20th-century Dancer Quotes

Fred Astaire

John Travolta

James Cagney

Margot Fonteyn

Betty Ford

Merce Cunningham

Gregory Hines

Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.

Outside of my family, the prime concern of my life has been nature and its order, and how we have been savagely altering that order.

Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional. Words and threats are just as painful as fists, especially with social media these days. For those of you who don't know, I was actually bullied as a young boy on one occasion,

There is no such thing as freedom without discipline. The one who is free is disciplined.

Are you a stingy breather? Well, don't be. Be extravagant with you breathing and come fully alive.

I was born in Lucknow 1938, 4 February. It was Friday. A hot day as it usually happens in spring... in that home where I was born there were only girls. I was the only boy. So our neighbours came saw that that there were all girls and just one boy... like Krishna and gopis they used to say. So my name became Brijmohan Misra. Brij is the name of the city where Krishna was born and 'Mohan 'means attraction. Brijmohan is a way of saying Krishna, the god of love and dance.

Marriage was the best business deal I ever made. After that, Jesus of Nazareth and The Muppets.

I don't believe in doing everything and being mediocre at all of them. I believe in being good at one thing

We saw that amazing documentary 'Forks Over Knives' and that cleared everything up for us. Every Sunday we're going to the farmers market now, getting our fresh fruits and veggies. It's just two weeks, but we feel much better. I love animals. I don't want to eat them.

Carrie Ann Inaba

I know very well that I'm not the dancer that Danny is. He's on a completely different level. For the last four years, I've known who he is, and I just wanted to talk to him. So standing there with him tonight [as the final two] was the craziest thing.

On lesbianism:

I can understand two men. There is something to get hold of. But how do two insides make love?

A toe shoe is as eccentric as the ballerina who wears it: their marriage is a commitment.

[I miss] the warmth of the [Italian] people: it is very easy to communicate with them, while the French are not such extroverts. On the other hand, there is a vibrant film industry in France: at least two hundred films are produced there, and the job opportunities are many. Unfortunately, the Italian film industry does not compare.

Alessandra Martines

I wish I had your confidence... without your viewpoint.

Each action taken in this world has its echo in the heart.

Gelsey Kirkland

Jumps and turns aren't hard; artistry is. To create a whole new world for the audience, that's the fantasy of ballet.

It is the body, subject to the harmony of the steps it is executing, which speaks. And it speaks to the heart in as direct a language as does music.

Natalia Makarova

It's hard to make a cultural phenomenon every time.

You can make it, but it's easier if you don't have to do it alone.

Strictly has just given me a real zest for life. Life is so short. We should all grasp it.

I do not subscribe to the theory that when a popular member of the company leaves, it is the end of the world — that things will never be the same again. Of course they won't, for each artist leaves something of himself or herself in a role.

John Reed (actor)

Light or luminosity is created by the way elements are juxtaposed. They become reflective and a radiance comes from putting different things together.

Merce Cunningham

We dance with our bodies, but we finally forget them and transform them.

Rukmini Devi Arundale

So many people dwell on negativity and I've survived by ignoring it: it dims your light and it's harder each time to turn the power up again.

'Indian', [mom said], you will write Indian. And if they have a problem with that let them come and talk to me. They have no business asking you your religion. How is that the basis for an educational qualification?