All About Capezio Dance Wear and Events

What is Capezio Dance Wear?
The Capezio dance wear brand is lauded as the most trusted makers of ballet footwear and dance gear in the world. Founded in 1887 by Italy-born Salvatore Capezio, the company began humbly in a store on Broadway and 39^th Street in New York City.

Capezio’s craftsmanship was recognized early on for when he was still a cobbler repairing shoes for the Met, a few decades before Capezio dance wear rose to popularity. His transition from cobbler to shoemaker happened after he made a pair of shoes for Jean De Reszke. Eventually dancers gathered at his shop on Broadway and talked with Salvatore about preferences for their dance shoes. His wide Angelina Passone, a La Scala alumna, was one of the regulars at his shop. Capezio’s status rose after the great ballerina Anna Pavlova bought a pair of shoes for herself and eventually used Capezio shoes for her dance company in 1910.

The company is not just involved in making accessories and shoes but is also part of the art of dance itself. Capezio has partnered with the Peridance Center, which provides a wide range of dance instruction. Founded in 1983, the Peridance Capezio Center has a graded children’s dance program, an Open Adult Class and an intensive Foreign Student Program. Peridance first began holding their innovative dance classes in Union Square in New York.

Upcoming Events at the Peridance Capezio Center
Peridance Capezio Center is holding their bi-annual Faculty and Students showcase, presenting renowned dance faculty performing their own choreography. Students, who mostly use Capezio dance wear, also submit their original choreography and are given a chance to perform. Performance dates for the Faculty Showcase are on February 4^th  (8:30 pm) and 5^th (2:30 pm). The Peridance Student Showcase are on February 5^th as well, at 7:30 pm. Peridance Capezio Center ballet dance faculty includes Francois Perron and Peter Brandenhoff.

From August 20 to September 1^st, Peridance Capezio Center will collaborate with dance institution Drew Jacoby to conduct the Blueprint Summer Intensive. Blueprint is an intensive summer dance experience offering experienced to pre-professional dancers of Ballet and Contemporary aged 16-22.

The program aims to combine current contemporary trends with conservatory technique. Students learn with some of the most sought after dance artists and educators. Faculty includes Drew Jacoby, Igal Perry, Michele Wiles, Helen Pickett, Sidra Bell and Kevin Irving. 

Capezio Recognizes Talents in the Field of Dancing
Apart from creating well-crafted and elegant Capezio dance wear, the Capezio Foundation bestows the annual Capezio Dance Award. The recognition is given to the individual, institution or company who have given an outstanding contribution to the field of dance or attained significant career stature and distinction. Recent recipients include the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Suzanne Farrell, Savion Glover, Carmen de Lavallade, Charles Davis, Career Transition for Dancers, Donald Saddler, Trisha Brown, David White, Arlene Shuler, Michael M. Kaiser and 2011’s winner, Desmond Richardson.

Visit www.alycedancewear.com to find industry-renowned Capezio dance wear.