Mr. Alfred Bethel

Bethel, whose steps included the cakewalk, boogie, calypso, Lindy and Charleston, founded the Pepsi Bethel Authentic Jazz Dance Theater in the 1960s.

Born Alfred Bethel in North Carolina, his grandmother nicknamed him Pepsi after his favorite soft drink.

As a young dancer, Bethel perfected Lindy Hop steps at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.Before founding his own troupe, he performed with the Mura Dehn Jazz Ballet and other companies.

In 1969, the Bethel and Dehn companies were chosen by the State Department to perform in nine African countries as cultural emissaries.

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,obt,/dailyglobe2/250/obituaries/Pepsi Bethel 83 was choreographer+.shtml,/dailyglobe2/250/obituaries/Pepsi Bethel 83 was choreographer-.shtml,,NEW YORK - Pepsi Bethel, a jazz dancer and choreographer, died Aug. 30.He was 83.,15,,,E,Pepsi Bethel, 83, was choreographer,9/7/2002,By Associated Press,>," name=HideFromBrowserForVerity>

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Mr. Bethel was known for his expertise in a wide variety of dance steps and forms, including the cakewalk, boogie, calypso, Lindy, and Charleston.

In the 1960s, he founded his own dance troupe, the Pepsi Bethel Authentic Jazz Dance Theater, which performed African, folk, social and African American dance.

Born Alfred Bethel in North Carolina, his grandmother nicknamed him Pepsi after his favorite drink.

Bethel worked as a consultant and choreographer on several shows directed by Vernel Bagneris, including two productions of "One Mo' Time," the 1987 "Staggerlee" and the 1994 "Jelly Roll!"In 1980, his work was honored in "Celebration of Men in Dance" at the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center in Brooklyn.

This story ran on page E15 of the Boston Globe on 9/7/2002.© Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.

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Bethel, whose steps included the cakewalk, boogie, calypso, Lindy and Charleston, founded the Pepsi Bethel Authentic Jazz Dance Theater in the 1960s.

Born Alfred Bethel in North Carolina, his grandmother nicknamed him Pepsi after his favorite soft drink.

As a young dancer, Bethel perfected Lindy Hop steps at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.Before founding his own troupe, he performed with the Mura Dehn Jazz Ballet and other companies.In 1969, the Bethel and Dehn companies were chosen by the State Department to perform in nine African countries as cultural emissaries.

Bethel, whose steps included the cakewalk, boogie, calypso, Lindy and Charleston, founded the Pepsi Bethel Authentic Jazz Dance Theater in the 1960s.

Born Alfred Bethel in North Carolina, his grandmother nicknamed him Pepsi after his favorite soft drink.

As a young dancer, Bethel perfected Lindy Hop steps at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A2.

Bethel, whose steps included the cakewalk, boogie, calypso, Lindy and Charleston, founded the Pepsi Bethel Authentic Jazz Dance Theater in the 1960s.

Born Alfred Bethel in North Carolina, his grandmother nicknamed him Pepsi after his favorite soft drink.

As a very young dancer, Bethel perfected Lindy Hop steps at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.Before founding his own troupe, he performed with the Mura Dehn Jazz Ballet and other companies.In 1969, the Bethel and Dehn companies were chosen by the State Department to perform in nine African countries as cultural emissaries.

Bethel worked as a consultant and choreographer on several shows directed by Vernel Bagneris, including two productions of "One Mo' Time," the 1987 "Staggerlee" and the 1994 "Jelly Roll!"

In 1980, his work as a choreographer was honored in "Celebration of Men in Dance" at the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center in Brooklyn.