Capezio Dance Shop

Capezio dance shop has been serving dancers and their families since 1887. The quality extends into the 21st century with new dance customers, a special foundation, and even an educational dance program.

Capezio was founded by Salvatore Capezio, who was born in Italy in 1871. His father was an engineer, but Salvatore was determined to do something different, and chose to be a cobbler. When he was still a teenager, he opened his first shop on Broadway, which was near the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. He named his shop “The Theatrical and Historical Shoemaker”, and business began to come in.

His location first gave him work as a shoe repairman for performers from the Met, and he built a friendly rapport with many of the dancers. One day he was asked to make a pair of shoes in a pinch, and he transformed into a shoemaker specializing in pointe shoes. Salvatore’s popularity took off, and his little shoe shop landed him success and even a wife when one of the dancers took a particular interest in him! His future status as a legend was solidified when the famous Anna Pavlova bought Salvatore’s pointe shoes for her entire company when she toured the U.S. She spread the word, and the rest is history.

By the 1930s, Capezio became an ever-growing, yet family-run business, and the shoes were featured in Broadway shows, on the feet of prima ballerinas, and even on a 1949 cover of Vogue. Finally, Capezio won the Coty Award in 1952, which is a very prestigious honor in the fashion world.

Capezio dance shop has continued to grow and expand – now including Skatewear, a product line for figure skaters. This was started in 1998, along with Dancesport, which is aimed at ballroom dancers. They are the creators of innovative shoes including split sole jazz shoes, tap sneakers, and other dance favorites. Even though they are a very large company and influential in the dance world, they still do work as humble shoemakers – only now they handcraft footwear for Disney productions, famous circuses, and other notable performing groups.

Capezio fans over the years include Fred Astaire, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bob Fosse. They are also cherished by the Radio City Rockettes and other dance groups that are known throughout the world.

Extending beyond just footwear and dance apparel, Capezio has started Peridance, which is a dance school located in New York City. They host summer intensives, a grade school program, and even a foreign exchange organization. Peridance School is home to the Peridance Company, which rehearses and performs at the Salvatore Capezio Theatre. At Peridance you can take technique classes in all forms, and instructors and choreographers come from all over the world to teach and contribute. You can also sign up for fitness classes for increased strength and flexibility.

More Peridance Information can be found on Capezio’s official website. And like many other Capezio destinations, you can visit their shoe/apparel store while at Peridance.

Capezio dance shop sponsors and finances a dance award and grant program for dancers who are making a difference in both the community and in the arts. Application instructions can be found online.

If you want to support Capezio’s endeavors, purchasing their products will be a simple pleasure. Located literally everywhere from specialty boutiques to department stores, Capezio now carries not only dance footwear, but also leotards, t-shirts, dance pants, sweats, warm up clothes, performance accessories, and even note cards. Visit their store locator to find the supplier in your town.

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