Back in 1931, workers gathered together to celebrate Christmas at the Rockefeller Center when they erected a 20-foot tree fashioned with garland and tin cans. Following that moment, the Rockefeller Center made a spectacle of the event as over 125 million people visit the attraction every year. While a part of history, the Radio City Rockettes are actually older than the tree lighting ceremony as the dance company was founded in 1925. Since 1932, the Rockettes have performed at the Radio City Music Hall. And with both the Rockefeller Center and the Rockettes a part of New York City history, no Christmas celebration would be complete without the historic dancers.
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While the 2024 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony offered several performances by stars like Coco Jones, Little Big Town, Dan + Shay, and Kelly Clarkson, the Rockettes offered a different type of entertainment as they showcased the amazing talents of each dancer who make up the group. And when it comes to performing live, there are no better performers than the Rockettes. Having already performed during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, fans loved watching the mastery and precision of the dancers.
Although putting on a spectacular performance, fans discussed the amount of time and work each dancer dedicated to their craft. “I am watching and I just realized that I am mesmerized by their dancing. That was a weird feeling. The Rockettes were as wonderful in Houston, Texas. When we went, we were told that when a dancer retires, she is allowed to be off step one beat once. It is a tradition, we were told. However, the dancer does not have to be off beat, she can dance perfectly like she usually does, if she chooses.”
A Look At What It Takes To Be Part Of The Rockettes
With over 80 dancers making up the Rockettes, Karmen Moore, one of the dancers, decided to give an in-depth look into being a dancer. “The Rockettes incorporate a lot of precision jazz into their choreography, and it’s like learning an entirely different language. Because things are so precise, there are certain words and phrases to describe different positions and pathways. You have to distinguish between a ‘true V’ and a ‘shallow V,’ or a ‘closed bevel’ versus an ‘open bevel.’ Immersing myself fully into this language was the best way to learn, and once I understood, the movement came more naturally.”
While a great deal of practice and dedication Moore insisted, “Even though we perform the same show every night, I really find myself within the work—it’s sort of meditative knowing that I get to do it again. At the end of every show, there’s always something I want to work on for next time, and I always keep in mind that this show is about the unit as a whole, which is really special.”
(Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC via Getty Images)
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