Winnipeg in Focus is a database for archival descriptions and digital collections at the City of Winnipeg Archives.

Series s00237 - Class and recital photographs

June Walker in costume Dancers in costume Mayde Fraser in costume Mayde Fraser in costume Gertrude Ryall in costume A young dancer in costume Dancers in costume Dancers in costume Helen Robertson as Candy in"Blue Bird" Gladys Yule, the youngest acrobatic dancer in Western Canada Grace and Betty Parker in eagle costumes Grace and Betty Parker in eagle costumes Helen Robertson in costume A dancer in costume Layola Kelleher in costume Signed photo of a dancer named Mary Dancers in costume, featuring Esthere Dancers in costume at the Malborough Hotel for The Springtime Festival, under Auspices of the Cat... Dancers performing Chorus from “The Little Revue” A young dancer in costume
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Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Class and recital photographs

General material designation

  • Graphic material

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Level of description

Series

Reference code

s00237

Edition area

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Physical description area

Physical description

20 cm (348 photographs)

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1903-2003)

Biographical history

Alice Mabel Weir was born in Kenora, Ontario, 1903. Her father, William A. Weir, was a banker who helped open the first Imperial Bank in Kenora. The Weirs moved to Winnipeg in 1910, where her father became the manager of the Clearing House.

Her career in dance started when Weir was in Quebec City. After moving to Winnipeg, she continued studying ballet as well as other performing arts, including piano and violin. Weir started teaching ballet when she was 18 years old. Her parents supported her in this endeavor and converted space in their home on Wardlaw Avenue to accommodate her ballet school. The living room and dining room of their home were transformed into her studio. Weir’s mother became her greatest supporter, creating costumes for her students’ recitals.

Alice taught dance because of a passion for dancing. She travelled to study with some of the great contemporaries of the time like Leon Leonidoff, director of Radio City Music Hall (New York). She also studied in Paris and London.

Alice and her pupils performed at different locations throughout Winnipeg, putting on recitals at the Royal Alexandra Hotel, the Walker Theatre, Eaton’s Grill Room, and the Winter Club to name a few.

In 1927, Weir started dance classes in Dauphin, Manitoba. In 1928, she moved her Winnipeg dance studio out of her parents’ home to McMillan Avenue. She married Julian A. Robins in 1932 and retired from teaching the same year. They had six children together. She died in 2003.

Custodial history

Scope and content

Forms part of Collection 10. Series consists of various photographs of Alice Weir and the many students who attended her classes. The photographs of performers in different themed costumes demonstrate the varied ages of Weir’s students. The costumes were designed and created by Weir’s mother.

Notes area

Physical condition

In good condition.

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Location of originals

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Restrictions on access

There are no restrictions on access to these records.

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Researchers are responsible for observing Canadian copyright regulations.

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A file list is available.

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No further accruals are expected.

Alternative identifier(s)

Legacy Identifier

c00010-0161

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