Bruce, Sadie, 1907-1993

Rhea H. Henderson, founder of RHSPA [RH School of the Performing Arts]; at the age of 11 she began extensive dance training in ballet and jazz with such greats as Sadie Bruce and Sammy Dyer

William McBride; was active during the postwar and early Cold War years in the buoyant dance scene of the Black Chicago Renaissance, serving as art director for the annual Sadie Bruce Dance Revue; along with concert programs and pictures of the dancers, the souvenir books McBride composed contained advertisements for, representations of and endorsements from many sectors of black Chicago society

Sadie Bruce Glover; former dancer and owner of a dance school that she operated for 56 years; died Wednesday [March 17, 1993] at Michael Reese Hospital; after working with her sister, started her own dance school at 5419 S. Calumet Avenue in 1929; at same location through 1985, when she retired; Southside resident; worked as a dancer in nightclubs and other venues during 1930s, including the Golden Lily, Ritz, and Regal Theatre; survived by sisters Mary Bruce Johnson and Evelyn Bruce Adams

Frank Neal, sailor from On the Town, Dunham dancer, and visual artist; Neal’s training as a dancer began in the mid-1930s with Sadie Bruce (ca. 1908–1993), a successful African American dancer in Chicago’s theaters and clubs who ran a South Side dancing school for over fifty years; Neal learned both tap and theater styles there

U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007: Name: Sadie B Glover; Gender: Female; Birth Date: 6 May 1907; Death Date: Mar 1993;

1920 United States Federal Census:Name: Sadie Bruce; Age: 12; Birth Year: abt 1908; Birthplace: Louisiana; Home in 1920: Chicago Ward 2, Cook (Chicago), Illinois; Street: East Thirty-eighth Street; Residence Date: 1920; Race: Mulatto; Gender: Female; Relation to Head of House: Sister-in-law; Marital Status: Single

1930 United States Federal Census: Name: Sada Bruce; Birth Year: abt 1912; Gender: Female; Race: Negro (Black) [Black]; Age in 1930: 18; Birthplace: Louisiana; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Head; Homemaker?: Yes; Home in 1930: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA; Street Address: Calumet Ave.; House Number: 5419; Attended School: Yes; Able to Read and Write: Yes; Father's Birthplace: Mississippi; Mother's Birthplace: Mississippi; Occupation: Teacher; Industry: Dancing Sc.

1940 United States Federal Census: Name: Sadie Bruce [Saddie Bruce]; Age: 28; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1912; Gender: Female; Race: Negro (Black); Birthplace: Louisiana; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Head; Home in 1940: Chicago, Cook, Illinois Street: South Parkway; House Number: 5419; Inferred Residence in 1935: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Residence in 1935: Occupation: Dancing Instructor

Cook County, Illinois Marriage Index, 1930-1960: Name: Sadie T Bruce; Marriage Date: 9 Sep 1940; Spouse: William G Glover; Marriage Location: Cook County, IL

Skip Cunningham; regarded as one of America's most talented entertainers; his first dance teacher/mentor was the venerable Sadie Bruce

Sadie Bruce; operated dance school in the Bronzeville section of Chicago; dance studio was located at 54th and Calumet; older sister, Mary Bruce also was a dancer and dance teacher in Chicago

Geraldine Williams grew up on the South Side of Chicago and studied tap dance with Sadie Bruce

Sadie Bruce Kiddies Score In Revue; Nov 23, 1935; pg. 17: review of Bruce's annual school revue at Eighth Street Theater

Sadie Bruce's Pupils Get Plenty Hot On Regal Stage; May 30, 1936; p. 11: review of Bruce's dance revue; Frank Neal listed as one of the pupils who performed

Critics Acclaim 'Aida' For A Second Time: FIRST 'AIDA' STAR AT OPERA; Mar 6, 1943; pg.16: praises "Sadie Bruce's ballet" in this production, not clear if Bruce was a soloist or she created choreography for a group of dancers

Sadie Bruce's Dancers Rehearse "Passion Play"; Mar 27, 1948; pg. 9: Bruce's dancers included in an Easter paegant at the Civic Opera House

Sadie Bruce's Annual Revue At Opera House; Nov 26, 1949; pg. 11: preview of 19th anniversary show at the Civic Opera House

Sadie Bruce Is Back With Fine Frame, Show; May 19, 1951; pg. 21: advance notice of 21st annual recital at Regal Theatre