Lubbock native, prima ballerina NaTalia Johnson dies at 37
The arts community is mourning one of its own with the unexpected death of Lubbock native and internationally acclaimed prima ballerina NaTalia Johnson. NaTalia Johnson, a Ballet Lubbock original, was an energy of fire that lit the dance world ablaze with her bold spirit. From her dancing to her teaching, she changed lives. Today we send our condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace, reads a social media post from Ballet Lubbock.
Johnson, who was 37 when she died May 7, most recently served as artistic director of the Sacramento-based Natalia Johnson Conservatory of Ballet, which she opened in 2013 after retiring from professional dancing.
The Lubbock Fire Department’s heavy rescue team was called to the City of Lubbock Cemetery after a person fell into a freshly dug grave Wednesday morning.
Correction: We have updated this story to correct the spelling of a name.Â
The Buddy Holly Center remembered Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. âThe Big Bopperâ Richardson and pilot Roger Peterson today on the 62nd anniversary of the plane crash that killed the musicians and pilot.
Feb. 3 has come to be known by fans of the musicians as âThe Day the Music Died,â according to the press release from the Buddy Holly Center. In honor of the lives lost, the Buddy Holly Center offered free admission and hourly showings of the Buddy Holly documentary âThe Buddy I Knewâ from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Join the Buddy Holly Center, 1801 Crickets Ave., on Wednesday, Feb. 3, in remembering the plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson. This year marks the 62nd anniversary of the tragedy.
This date was coined “The Day the Music Died” after a lyric in the Don McLean song, “American Pie,” that references the deaths of these rock-and-roll legends.
Lubbock native Holly, born Sept. 7, 1936, had numerous hits during his short, but quickly rising, career including “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy!,” “That’ll Be the Day,” and “Everyday,” among others.
On Feb. 3 the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, is remembering the 62nd anniversary of the plane crash that took the lives of J.P. âThe Big Bopperâ Richardson, pilot Roger Peterson, Richie Valens, and Buddy Holly, according to a release made by the City of Lubbock..
The Don McLean song American Pie references the deaths of these singing legends, and the date was coined The Day the Music Died because of that lyric, according to the release. Free admission will be offered by the Buddy Holly Center on Feb. 3.
Hourly screenings of The Buddy I Knew, the Buddy Holly Documentary, by Larry Holly will be showing in the South Gallery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. according to the release.