BALLET HISPÁNICO
Announces "Carnaval" 2016 Gala to Benefit Programs That Celebrate Latino Culture Through Dance
Honoring
RICHARD E. FELDMAN, President of the SHS Foundation
LINDA CELESTE SIMS, Ballet Hispánico Alumna & Principal Dancer of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
at The Plaza Hotel in New York on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 6:30 pm
New York, NY - On Monday, May 16, 2016, Ballet Hispánico proudly honors Richard E. Feldman with the Civic Inspiration Award and Linda Celeste Sims with the Nuestra Inspiración Award at its annual Gala in The Plaza Hotel's Grand Ballroom, 768 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Cocktails begin at 6:30 pm and dinner and dancing commence at 7:30 pm. Proceeds, which last year totaled just over $1.1M, benefit the creation of new Company works, need-based financial aid and merit scholarships in the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance, and community arts education programs.
"Carnaval," the inspiration for this year's gala, is a beloved Latino celebration of life through music and dance. The evening will feature performances by the Ballet Hispánico Company, the rising stars of the second company BHdos, and students of the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance, along with live music by Latin band Los Hacheros.
"Our 'Carnaval' is an exciting way to showcase the vibrant programs and vision of Ballet Hispánico's unparalleled mission," said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico. "The evening will shine a spotlight on the dynamic growth of Ballet Hispánico throughout its 45-year legacy, and its future as the new expression of American contemporary dance."
Richard E. Feldman, President of the SHS Foundation, will receive the Civic Inspiration Award. Rosie Herrera, Miami-based artistic director of Rosie Herrera Dance Theater and an alumna of Ballet Hispánico's Instituto Coreográfico choreography lab, will present him with the award. Ballet Hispánico Company and School Alumna & Principal Dancer of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Linda Celeste Sims will receive the Nuestra Inspiración Award, presented by Ballet Hispánico Honorary Chairman Jody Gottfried Arnhold.
"Through Richard's commitment to the arts and his visionary work leading the SHS Foundation, he has made a lasting impression on the world of dance and facilitated the growth of dancers and choreographers here at Ballet Hispánico," said Kate Lear, Chair of Ballet Hispánico's Board of Directors. "Linda's significant accomplishments as an exquisite dancer and inspiration to young people exemplify the values we work to instill in youth across the nation. We are enormously proud to count on Richard and Linda as part of the Ballet Hispánico family, and are thrilled to honor them."
The event is headed by Gala Chairs Jody and John Arnhold, Kate Lear and Jon LaPook, and David Pérez and Milena Alberti.
Benefactors: James F. McCoy and Alfio J. Hernandez, Martin and Perry Granoff, Charle S. Wortman and Laura Baldwin, Jessica Rodriguez, and Univision Communications Inc.
Benefit Committee: Ronald K. Brown, Brian and Shirley Colona, Ann Marie DeAngelo, The Fribourg Family, Lois Greenfield, Lourdes Lopez, Lar Lubovitch, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Arturo O'Farrill, Xiomara Reyes, Olivier Rustat, Septime Webre, William Whitener, Lisa & Mehmet Oz, Michelle & Stephen Dizard, Herb Scannell, Prince International Corporation and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
The attire for the event is a festive Black Tie. To purchase tickets, a table, a journal advertisement, or for more information, please contact Danielle Aversa at (212) 362-6710, x 44, or daversa@ballethispanico.org.
ABOUT BALLET HISPÁNICO
Celebrating 45 years of sharing and reflecting the ever-changing diversity of Latino cultures, Ballet Hispánico is the new expression of American contemporary dance. Led by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, the Company has produced world-class, multifaceted performances that have featured master works by Nacho Duato, cutting-edge premieres by Cayetano Soto and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and live music collaborations with renowned artists such as Paquito D'Rivera and Ruben Blades-to name a notable few. Ballet Hispánico has performed for audiences totaling over 3 million, throughout 11 countries, and on 3 continents. Through the work of its professional company, school of dance, and community arts education programs, Ballet Hispánico celebrates the dynamic aesthetics of the Hispanic diaspora, building new avenues of cultural dialogue and sharing the joy of dance with all communities. For more information, visit www.ballethispanico.org. Follow Ballet Hispanico on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
EDUARDO VILARO joined Ballet Hispánico as Artistic Director in August 2009, becoming only the second person to head the company since it was founded in 1970. In 2015, Mr. Vilaro took on the additional role of Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Hispánico. He has been part of the Ballet Hispánico family since 1985 as a principal dancer and educator, after which he began a ten-year record of achievement as Founder and Artistic Director of Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago. Mr. Vilaro has infused Ballet Hispánico's legacy with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America's changing cultural landscape. Born in Cuba and raised in New York from the age of six, he is a frequent speaker on the merits of cultural diversity and dance education.
RICHARD E. FELDMAN is a native New Yorker born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens. He attended public schools, the City University of New York and Rutgers Law School. He was the Deputy Bureau Chief of the New York State Attorney General's office before becoming a partner in the Manhattan law firm of Sonnenschein Sherman & Deutsch. Ten years ago he became the President of the Samuel H. Scripps (The SHS Foundation). The mission of the SHS Foundation is to support the performing arts. Richard's grants have allowed dance companies to expand their vision and have been influential in launching the careers of young choreographers. He serves on the Boards of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the American Dance Festival, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
LINDA CELESTE SIMS
A principal dancer for Alvin Ailey since 1996, Linda Celeste Sims (Bronx, NY) began her dance training at Ballet Hispánico School of Dance and is a graduate of LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. In addition to a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts award, Mrs. Sims won Outstanding Performance at the 2014 New York Dance and Performance Awards ("The Bessies"). Featured on the cover of Dance Magazine, and in annual "Best of" lists, she has performed as a guest star on So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, and The Today Show. Mrs. Sims has also made guest appearances at the White House Dance Series, Youth America Grand Prix, Vail International Dance Festival, and galas in Budapest and Vienna. She teaches classes around the world and is a certified Floor-Barre instructor.
Pictures of the 2015 edition:
