2015 Vision Gala

The Scene: Dance Theatre of Harlem’s 2015 Vision Gala

The Scene: Dance Theatre of Harlem’s 2015 Vision Gala

vision gala

On Tuesday, February 24, 2015 the Dance Theatre of Harlem hosted their 2015 Vision Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. The Vision Gala is the organization’s most prominent fundraising event of the year. Proceeds from the gala benefits the Next Generation Fund, which provides scholarships  and financial assistance to the Dance Theatre of Harlem School and the Community Engagement Fund, supporting arts education and community programs.

2015 Vision Gala

Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman and DTH Students (Photo by Joseph Rodman)

In addition to raising funds, the event’s hosts honored Grammy Award-Winning Opera Singer Jessye Norman with the Arthur Mitchell Vision Award; Theodore Bartwink (post-humously) and the Harkness Center for Dance with the Carl & Lily Pforzheimer Family Foundation Medal; Virtuoso Award Honorees Mario Baeza and Under Armour, Inc.

2015 Vision Gala

The 2015 Vision Gala night started off with an amazing open bar cocktail hour in the foyer of the stunning Cipriani 42nd street. Guests mingled, took photos and caught up with their old friends; all while enjoying great crafted cocktails such as the Bellini Cipriani.

Virginia Johnson and Lori Stokes vision gala
Virginia Johnson and Lori Stokes (Photo by Joseph Rodman)

Following the cocktail hour, guests were seated for dinner where they dined on lobster salad, filet mignon, and an assortment of desserts, including lemon meringue with strawberries and chocolate souffle with raspberries and cream.

2015 Vision Gala

2015 vision gala
Da’ Von Doane, Ashley Murphy (Photo by Joseph Rodman)

For entertainment, there were three outstanding performances by dancers from the Dance Theatre Harlem Company and students from the Dance Theatre of Harlem School. The live auction during the event was upbeat and entertaining as Audrey Smaltz auctioneered to ultimately raise $50,000.

Michael Armstrong, Leanne Fremar, Hannah Storm, Leslie W. Morris
Michael Armstrong, Leanne Fremar, Hannah Storm, Leslie W. Morris (Photo Joseph Rodman)

After dining and watching the performances, guests took to the dance floor to end the night. The crowd was all smiles while dancing the night away to a great mix of new and old soul and r&b.

2015 vision gala Joan Finkelstein and Alan Kifferstein
Joan Finkelstein and Alan Kifferstein (Photo by Joseph Rodman)

To learn more about the Dance Theatre of Harlem, visit: http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.org/

 

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