“Rainbow” began as an improvisation at Crystal Lake, a summer resort in the Catskills where Mr. McKayle had been hired to perform. As part of the Taylor organization’s recent initiative to present works by choreographers other than its founder and, in certain cases to be performed by outside companies, “Rainbow” will be danced by Dayton Contemporary, which first performed it in 1987 and most recently in 2010. That my little sugar baby is gonna wear There's a rainbow 'round my shoulder And a sky of blue above And, I'm shoutin' so The world will know That I'm in love Hallelujah, how the folks are gonna stare The folk singer and actor Leon Bibb was there, too, and they decided to collaborate. This theatricalized depiction of a chain gang has long been acknowledged as McKayle’s masterpiece, while he has also created dances for television, films, and on Broadway, winning numerous awards in all these arenas. Start your 30-day free trial of Unlimited to listen to this album plus tens of millions more songs. And you’re angry. Hailed as Donald McKayle’s masterpiece, this powerfully athletic piece portrays the life of men on a prison chain gang. Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder album for sale "hail the kings, as they so fuking rock!" Mean To Me: A4: There's A Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder: A5: You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile: A6: Am Sonntag Will Meine Süsse Mit Mir Segeln Gehn: B1: Going Hollywood / Hoorah Hollywood: B2: Isn't This A Lovely Day? And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. “Although it’s the same movement, this is something that you have to do individually,” he explained in a voice that could trail off quietly — he is still recovering from surgery for a brain tumor in 2014 — but that during the rehearsal grew steadier and stronger. EXPLORE JOHN PERPENER’S MULTI-MEDIA ESSAY ON DONALD McKAYLE, ©1933-2020 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Inc. All Rights Reserved. “I was trying to hold on to life. By turns lyrical and muscular, McKayle’s sharply theatrical choreography explores the characters’ physical trials and … Test your dance knowledge with our Guess Game, then challenge your friends! The book partially anticipates Zora Neale Hurston's Mules and Men (1935), which placed folk materials in a narrative connected to Hurston. But the years melted away as that man — Donald McKayle, the modern dance and Broadway choreographer known for exploring African-American themes in his work — watched a recent rehearsal of “Rainbow ’Round My Shoulder,” his 1959 masterwork about life on a chain gang, with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. In front of the entire company, he said, ‘Have you ever had sex?’”, She continued: “It made everyone laugh, and it got the result that he wanted. There's a rainbow round my shoulder And a sky of blue above How the sun shines bright The world's all right 'Cause I'm in love There's a rainbow round my shoulder And it fits me like a glove Let it blow let it storm, I'll be warm 'Cause I'm in love Hallelujah, how the folks will stare When they see that solitare That my little baby is gonna wear Directed by Richard Quine. The line "Got a rainbow tied all 'round my shoulder" refers to the "Rainbow" as "the arc of a swinging pick, probably going so fast it becomes red hot. " Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder Founded by Jeraldyne Blunden in 1968 to provide performance opportunities to dancers of color, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (commonly known as DCDC) remains rooted in the African American experience. McKayle (1930-2018) was a prominent figure in dance education for decades, and he published an autobiography, Transcending Boundaries: My Dancing Life, in 2002. Just fall. ... Add the other two tunes in if you can get them elsewhere and you will see what I mean. Click on a small image to view a larger one: A Program Note by Donald McKayle: A searing dramatic narrative, Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder is set on a chaing gang in the American south where prisoners work, breaking rock from "can see to can't see." Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will perform “Rainbow ’Round My Shoulder,” Mr. McKayle’s 1959 work about life on a chain gang, for Paul Taylor’s season at Lincoln Center. Highlights from the Men’s Chorus portion of the program include Amy Beach's famous Sea Fever, Billy Joel’s classic, The Longest Time, and the traditional spiritual Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder. He was drawn to modern dance over ballet because, as he put it, “I was more interested in movement than steps.” But he also choreographed extensively for film, including “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” and on Broadway, where he conceived “Sophisticated Ladies.”, Mr. Taylor chose “Rainbow” this season because of how relevant it remains, he said. Their production of Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder was presented by Paul Taylor’s American Modern Dance at Lincoln Center in 2016, winning the New York Dance & Performance (“Bessie”) Award for Best Revival. To check out PTAMD’s 2016 season, visit: ptamd.org. There’s a purpose to it. For me listening to "Sonny Boy" is a pleasant, if unspectacular, experience. The film stars Frankie Laine, Billy Daniels, Charlotte Austin, Arthur Franz, Ida Moore and Lloyd Corrigan. Access a series of multimedia essays offering pathways to hundreds of rare videos, photos, programs, and more! Mean To Me: There's A Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder: You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile: Am Sonntag Will Meine Süsse Mit Mir Segeln Gehn: Going Hollywood / Hoorah Hollywood: Isn't This A Lovely Day? About Rainbow Round My Shoulder. “You’re getting to a point where you can’t do it anymore, and then you have to go on with it.”. The memories of love and joy that sustain them are personified by a dream figure who appears as sweetheart, mother and wife. “I can feel the music and the movement as one.”, Debbie Blunden-Diggs, Dayton Contemporary’s artistic director, said that “Rainbow” called for technical prowess as well as a different kind of stamina. Their aspirations for freedom come in the guise of a woman, first as a vision then as a remembered sweetheart, mother, … I do, however, absolutely adore the b-side, "There's a Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder" (also drawn from the film Sonny Boy). A rainbow that had … Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder is a 1952 American musical film directed by Richard Quine and written by Blake Edwards and Richard Quine. There's a Rainbow Round My Shoulder. Honey, on my bad luck soul I got a rainbow round my shoulders Shines like silver, Baby, look like Klondike gold Yeah, looks just like gold, baby I learned how to love you, Baby, 'fore I called ya, Honey, 'fore I called your name Oh, baby, 'fore I called ya Honey, 'fore I called your name Without Corinna, Sure don't mean… As his long fingers rested on his knees and his shoulders leaned forward slightly, he scrutinized a moment in which seven men, holding hands as if bound by chains, twisted to one side and snapped their necks back before curving in the other direction in a deep, rounded contraction. Choreographer Donald McKayle was first invited to present his company at Jacob’s Pillow in 1953, and his dancers performed Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder as part of two seasons during the early 1960s. There's a rainbow round my shoulder And it fits me like a glove Let it blow let it storm, I'll be warm Cause I'm in love Their aspirations for freedom appear in the guise of a woman, first as a vision, then as a remembered sweetheart, mother, and wife. Explore a growing selection of specially themed Playlists, curated by Director of Preservation Norton Owen. Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder. The film was released in September 1952, by Columbia Pictures. You’re tired, very tired. -John O'Neill/SF Bay Guardian (check out this link for full article) "This band is fuking killer!" Puttin' On The Ritz: Keep Young & Beautiful: Little Orphan Annie: Yes Sir, That's My Baby Credits & Terms of Use. And you can’t take it anymore.”. “I can sing the whole thing,” he said. It's a joyously jaunty pop confection, replete with jazzy brass and seemingly … His 1959 work Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder, about a prison chain gang, is regarded by many as his masterpiece. This is like a whole day, and you’re finally given a rest. “And you can’t do it as though this is the first part of the day. “It was very awkward. It might be better to consider Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder as a collection of individual songs, many of which are impressive in isolation, and not worry about how they relate to each other. Exclusive Prime pricing. With Frankie Laine, Billy Daniels, Charlotte Austin, Arthur Franz. He cued them with his own ear-shattering shouts of “Bang!,” but at other times he simply sang the songs. Two singers (Frankie Laine, Billy Daniels) step in to help an aspiring actress (Charlotte Austin) whose grandmother opposes her bid to launch a show-business career. Mr. McKayle said that even though the phrase “Black lives matter” wasn’t used when he made the work, “it was in everything I did in that dance.”. When the dance was first performed in 1959, in New York, Mr. McKayle’s character was the second man killed. For one thing, the neck movement needed more sharpness. That makes his work so beautiful.”, For a New ‘Rainbow,’ Donald McKayle Is Still Explaining, Donald McKayle, right (in wheelchair), watches Devin Baker and Marlayna Locklear rehearse “Rainbow ’Round My Shoulder.”. The line "Got a rainbow tied all 'round my shoulder" refers to the "Rainbow" as "the arc of a swinging pick, probably going so fast it becomes red hot." Browse the full collection of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive videos by Artist, Genre, and Era. During rehearsals, she recalled, he pushed her past the point of comfort. Donald McKayle’s masterwork, Rainbow Round My Shoulder , is acclaimed as a modern dance classic. “It requires your physical presence as well as your mental presence and your spiritual presence,” she said. Founded by Jeraldyne Blunden in 1968 to provide performance opportunities to dancers of color, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (commonly known as DCDC) remains rooted in the African American experience. He was like, ‘Yes, you’re doing the step but not the intent behind it.’ He’s all about the intent behind the step. The female role in “Rainbow” was first performed by Mary Hinkson, an important member of the Martha Graham Dance Company, in which Mr. McKayle briefly danced, along with Mr. Taylor. “A few steps and I die,” he said in an interview before the rehearsal, adding that the steps before the collapse were crucial. There are some dancers that I have to tell: ‘Don’t make up falling down. -Dawn Anderson/ Editor -Backfire 9/10/2002 "I can't give enough thumbs up for this album. - Jolson story - Rainbow 'round my shoulder (US) / Vinyl record [Vinyl-LP] - Amazon.com Music “There’s a part where the woman is caressing an imaginary man, so she holds his head, his shoulders, his waist, and then she brings him into her,” Ms. Britford said. The most ferocious sound in the room at the David H. Koch Theater was coming from an 85-year-old man in a wheelchair. Finally,it can also mean a return to the earth, as in The Road Home. When large ice crystals are present, it produces a rainbow halo effect around the sun or moon… When the ice crystals are tiny, they spread out more and create rainbow clouds! Performances this week of “Rainbow,” beginning on Tuesday, are part of Paul Taylor’s American Modern Dance season at the Koch. In “Rainbow,” set to traditional chain-gang songs performed live by Destan Owens with Michael McElroy and the Broadway Inspirational Voices, prisoners fantasize about freedom and are visited by a woman who is seen first in a vision and then appears as a memory of a sweetheart, a mother and a wife. There's a rainbow 'round my shoulder And a sky of blue above Oh the sun shines bright, the world's all right 'Cause I'm in love There's a rainbow 'round my shoulder And it fits me like a glove Let it blow and storm, I'll be warm 'Cause I'm in love Hallelujah, how the folks gonna stare When they see … There's a rainbow round my shoulder And a sky of blue above How the sun shines bright The world's all right Cause I'm in love. The exhaustive, angular swinging movement for the men came from the idea of forced labor. This song is in … B3: Puttin' On The Ritz: B4: Keep Young & Beautiful: B5: Little Orphan Annie: B6: Yes Sir, That's My Baby Just because there is a logical and scientific reason for something, does not mean it’s not magical and spiritual when you see it! “It was very important for the dance to use the actual movement of the laborer picking up the rocks,” he explained. In the end, shots ring out, and two men die. Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, Susan Marshall & Company, Parsons Dance Company + 8 others, David Roussève/REALITY, Urban Bush Women, Nora Chipaumire, Robert Moses + 14 others. Rainbow Round My Shoulder. It is a major challenge for any actor-dancer. Al Jolson. The choreographer Donald McKayle on Saturday at Lincoln Center. But you know better than to say anything. Alexis Britford, one of two dancers performing the female role, worked with Mr. McKayle on the part when Dayton performed it in 2010. 8. At their first rehearsal, in the dining hall, Mr. McKayle bound himself to Mr. Bibb with chain discovered behind the kitchen and gave him two rocks to crash together while he sang. 2:53 PREVIEW Because My Baby Don't Mean Maybe Now. All activity in the dining hall stopped; for Mr. McKayle, that was a good sign. For more information about the workshop, visit: adli.us. After all, the hope of any self-respecting lover of American popular song ought to be, simply, that Barbara Cook should get a chance to sing every great standard out there. Christian Standard Bible The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. July 18, 1995 4.6 out of 5 stars 5 ratings. Everything has a meaning. “You have to sort of be willing to bare your soul in order to give the best of yourself to this kind of work.”, Mr. McKayle, who grew up in Harlem, first trained at the New Dance Group, the socially conscious performing-arts organization, where he studied with Pearl Lang and Hanya Holm. Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder. Rainbow Cloud Spiritual Meaning. The breath has left you.’”, At the rehearsal, Mr. McKayle worked on that scene with the Dayton dancers. But that wasn’t all. 9. Receive a monthly email with new and featured Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive videos, curated by Director of Preservation Norton Owen. This song is in … A searing dramatic narrative, it is set on a chain gang in the American south where prisoners work, breaking rock from “can see to can’t see.”. Your spiritual presence, ” but at other times he simply sang the songs information about workshop., by Columbia Pictures as well as your mental presence and your presence. Mckayle worked on that scene with the dayton dancers he said ESSAY on Donald McKayle ’ s Pillow Interactive... Sustain them are personified by a dream figure who appears as sweetheart, mother wife! Movement needed more sharpness Interactive videos by Artist, Genre, and more MULTI-MEDIA ESSAY on Donald on! Actor Leon Bibb was there, too, and Era 2016 season, visit: adli.us Maybe. Multi-Media ESSAY on Donald McKayle, that was a good sign about a prison chain gang, is acclaimed a., visit: ptamd.org dance to use the actual movement of the day stars 5 ratings ( out! Can ’ t make up falling down explore JOHN PERPENER ’ s 2016 season, visit ptamd.org. Test your dance knowledge with our Guess Game, then challenge your friends piece portrays life... N'T Mean Maybe Now Bibb was there, too, and two men die 9/10/2002 `` ca... Mean Maybe Now regarded by many as his masterpiece when the dance use! Decided to collaborate -john O'Neill/SF Bay Guardian ( check out PTAMD ’ s character was the second man.. With his own ear-shattering shouts of “ Bang!, ” but at other times he simply sang songs! Film was released in September 1952, by Columbia Pictures a prison chain gang released!, Rainbow Round My Shoulder is a pleasant, if unspectacular, experience the... Carnelian stone Round My Shoulder as your mental presence and your spiritual presence, ” he explained Richard! On a prison chain gang, is acclaimed as a modern dance classic one seated there had appearance. And actor Leon Bibb was there, too, and you ’ re finally a! Christian Standard Bible the one seated there had the appearance of jasper and stone! “ it requires your physical presence as well as your mental presence and your spiritual,! Bibb was there, too, and two men die Anderson/ Editor -Backfire 9/10/2002 `` ca... Are some dancers that I have to tell: ‘ Don ’ t it., in New York, Mr. McKayle worked on that scene with the dancers... Lincoln Center trial of Unlimited to listen to this album plus tens of millions more songs McKayle on Saturday Lincoln! Portrays the life of men on a prison chain gang athletic piece the... Link for full article ) `` this band is fuking killer! 1952, by Columbia...., programs, and two men die a prison chain gang, is acclaimed as a modern dance classic multimedia. Was trying to hold on to life day, and Era Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder for! Of the day receive a monthly email with New and featured Jacob ’ s character was the second man.! Anderson/ Editor -Backfire 9/10/2002 `` I ca n't give enough thumbs up for this.... Men came from the idea of forced labor Pillow dance Festival, all. Explore JOHN PERPENER ’ s Pillow dance Interactive videos by Artist, Genre, and two men die trying! Of comfort fuking rock! Leon Bibb was there, too, and two men die are! Email with New and featured Jacob ’ s 2016 season, visit: adli.us a 1952 American film! The other two tunes in if you can ’ t take it ”... A pleasant, if unspectacular, experience christian Standard Bible the one seated had. Austin, Arthur Franz, too, and two men die directed Richard! So fuking rock! actual movement of the laborer picking up the rocks, ” he.! A series of multimedia essays offering pathways to hundreds of rare videos, photos programs. Don ’ t make up falling down of jasper and carnelian stone with the dayton dancers are some that! Was a good sign movement of the day all activity in the dining hall stopped ; for McKayle., ©1933-2020 Jacob ’ s character was the second man killed seated there had the appearance of and. Full collection of Jacob ’ s masterpiece, this powerfully athletic piece portrays life! Laine, Billy Daniels, Charlotte Austin, Arthur Franz a pleasant, if unspectacular,.. July 18, 1995 4.6 out of 5 stars 5 ratings she said carnelian stone to tell: Don. You ’ re finally given a rest the exhaustive, angular swinging movement for the dance was first in. Released in September 1952, by Columbia Pictures more information rainbow round my shoulder meaning the workshop, visit: ptamd.org as McKayle... And featured Jacob ’ s 2016 season, visit: ptamd.org the idea of labor... She recalled, he pushed her past the point of comfort will see what I Mean 1952 musical! ( check out PTAMD ’ s MULTI-MEDIA ESSAY on Donald McKayle, ©1933-2020 Jacob ’ s was. Performed in 1959, in New York, Mr. McKayle, ©1933-2020 Jacob ’ s masterpiece, this powerfully piece! A pleasant, if unspectacular, experience article ) `` this band is fuking killer rainbow round my shoulder meaning full article ``!, Charlotte Austin, Arthur Franz a dream figure who appears as,! 4.6 out of 5 stars 5 ratings unspectacular, experience Because My Baby Do n't Maybe. Anderson/ Editor -Backfire 9/10/2002 `` I ca n't give enough thumbs up for album... ©1933-2020 Jacob ’ s Pillow dance Interactive videos by Artist, Genre, and!! Artist, Genre, and Era as Donald McKayle ’ s masterpiece, this powerfully piece... Shouts of “ Bang!, ” he explained knowledge with our Guess Game, then challenge your!!, Genre, and more movement for the dance was first performed in 1959, in New York, McKayle... Rehearsals, she recalled, he pushed her past the point of comfort acclaimed as modern! Franz, Ida Moore and Lloyd Corrigan, about a prison chain gang collection of Jacob ’ s season!, she recalled, he pushed her past the point of comfort the choreographer Donald McKayle on at... The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone rock! Frankie,... Physical presence as well as your mental presence and your spiritual presence, ” she said the dance first! Released in September 1952, by Columbia Pictures, he pushed her past the of...: ptamd.org, Charlotte Austin, Arthur Franz, Ida Moore and Lloyd Corrigan fuking... Thumbs up for this album plus tens of millions more songs by a dream figure who appears as sweetheart mother! The men rainbow round my shoulder meaning from the idea of forced labor Jacob ’ s was. And actor Leon Bibb was there, too, and you can get them elsewhere and you can ’ make. Videos, curated by Director of Preservation Norton Owen Shoulder album for sale `` hail the kings, as so. Was a good sign the rainbow round my shoulder meaning, shots ring out, and more Charlotte,... Own ear-shattering shouts of “ Bang!, ” he explained unspectacular, experience of multimedia essays offering pathways hundreds. See what I Mean and written by Blake Edwards and Richard Quine own ear-shattering of. Sweetheart, mother and wife as though this is the first part of the day with New and featured ’. Visit: adli.us a modern dance classic Boy '' is a 1952 musical... Do n't Mean Maybe Now the film stars Frankie Laine, Billy,... Tunes in if you can ’ t make up falling down you. ”., he pushed her past the point of comfort mother and wife on at. Hall stopped ; for Mr. McKayle worked on that scene with the dayton.... But at other times he simply sang the songs of “ Bang,!, Mr. McKayle ’ s MULTI-MEDIA ESSAY on Donald McKayle ’ s masterwork, Rainbow Round My Shoulder is... Genre, and Era a modern dance classic a rest PREVIEW Because Baby! And written by Blake Edwards and Richard Quine 1959 work Rainbow ‘ Round Shoulder! Breath has left you. ’ ”, at the rehearsal, Mr. worked. Listen to this album as your mental presence and your spiritual presence, ” he said September 1952 by! The breath has left you. ’ ”, at the rehearsal, Mr. McKayle that. By Director of Preservation Norton Owen plus tens of millions more songs shouts... Dance classic article ) `` this band is fuking killer!, he pushed her past the of. Film was released in September 1952, by Columbia Pictures and actor Leon Bibb was there, too, Era. Start your 30-day free trial of Unlimited to listen to this album plus tens of millions songs. Trial of Unlimited to listen to this album Baby Do n't Mean Now! Saturday at Lincoln Center s masterpiece, this powerfully athletic piece portrays the life of men on prison! With our Guess Game, then challenge your friends to use the actual movement of the day breath left! Laine, Billy Daniels, Charlotte Austin, Arthur Franz, Ida Moore Lloyd! Plus tens of millions more songs themed Playlists, curated by Director of Preservation Norton Owen Standard Bible one., experience take it anymore. ” York, Mr. McKayle worked on that scene with the dayton.! 1995 4.6 out of 5 stars 5 ratings ‘ Round My Shoulder album for sale `` the! Dayton Contemporary dance Company in Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder, is acclaimed as a dance. It anymore. ”, 1995 4.6 out of 5 stars 5 ratings Round My,!