| On Saturday, May 5, The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College celebrates 40 years of world-class music, dance, theater, film, comedy, and family programming. Guests will be treated to the premiere of a new work by Jessica Lang Dance, which was developed on the Purchase campus and is set to the music of the legendary Tony Bennett. The choreography of Jessica Lang, Artistic Director and a former Twyla Tharp dancer, has been described as “reliably sophisticated and achingly beautiful” by the Chicago Tribune. Lang and her company aim to make their performances full sensory experiences into which onlookers, whether they be balletomanes or dance novices, can completely submerge themselves. Her work blends the fluidity and grounded quality of contemporary dance and the beautiful lines of traditional ballet to great modern effect. “When conceptualizing our 40th anniversary,” said Interim Director Seth Soloway, “I was struck by two things, first, that the season should be a step into the future with a nod to our history — a work by Jessica Lang scored to Tony Bennett’s legendary music really fit. Second, in terms of honoring, it was very clear that we could never credit any one person for all the 40 years. This institution has an unparalleled history of generous donors, volunteers, and artists, honoring as many of them as possible was the least we could do.” Among the honorees are treasured patrons, including Bunny and Christopher T. Clark, The Honorable Suzi Oppenheimer and Martin J. Oppenheimer, Jennifer and M. James Sandling, and Barbara and Richard Dannenberg, and artistic companies, including the Paul Taylor Dance Company, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, ArtsWestchester, and the Westchester Philharmonic. The performance begins at 8 in the Concert Hall. For tickets, call the Box Office at 251-6200 or visit www.artscenter.org. Gala guests will enjoy cocktails and dinner before the performance followed by a post-performance Meet the Artists dessert reception. Gala tickets are $500. Caption: Dancers Kana Kimura and John Harnage, courtesy of Jessica Lang Dance. Photo by Milan Misko |
