1993-01-06

The iconic ballet dancer RUDOLF NUREYEV died on this date (b. 1938) Nureyev’s artistic skills explored expressive areas of the dance, providing a new role to the ballet male dancer who once served only as support to the women.

He defected from the Soviet Union despite KGB efforts. According to KGB archives studied by his biographer Peter Watson, Nikita Khrushchev personally signed an order to kill Nureyev.  Meow. Nyet means Nyet Nikita.

I briefly met Nureyev…naked at my kitchen table one morning. I was living in San Francisco with my boyfriend. We had a three bedroom apartment (for $190 a month!) and we had a roommate, Michael. It was Sunday morning and I was being a good boyfriend and getting up for coffee that I was going to bring back to bed. I walked into the kitchen (naked) and didn’t really notice, but Michael was sitting at the table with someone. As I turned to leave Michael (naked) spoke up, “Bo…this is Rudy. Rudy, this is my housemate, Bo.” I said good morning and was greeted in return with a thick Russian “good morning”. Michaek had brought Rudolph Nureyev home. Need I add that Rudy was….naked?

I quickly left the room to hurry back to tell Peter he really should go in and get his own cup of coffee. He did. And returned with mouth agape. We heard their bedroom door close and shortly thereafter the front door.