OBITUARIES - Gary Parks of Dance Magazine - Brief Article - Obituary

Dance Magazine, Dec, 1999 by Richard Philp

Gary Parks (1955-99). It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Parks, 44, best known as the associate editor in charge of reviews and a member of the Dance Magazine staff since July 1985. Gary died on Sunday, October 17, at his home in the Washington Heights section of New York City, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.

As one of our most valued editors during almost fourteen years, Gary served as news editor from 1985 to 1989, and as reviews editor from 1989 until shortly before his death. He is remembered with great affection, and the loss of his presence at the magazine and in the dance world will be deeply felt.

Gary had a B.A. in Art History from the University of North Carolina (1977) and an M.A. in Performance Studies from New York University (1983). He served as auditor for the New York State Council on the Arts for three years, was a member of the Board of Directors of the Dance Critics Association in the early 1980s, was assistant to the director of the American Dance Festival Critic's Conference; contributed as a dance writer to numerous journals and newspapers and was the regular dance critic for New York Newsday; and performed with the Carolina Dancers, The Chapel Hill Ballet, and Sachiyo Ito and Company before coming to Dance Magazine. He worked as a cataloguer at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and was an instructor for two years at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

For Dance Magazine, Gary traveled to major festivals in Europe, wrote features and reviews and news stories, and was held in highest regard for his meticulous attention to details and his cheerful presence.

Gary left behind a companion of many years, Bill Mitchell; his parents in Raleigh, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Parks; and extended family in North Carolina. Contributions can be made in Gary's memory to the North Shore Animal League, 750 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington, N.Y. 11050.