a toe stand, it was as though sheer effervescence pulled her up.
Publicity shot, Smithsonian Papers
The first Black woman to sign a long-term contract with a major Hollywood studio, LeGon was caught between Hollywood’s ambivalent attempt at inclusion and the racism that was everywhere. If MGM had followed through on that contract, there would be a cluster of good movie musicals starring Jeni LeGon. But the opportunities she had to shine were mostly limited to low-budget Black musicals. Luckily, we can treasure glimpses of them on YouTube.
Jeni LeGon (née Jennie Ligon) grew up in a large, musical family on Chicago’s South Side. As a child, she took a few dance lessons at the Mary Bruce’s School of Dancing, but mostly she learned to tap in neighborhood theaters. In those days there was a stage show and a movie, and both would repeat. Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway would tour to one of th
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Jeni LeGon’s Legacy at Kits House
Jeni LeGon, a celebrated dancer and performer of the 1930s and 1940s, left a lasting mark on the entertainment world with her talent and charisma. In the later years of her career, LeGon also became a fixture at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House.
Known for her dynamic tap dancing and versatile performances, LeGon shared the stage with iconic figures such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Cab Calloway, and Fred Astaire.
In 1969, with the help of two former students, LeGon moved to Vancouver and made a new home at Kits House. Here, she established a dance school and formed a youth tap group called Troupe One. This group became known for performing in hospitals and senior homes throughout the area.
LeGon’s commitment to the local community extended beyond teaching; she also led a jazz group in the mid-1980s called Jazz Cinq. This ensemble played classics by Duke Ellington and Cole Porter, as well as the blues, with LeGon herself singing, dancing, and playing various instruments, including conga drums and timbals. LeGon also participated in the Kitsilano Theatre Company (KTC), performing regularly in its productions.
The contributions that LeGon made to the arts were recognized by prestigious institutions like the Black Film Makers Hall of Fame and