Lose Yourself to Dance Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cyd Charisse

Cyd Charisse danced for over sixty years. She was paired with both Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. Charisse worked on film, television and on Broadway and performed well into her 80s. This lovely lady was considered one of Hollywood's premier dancers, known for her ability to dance to almost any type of music and in almost any style.

Answer: Rudolf Nureyev

One of the Soviet Union's most prized ballet dancers, Nureyev was known for being rebellious and out-spoken. While in Paris, in 1961, he managed to defect, and signed with the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas. He did not return to his home country until 1987, when he was allowed to visit his dying mother. Famous world-wide for his strength and grace, Nureyev was partnered, at one time or another, with most of the prima-ballerinas of the world.

He danced with Margot Fonteyn for almost 30 years despite her being almost 20 years older than he was.

Answer: Gregory Hines

Gregory Hines was a gifted performer, known for his skills as a tap dancer, an actor, a singer, and as a choreographer. His 1992 portrayal of Jelly Roll Morton in "Jelly's Last Jam" helped him win a Tony Award. He starred in his own sitcom "The Gregory Hines Show" in 1997 and made his movie debut in the Mel Brooks comedy film "History of the World, Part 1" in 1981.

Despite his success on television and in movies, Hines always considered himself to be, first and foremost, a dancer.

Answer: The Lawrence Welk Show

Bobby Burgess began performing song and dance routines as a child. In 1955, when he was nine he was chosen to be one of the original Mouseketeers on the new television show "The Mickey Mouse Club". In 1961 he became a regular on the popular musical variety program "The Lawrence Welk Show" where he was a regular performer until the show ended in 1978. Burgess was a ballroom dancer with a great repertoire.

After leaving television, he went on to teach his skills to younger dancers in his own dance studio. During its long television run "The Lawrence Welk Show" had regular performances of tap dancing, ballroom dancing, and the occasional modern dance act.

It also featured classical and jazz musicians.

Answer: Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a singer/tap dancer who went on to act on both television and in film. He started performing in vaudeville at the age of three and starred in his first film "Rufus Jones for President" in 1933. This talented performer was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for his television performances and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously.

Answer: False

Popular in the early part of the 20th century, Vernon and Irene Castle were known for their skills as ballroom dancers, not as ballet dancers. They are often credited with helping to popularize the Foxtrot, the Turkey Trot and the Tango. They made their first Broadway performance in 1914 in the musical "Watch Your Step".

They helped bring ragtime, and jazz into what was, at that time, considered to be "polite white society". Their careers together ended with the death of Vernon Castle in an airplane accident at the age of 30.

Answer: Bojangles

Robinson started tap dancing for pay at the age of five. The nickname Bojangles was a reference to his lively and upbeat personality. He performed in vaudeville, musical stage, and film. One of his most memorable movies was the 1935 film "The Little Colonel" with child star Shirley Temple. Robinson helped introduce a new style of tap dancing which involved more intricate steps and less upper body movement.

He was known for dancing on his toes which was a change from the flat-footed style which had been popular for years.

Answer: Irish stepdance

Michael Flatley is an American Irish dancer who became internationally famous with his dance programs such as "Riverdance", "Lord of the Dance" and "Celtic Tiger". This style of dancing is a variation of tap dance involving very intricate step work. Flatley set a Guinness Book world record by tapping an amazing 28 taps per second.

Answer: Isadora Duncan

Considered to be a pioneer in the field of contemporary dance, Isadora Duncan was known for dancing barefoot in a flowing and somewhat provocative style. She espoused a loose style of dance that focused on emotion and grace. Many of her dances and costumes had a distinctly Grecian touch to them.

Although born in the U.S., she lived most of her adult life in Russia. Her style of modern dance involved running, skipping and hopping that was new and unusual. Her use of provocative music and costumes led to her being called an exotic dancer.

While this term is sometimes used to describe strip dance, Duncan was not a stripper but rather an innovative theatrical dancer.

Answer: False

Did I get you with this one? The description is of the dancer Mata Hari (1876-1917). Gypsy Rose Lee (1911-1970) was a burlesque dancer who became famous for her provocative strip tease act. She acted on television, stage and in the movies. She was a published author as well.

She attempted to portray the burlesque style of dance as a legitimate dance style, and was, in a limited sense, successful.