CDA welcomed Ballet Nacional de Cuba to L.A. with a warm embrace-Havana style-with delicious food, fresh cane-pressed mojitos, and mambo-till-you-drop dancing to the beat of a hot ten-piece Cuban band. The revelry was beautifully orchestrated by prima hostess assoluta, Rosette Delug, in her contemporary art-filled home with stunning views of our city arrayed before us. There was much cause for celebration. Besides marking the first visit to L.A. by the company in more than ten years, we also cheered as the band kicked off the evening with a salsa rendition of "Happy Birthday" for ballerina Amaya Rodriquez. Then we learned that two BNdC dancers had returned from their wedding in Las Vegas, thankfully in time to perform for us at Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. CDA members and their Cuban guests danced the night away around the pool, fueling their energy with the most incredible freshly made mini donuts (we chose to believe the claim that they were low-cal and low-fat). As my husband and I were leaving, thanking Rosette for hosting such a memorable evening, Bill said that though the house and view were incredibly beautiful, the most beautiful view of all was the dancers' gorgeous legs! - Jane Jelenko, CDA President Left: Dancers from Ballet Nacional de Cuba take a break from classical ballet for the evening; Right: Hostess Rosette Delug with producer and dance aficionado Nigel Lythgoe Photos by Josh Krause/HP Photography

CDA Celebrates Ailey

April 7, 2011

Center Dance Arts and the Music Center celebrated Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater at a spring gala at the home of hosts Mattie and Michael Lawson. This event was co-chaired by Alyce de Roulet Willamson, Ricki Ring, and Susan Rothenberg. The elegant, festive event honored Ailey's Artistic Director Judith Jamison and Robert Battle, Artistic Director Designate. Highlights of the evening included cocktails and dinner in a beautiful garden setting and club lounge at the Lawson's Hancock Park estate. A spectacular Plexiglas sheath covered the pool area creating a magical dining atmosphere for VIP guests. Our presenting sponsors for the evening were Allstate Insurance Company and Alyce de Roulet Williamson. Celebrity co-hosts for the evening included famed actor and Allstate spokesman Dennis Haysbert, and acclaimed actress/producer/director/dancer Debbie Allen with her husband, former Los Angeles Laker Norm Nixon. I especially enjoyed mingling with the dancers and sharing experiences about their North American tour. It was also great fun to warm up the dance floor with Glorya Kaufman and dance superstar Desmond Richardson. Guests were greatly excited about the return of Alvin Ailey® to the Music Center for an unprecedented 10 performances this April. Ailey's extraordinary dancers amazed and inspired packed houses with their passion and power which brought audiences to their feet each night! This incredible gala supported KDMC's most ambitious season to date as well as its essential outreach and education efforts which included bringing more than 6,000 underserved Los Angeles middle and high school students to the Music Center to experience the joy and artistry of Ailey. - Laura Hein, CDA Leadership Council Judith Jamison, Debbie Allen, and Glorya Kaufman. Photo: Howard Pasamanick Photography

Meet the Dancers! Nederlands Dans Theater I

March 23, 2011

Center Dance Arts and Music Center Annual Fund members joined the company and leadership of Nederlands Dans Theater I after their opening night performance at the Meet the Dancers! Q&A and reception. CDA Member Milena Dostanich talking to members of NDT I. Photo: Kathryn Ballsun

CDA Dance Salon: An Evening with Benjamin Millepied

February 28, 2011

CDA held an exciting salon hosted by Catharine and Jeffrey Soros at the private members club Soho House West Hollywood on February 28, 2011. The evening was highlighted with a program moderated by Renae Williams Niles featuring New York City Ballet principal dancer and choreographer, Benjamin Millepied. In his already distinguished career, Millepied has choreographed for many world-renowned companies including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Paris Opera Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Millepied discussed many topics including his youth in Senegal, his extensive work with New York City Ballet, as well the more technical aspects of choreographing the Oscar winning film Black Swan. Through his work with the acclaimed film he met his fiancé, the film’s lead and now Oscar-winning actress, Natalie Portman. With the Academy Awards held the previous evening, the energy in Soho House was vibrant, adding to the excitement of the event! See more pictures of the Benjamin Millepied salon on Facebook (account not required). Dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied speaks to Center Dance Arts members and guests.

CDA Dance Salon: An Evening with Zippora Karz

January 20, 2011

Hosted by Robin and Elliott Broidy at their home, CDA held a magnificent salon featuring a presentation by the lovely and captivating Zippora Karz. A former New York City Ballet Soloist and author of The Sugarless Plum: A Ballerina's Triumph Over Diabetes, Zippora gave an intimate look into her life as a rising ballerina facing the devastating diagnosis of diabetes at age 21. The presentation was followed by a Q&A and book signing, where guests received signed copies of The Sugarless Plum courtesy of the Broidys. Our amazing hosts also made sure guests' sweet tooths were satisfied by providing a delicious spread of decadent deserts. The event was an engaging and unforgettable night - another wonderful evening with CDA! See more pictures of the Zippora Karz Salon on Facebook (account not required). Zippora Karz speaks to CDA members and guests about her life as a professional ballerina with diabetes. Photo by Kathryn Ballsun

Dancing Across Borders DVD Release

December 2010

The incredible film Dancing Across Borders has been released on DVD! If you use this link to purchase the film, CDA will receive 15% of the proceeds. What a great way to see and support amazing dance!

About Dancing Across Borders

Dancing Across Borders is the intimate and triumphant story of Sokvannara "Sy" Sar, who as a young man in Cambodia was dancing with a small troupe in Angkor Wat when Anne Bass, a longtime patron of dance in America, saw him perform. Bass was so taken with Sy's talent and potential that she arranged for him to come to New York and audition for the prestigious School of American Ballet. What unfolds in Dancing Across Borders is a tentative negotiation between Sy and the world of American ballet and culture - from the serene countryside of Southeast Asia to the high-powered rehearsal studios of New York, and finally to the stage of the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. The film follows Sy's unusual development as a dancer and offers an astonishing, behind-the-scenes look into the world of American ballet.

Meet the Dancers! Corella Ballet

November 5, 2010

In only their second American appearance and in their West Coast debut, Corella Ballet stunned the audience with their incredible talent and wide ranging abilities at the first engagement of the Dance at the Music Center 10|11 season. CDA members and dance supporters joined the company after the performance at the Meet the Dancers! Q&A and reception. Principal dancers Herman Cornejo, Carmen Corella, Natalie Tapia, and Dayron Vera with Artistic Director Angel Corella spoke to event guests about their experiences and the importance of family to the young ballet company. Afterwards, the whole ballet corps spent time taking pictures and talking with guests. See more pictures of the Corella Ballet event on Facebook (account not required). (L-R) Natalie Tapia, Angel Corella, Renae Williams-Niles, Carmen Corella, Herman Cornejo, and Dayron Vera. Photo by Kathryn Ballsun

 

Chairman's Tea and 10|11 KDMC Season Kick-Off

October 11, 2010

CDA kicked off the year with the inaugural Chairman's Tea, hosted by Mattie McFadden-Lawson, and celebration of the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center 10|11 season at Neiman Marcus. Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry honored CDA for their support of KDMC, and Honorary CDA Board members Dennis Haysbert and Julie McDonald joined the festivities. Music Center Director of Dance Presentations Renae Williams Niles gave a fabulous preview of the 10|11 dance season, including a video sneak peek of each of the companies performing. Everyone left with a special gift from Neiman Marcus and a LOT of excitement about the upcoming season! See more pictures of the Chairman's Tea on Facebook (account not required). CDA President Jane Jelenko and Chair Mattie McFadden-Lawson with LA City Councilwoman Jan Perry. Photo by Howard Pasamanick.