Ballerinas & Meringues: Pavlova 2012 @ Ivy House

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 141 months ago
Ballerinas & Meringues: Pavlova 2012 @ Ivy House

Famous for her Dying Swan and dessert legacy, ballerina Anna Pavlova made London her home in 1912 settling at Ivy House in Golders Green.

To celebrate the centenary, the London Jewish Cultural Centre (LJCC) — which now occupies the building — is hosting an exhibition and series of events under the umbrella Pavlova 2012, celebrating her contribution to classical dance and London life.

Opening today is a free exhibition of archive photos and film of Pavlova at Ivy House, showing not only her work teaching and dancing but also her life at Ivy House and snaps from her famous parties.

Unfortunately, Pavlova Day at Ivy House, a special performance at the Royal Opera House Linbury Studio and a White Lodge Ballet Museum tour are all sold out. Tickets are still available for an 'in conversation' event with Dame Monica Mason, outgoing Director of the Royal Ballet, on Wednesday 20 June.

Launching Pavlova 2012 earlier in the year, the LJCC held a competition to find the best pavlova recipe. The winner was one Jackie Kent, so if you want to pay your respects to the most famous dancer in the world by indulging in a sugar-rush, head to The Providores and ask for the "hazelnut chocolate pavlova with Baileys cream and raspberries".

Far more Pavlovian, however, is a special celebration of the ballerina in film to be screened at the British Film Institute in August. The programme includes archive footage, documentaries and the feature length film, Pavlova: A Woman For All Time between 11-31 August (details not yet online).

Did you know: there are at least five memorials to Pavlova in London?

1. The gilded staute atop the Victoria Palace Theatre.

2. A contemporary sculpture by Tom Merrifeld of Pavlova as the Dragonfly, now in the grounds of Ivy House.

3. A sculpture by Scot George Henry Paulin in the middle of the pond at Ivy House. Check out this archive footage showing Spanish dancers leaving a tribute at the statue.

4. A statuette, accompanied by a swan, sitting with the urn that holds her ashes in Golders Green Crematorium.

5. And her blue plaque sits on the front of Ivy House.

Last Updated 15 June 2012