Lazar Dano

Dance Theatre of Harlem
San Francisco Ballet: Guest (1967)

Lazar Dano was one of the founding members of Dance Theatre of Harlem. Dano’s repertoire with the company included Arthur Mitchell’s Holberg Suite, Rhythmetron, and Fête Noire. He performed in the 1964 Lincoln Center revival of The King and I. In the winter of 1967, Dano appeared with San Francisco Ballet. He performed in the “Arabian Dance” alongside partner Diana Davis. The Los Angeles Times called the pair “commendably sinuous and sensuous.” The Sacramento Bee said that Dano, “magnetic, muscular and proud, [was] electrifying.”

Dano married fellow DTH member Olinda Davis, whom he later divorced. Still in New York, together they ran an exercise center for pregnant women.

Sources:

Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theatre of Harlem, Jacob’s Pillow
Lazar Dano, Broadway World
A New ‘Nutcracker,’ The Sacramento Bee
S. F. Ballet Performs ‘Nutcracker,’ Independent
‘Nutcracker’ Ballet Playing at Shrine, The Los Angeles Times
Where Are They Now?, Newsday

See also:

1970: Dance Theatre of Harlem Debuts at Jacob’s Pillow