Dive into Dance at the Jacob’s Pillow Season Opening Gala
Published June 8th, 2009
PERFORMANCES BY ESTEEMED ARTISTS, PRESENTATION OF THE THIRD ANNUAL JACOB’S PILLOW DANCE AWARD AND DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY TO LIVE MUSIC BY UNITY
(Becket, MA) – Jacob’s Pillow kicks off its 2009 Festival on June 20 with the Season Opening Gala, the world-renowned dance organization’s biggest annual fundraising event. Following an exclusive Gala performance in the Ted Shawn Theatre and the presentation of the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award to Merce Cunningham, guests are treated to dinner and dancing to live music. This evening is widely celebrated as a signature summer event in the Berkshires and attracts a multitude of dance lovers, the Berkshire community, celebrities, government dignitaries, and visitors from around the world every year.
“Our Gala is always a joyous evening – full of dancing, both onstage and off. It’s all about celebrating this expansive art form and the people who support it,” comments Ella Baff, Executive Director of Jacob’s Pillow. ”The money we raise at the Gala auction will support scholarships for The School at Jacob’s Pillow. The Pillow is passionately committed to educating the next generation of professional dancers, and we and these aspiring artists need support more than ever.”
The Gala begins at 6:30pm with an exclusive mixed bill performance in the Ted Shawn Theatre. This show features Jason Samuels Smith, formerly of Savion Glover’s Broadway hit, Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, performing a solo that embodies the signature energy and musicality of tap dance. Gala attendees are the first to see a world premiere choreographed by Viktor Plotnikov for the 22 emerging professional dancers of the Ballet Program of The School at Jacob’s Pillow, to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in F minor. Andrea Miller’s witty and original choreography, influenced by her time with Batsheva’s Ohad Naharin, is performed by her company, Gallim Dance. in excerpts from I Can See Myself in Your Pupil, a work set to the music of the Israeli band Balkan Beat Box. New York City-based Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet rounds out the performance program; the company will unveil the world premiere of choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Orbo Novo at the Pillow in July. A new short film from the Pillow’s extensive dance Archives is also premiered.
A highlight of the Gala is the presentation of the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award, which honors and supports visionary choreographers. and is made possible by a generous anonymous donor. Given each year to an outstanding choreographer, the award carries a cash prize of $25,000 to be used by the artist to advance their creative development in any way they choose. This year’s Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award will be presented to Merce Cunningham, considered by many to be the world’s greatest living choreographer.
“Merce Cunningham is a brilliant thinker, dancemaker, and extraordinary person altogether. He has changed the way we see and understand dance and music,” comments Ella Baff. “We are proud to honor his contributions to our field, and his long-standing relationship with the Pillow, which dates back to 1955. It is with great respect and admiration that we present him with the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award in his 90th birthday year.”
Following the performance, guests enjoy dinner and dancing under the Gala tent on the Pillow’s Great Lawn at 8pm, with live music by Unity, one of Boston’s most popular party bands. A silent auction to benefit The School at Jacob’s Pillow, as well as the Pillow’s community enrichment programs, includes a wine tasting with famed restaurateur Danny Meyer, a visit to the set of the hit series Mad Men, a reserved table at the legendary Rao’s in New York, original photography by noted dance photographers, and much more.
The 2009 Season Opening Gala is chaired by Taryn Leavitt and Hunter K. Runnette. Individual tickets are $350-$750 and tables of eight are available for purchase from $2800-$6000. Call 413.243.9919 x24 for more information and to purchase tickets. All proceeds directly support the Festival, School, Archives, and Community Programs of Jacob’s Pillow.
About Jacob’s Pillow: Founded by dance legend Ted Shawn in 1933, Jacob’s Pillow celebrates its 77th season in 2009. The Pillow is home to a world-renowned international dance Festival that presents dance annually on three performance stages for nearly three months. The Pillow also supports artists to create new work through commissions and Creative Development Residencies. The School at Jacob’s Pillow encompasses a professional advancement program for dancers and choreographers as well as an Intern Program that trains young professionals in all areas of production and arts administration. Alumni of The School have gone on to perform with prestigious dance companies, in film, television and on Broadway, and former interns have been employed at arts organizations including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, British Council, and Mark Morris Dance Group. The Pillow’s rare and extensive Archives, open year-round to the public free of charge, chronicles the art form of dance in film, video, photographs, oral histories, correspondence, books, costumes, posters, audiotapes, and scrapbooks. Jacob’s Pillow’s year-round Community Programs enrich the lives of children and adults, and are yet another part of the Pillow’s cultural legacy. Jacob’s Pillow is the first and only dance entity in the United States to be declared a National Historic Landmark for the significance of its contribution to America’s culture—past and present. The Pillow’s 163-acre site was originally a family farm in the late 1700s. In the 1800s, the Pillow was known as a station on the Underground Railroad and in 2007, it was dedicated as a site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. For additional in-depth information regarding the history of Jacob’s Pillow, consult www.jacobspillow.org. Members of the press are encouraged to contact Mariclare Hulbert at 413.243.9919 ext. 29 or via email at mhulbert@jacobspillow.org.
Support for Jacob’s Pillow Dance comes, in part, from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
FOR INFORMATION OR PHOTOS CONTACT
Mariclare Hulbert, Communications Manager
413.243.9919 x29
mhulbert@jacobspillow.org
