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The Dance Gods: A New York Memoir
When Kenny Pearl arrived in New York City, determined to succeed as a dancer, he was penniless, friendless and jobless. His memories shine against the backdrop of the turbulent ’60s and ’70s, including Vietnam War protests, the military draft and the rampant crime that once plagued the city. From humble beginnings in the hippie-populated Lower East Side, to performing with the greats of the New York modern dance scene—he danced with the companies of both Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey—Pearl’s life is one of tenacity, hard work and passion. This is the engaging story of the hurdles he faced on his unique journey and the remarkable people he met along the way.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Kenny Pearl
1 book2 followersKenny Pearl began formal training in dance at the age of eighteen in Toronto at the National Ballet School of Canada and with the co-founders of Toronto
Dance Theatre.
He moved to New York City to train and, subsequently, danced around the world with the companies of Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham. He
has taught regularly at schools across North America, including at the Juilliard School of Music, the Martha Graham School and the School of Toronto Dance
Theatre.
He was Artistic Director of Toronto Dance Theatre from 1983-87 and, since 2002, has held a faculty position at Ryerson University. He wrote
Dance/Life, a handbook for emerging artists, in 1990. Kenny lives next to the Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto, where he enjoys gardening, photography and taking long walks.
Dance Theatre.
He moved to New York City to train and, subsequently, danced around the world with the companies of Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham. He
has taught regularly at schools across North America, including at the Juilliard School of Music, the Martha Graham School and the School of Toronto Dance
Theatre.
He was Artistic Director of Toronto Dance Theatre from 1983-87 and, since 2002, has held a faculty position at Ryerson University. He wrote
Dance/Life, a handbook for emerging artists, in 1990. Kenny lives next to the Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto, where he enjoys gardening, photography and taking long walks.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 13, 2018
This is a compelling story of life as it is in the dance world. Kenny Pearl's struggles and sacrifices to fulfill his dream to dance with the top dance companies in NYC are moving, inspiring and very engaging. His revelations about his encounters with some of the biggest names in contemporary dance are wonderful. Even if you're not a dancer, this book is a kind of coming-of-age story that will make you gasp, laugh and cry. A very good read!
April 27, 2021
An absolute must read for anyone interested in pursuing a passion and achieving personal growth. The Dance Gods is a book I will continue to revert to when looking for inspiration from someone who truly made it on his own and carved his own path, through hard work, perseverance, and true dedication to his craft. Kenny’s story and all that he is, is truly inspirational– this book and his life experiences are living proof that anything is achievable with the right approach, work ethic, focus and commitment. This book gives insight on what it was like to work first-hand, with some of the most renowned dance artists in the world. Kenny writes so beautifully and honestly of details, emotions, and experiences – I was immersed in his world from beginning to end and I did not want to put the book down. Kenny’s journey has inspired and motivated me to continue on my own journey of personal growth and dedication to my craft. Everyone should read this book and learn all that there is to learn from Kenny and his incredible experiences with the “Dance Gods”!
September 27, 2024
This is a book that will undoubtable move, entertain and inspire you at any point in your personal journey through life. It is an ode to New York, a love letter to dance and most importantly an honouring of self-care. A coming of age story that grapples with the beauty and challenges of chasing your dreams, relationships that help and hinder, overcoming obstacles big and small, and astute reflections on the choices we make along the way. Certainly not just for lovers of dance (though the dance easter eggs are aplenty!), this book appeals to those who aspire to love life in all its struggles and triumphs. Written with optimism, grit, vulnerability and humility, The Dance Gods: A New York Memoir is a must-read.
June 8, 2024
A tender and touching sharing of Kenny's life. Touches on the many facets of what impacts one's artistic journey from the personal to the global. I found myself surprised, laughing, sorrowful and softened by this read. Highly recommend.
February 12, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone, not just dancers! Kenny has a beautiful way of telling the story of his life and brining his readers along right beside him. It was moving, entertaining and heartfelt.
April 30, 2016
Phenomenal and moving, this book is worth picking up. I loved how Pearl’s voice flowed through the retelling of his story as he moves through his career as a dancer. He gives praise where praise is due and speaks honestly about himself in a reflective and accepting manner. I found his writing exhilarating and inspiring. I wish to be filled with movement and inspiration as it seems Pearl has been for decades. Suffice it to say, I was totally engrossed in the beauty of this book.
This book has it all for me; a memoir that has comedic moments, history, and passion through dance. And Pearl has had quite the experience. He danced with the Ailey Company, whom I had (sadly to my own knowledge) never heard of before and the Graham Company (which I had) as well as many other dancers and troupes. I am grateful for his insights into the world of dance and New York through the 60’s and 70’s and look forward to learning more about dance during these time periods (I have to say I’m pretty ignorant on the matter).
The cover was beautiful, the story was moving, really the only thing I didn’t like about this book was the way the spacing was punctuated with titles constantly, but those are easy for me to ignore and simply proved to break up the timeline of the book a little. I hope that anyone who wants to feel inspired by the world will read this book and then go follow their dreams.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book has it all for me; a memoir that has comedic moments, history, and passion through dance. And Pearl has had quite the experience. He danced with the Ailey Company, whom I had (sadly to my own knowledge) never heard of before and the Graham Company (which I had) as well as many other dancers and troupes. I am grateful for his insights into the world of dance and New York through the 60’s and 70’s and look forward to learning more about dance during these time periods (I have to say I’m pretty ignorant on the matter).
The cover was beautiful, the story was moving, really the only thing I didn’t like about this book was the way the spacing was punctuated with titles constantly, but those are easy for me to ignore and simply proved to break up the timeline of the book a little. I hope that anyone who wants to feel inspired by the world will read this book and then go follow their dreams.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2016
The Dance Gods is a beautifully written memoir that will keep you invested from start to finish. It is a must-read for both dancers and non-dancers alike. Kenny Pearl takes you on a journey through his dance career in New York City, from his very first class as a young boy to his final performances on stage with some of the worlds most cherished dance companies. Each chapter touches on a specific moment in his career, bringing to life his personal relationships with some of the most iconic dance artists of all time - Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey to name a few. Kenny's stories evoke an array of emotions. They display moments of hardship, determination, humour, sadness and true joy, making this read extremely relatable to anybody who has ever set out to achieve their passions and dreams. What was the most special to me about this book was the sensitivity with which Kenny tells each of his stories. There is a layer of heart beneath each word and it is no wonder as to why the 'Dance Gods' brought him some assistance when he needed it most. Recently, "The Dance Gods" was the chosen read for my monthly book club and after completing many novels, it is the collective favourite to date. I highly recommend this book to everyone - men, women, artists, non-artists and anybody in between. It will bring out the 'glass half-full' mentality in you, and will undoubtedly inspire you to keep striving for the things you are most passionate about in life.
January 19, 2016
It has been said that if you want to understand the pulse of a generation, watch the young artists in New York City. Kenny Pearl was a Toronto based dancer who in 1967, took a great leap forwards by packing his bags and moving to the Big Apple to pursue his dream as a professional dancer. The narrative chronicles his struggles and accomplishments, professional and peripheral, in his career with the renowned Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey dance companies. His travels took him from Manhattan to Moscow to McAllen and back, all amid a backdrop of socially conscious artists drawn to New York from all corners of the world in the swinging sixties and turbulent seventies. Adding to the turbulence were the titular dance gods. Just when the coast seemed clear, there they were to mess things up. But at other times when all hope seemed lost, there they were to provide safe haven. This is the story of a man with a dream and a vision who pursued it and in doing so, learned to believe in his message.
July 13, 2016
"The Dance Gods" transports you to the wonderful world of Modern Dance right as it is taking off. Kenny's wild adventures through the glorious New York City as he navigates his way from being an aspiring modern dancer, to one of the greats, keeps you on the edge of your seat. He allows us a back stage pass to what it was like dancing for the superstars of modern dance that all dancers greatly admire and study. Kenny's comedic touch and beautiful perspective on life and following your dreams makes this book accessible to anyone, not just dancers. It is a wonderful read that reminds us all not to take love, family, friends, comfort, and our physical well-being for granted.
July 31, 2016
Kenny's New York memoir is an amazing read. Personally as a new mom of a sweet and very curious little human, reading a book at the moment would seem an impossible task, but I was immediately absorbed in it. I believe baby Amelia enjoyed watching her mom both giggle and cry while turning the pages, pages filled with stories that the author describe in such a way that they make an immediate imprint in your mind. The stories transcend the life of a dancer in the heat of New York City during the 60's and 70's to reminds us how it takes hard work and unlimited dedication to face up to who we really are. Dance lover or not, take this book home with you!
January 30, 2017
The Dance Gods will pull you into Kenny's world from page one, and you won't be able to put it down until it's over! I was utterly captivated from start to finish - laughing out loud at some moments, covered in goosebumps the next, and I may have shed a few tears too. The themes of perseverance and passion, which drive this story forward, hit home with anyone who knows how it feels to pursue their greatest desires. I found much in Kenny's story that struck a deep chord of familiarity within me, and with that came the courage to continue on my own journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an unforgettable read.
July 8, 2016
A very compelling read! Kenny recalls every moment with great detail and insight, it was as if I was there in the room experiencing everything with him. He pairs his recollections with copies of photographs, show programs, and personal postcards to make a rich and realistic experience for the reader. As a young dancer myself, it was absolutely thrilling to read about Kenny's daily interactions with modern dance pioneers of the 60's and 70's. Kenny's incredibly honest words and colourful, vivid imagery kept me hooked until the very last page!
September 1, 2018
This was so inspiring! I love anything about dance or the arts (former musician here), and this was no exception. My full review will be up in a couple of weeks, but for now: If you are a fan of the arts, whether that be music, dance, acting, painting, sculpting, or what-have-you, pick this up. Kenny Pearl's story is so passionate and genuine, and I'm sure you can relate to it.
Full review available at RaeleighReads.
Full review available at RaeleighReads.
January 4, 2016
Yes, I did read this book over the period of two days, it was that good. The writing is beautiful and honest; it put me in the shoes of an awkward young boy; it filled my heart with the hopes and dreams of a dancer; and it fed my mind with loads of facts and tidbits about dance, hippies and new york! If you have an artist in the family - give them this book. If you are an artist, give this book to someone in your family!
January 26, 2016
I tore through this book in a matter of days and couldn't stop talking about it. It offers an accessible and insightful glimpse into the life of a great artist; and the joys and pains of getting there. Written in succinct, anecdotal chapters, every page reveals a new adventure. I recommend this book to artists and non-artists alike -- it is beautifully written, honest and authentic. One of the best books I have read in a long time.
April 28, 2016
This is a wonderful book. Highly readable for anyone interested in the evolution of an artist; or for that matter, a fascinating read of one individual's journey to pursue his passion in the face of many obstacles. Kenny's courage, perseverance, humor, and sacrifices make a compelling read, as does his candid depiction of life and times in a particularly gritty but vibrant time in New York City.
January 12, 2016
This book had me captivated from the first page. A great account of one dancer's career, in New York City during the heyday of the Martha Graham Dance Company as well as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This is a story filled with inspiration, challenges, and finding one's artistic voice. So inspiring. So moving.
September 10, 2016
"The Dance Gods" by Kenny Pearl, is a beautiful account of a young man's inspiring journey through the modern dance scene in New York City during the '60s and '70s. I was captivated from the first page to the last with Pearl's hilarious and honest story telling. I recommend this book to dancers and non-dancers alike. A MUST read!
July 20, 2016
Pearl's "The Dance Gods" is not only an exciting and enjoyable read, but also a very educational trip through dance history. It is humorous, unpredictable, and offers incredible insight into dance in NYC during the 60's and 70's.
August 6, 2016
“It is just a wonderful book – I couldn’t put it down. It’s written so well and naturally – it’s personal & insightful, beautifully descriptive, passionate and compassionate, wry and full of fun and the story line is terrific.”
August 29, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, so compelling! I felt like I was right there, sharing Kenny’s adventures, his demons, his rainbows and all of his sensory and emotional experiences of making and living his dreams come true. This is a wonderful and inspiring story that everyone can connect to.
December 28, 2015
A real and frank view of life as a dancer. The best part were the stories of past and living dance legends.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews