New Orleans Ballet Association’s BRAVO has done it again! Throwing three successful fundraisers in the space of three months: the Exclusive Dance Party with the Artists of Ballet Hispánico, Jan. 31; the Benefactors’ Dinner, Feb. 18 and An Afternoon with Ailey, March 22.
The Exclusive Dance Party with the Artists of Ballet Hispánico was at the Cabildo, where got a sneak peek of a portion of “CARMEN.maquia” performed before the official production the following night. Ballet Hispánico CEO and Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro and dancers were on hand to mingle, and two of the artists led a Latin dance movement lesson for patrons.
The Benefactors’ Dinner, co-chaired by Gregory Curtis and Charlotte Bollinger, was themed “A Triumvirate of Women Who Have Colored the NOBA World,” honoring longtime NOBA supporters, former/current NOBA board members and BRAVO Presidents Deborah Alciatore, Jacquee Carvin and Teresa Guzzetta. Held at The Windsor Court, the event also featured a live auction with five deluxe items; Matt Rinard was the auctioneer.
“An Afternoon with Ailey” featured a jazz brunch and exclusive performances of “Revelations” and “Grace” by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. The jazz music was provided by the Roots of Music, and a second line helped patrons get into the spirit of the day. Performances by the Ailey, which was in residency with NOBA, were March 21 and the evening of March 22. The event was chaired by Stephanie Burks.
Fun Fact: At the Ailey event, purple and
white paper umbrellas hand-painted by Stephanie Burks and Martine Chaisson Linares acted as decor and were used by patrons when they did a second line into the theater.
