$1,087,050.50 Raised At ROLEX's A HALLOWEEN THRILLER

$1,087,050.50 was raised on Monday, October 31st, when Rolex presented A HALLOWEEN THRILLER A Dance Celebration of Ghosts, Ghouls, Vampires & Wilis, - Career Transition For Dancers' 26th Anniversary Jubilee to a capacity audience at the newly renovated New York City Center. Chita Rivera, one of Broadway's most accomplished and versatile dancer/actress/singers, hosted the one-night-only entertainment extravaganza for kids and adults of all ages! The thrilling show astonished with fun and spine-tingling works in an array of styles - woven together in a "spook-tacular" celebration of dance-entertainment. The post performance, dinner and dance for 752, included a live auction with record breaking bids totaling $110,000, plus an additional $10,000 after-auction appeal that had the celebrants dancing into the wee hours.

Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth with some former Bob Fosse dancers opened the show with "Magic To Do" from Pippin, followed by the National Dance Institute and other children performing Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Some of the other fantastic musical numbers were Noah Racey and The New York Song & Dance Company performing Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin" and the dazzling world premiere of Mark Stuart Dance Theatre - "Interference." The magical evening also included other premieres that included: Carolina Ballet - "Dracula" (NYC Premiere); "The Bell Witch" (World Premiere) with Lynn Cohen; American Repertory Ballet - excerpt from "Pathways" (World Premiere). Some of the other fantastic dance numbers were: "Hexentanz" (Witch Dance) based on the original by Mary Wigman; Houston Ballet - Giselle Pas De Deux Act II; Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo - "The Dying Swan"; Peter Pucci Plus Dancers - "Surfing"; "The Raven" choreographed by David Fernandez and starring Charles Askegard, Daniel Ulbricht and Savannah Lowery of New York City Ballet and the Tap City Youth Ensemble (a project of the American Tap Dance Foundation) - "Tap Dancing Skeletons". There were also performances by The Street Beats Group and Lypsinka as well as feature appearances by Tony Award Winner Donna McKechnie, Carmen DeLavallade, and Judith Jamison.

Rolex Watch USA President & CEO Stewart Wicht previously stated "Rolex is proud to present Career Transition For Dancers' Gala and to give the 2011 Rolex Dance Award to Mr. Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator/executive producer of "So You Think You Can Dance" and Executive Producer of "American Idol." The Career Transition For Dancers Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance were given to: Victor Elmaleh; Nancy MacMillan; Michele Riggi; National Museum of Dance.

The 26th Anniversary Chairs were Michele Herbert, Anka K. Palitz and Stewart Wicht; Gala Chairs were: Victor Elmaleh, Darlene & Brian Heidtke, Nancy & Duncan MacMillian, Michele & Ronald Riggi. The Dinner Chair was Janice Becker; Auction Chair: Ann Van Ness; and the Journal Chair: Craig Dix. Vice Chairs were Alexander J. Dubé, Mercedes Ellington, Vicki & Christopher Kellogg, Christina Rose, Nicole Sexton and Irene Shen. Honorary Chairs were Robert Battle, Jacques d'Amboise, Marcelo Gomes, Cynthia Gregory, Gelsey Kirkland, Darci Kistler, Angela Lansbury, Natalia Markarova, Peter Martins, Donna McKechnie, Liza Minnelli, Jerry Mitchell, Bebe Neuwirth, Sono Osato, David Parsons, Ann Reinking, Chita Rivera, Desmond Richardson, Tommy Tune, Christopher Wheeldon & Karen Ziemba. The show was produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo.

Career Transition For Dancers, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, has helped over 5,100 professional dancers in 47 states identify their unique talents in preparation for establishing new careers when dance is no longer an option. Since its founding in 1985, the organization has provided more than 51,000 hours (equivalent to over $5 million) of one-on-one career counseling and program services - at no cost - and has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships for education, entrepreneurial grants, and certification programs. The organization also provides dancers with specialized services including transition seminars and workshops, peer support groups, resource centers, a toll-free national career counseling hotline, a website, and the National Career Network. The Caroline & Theodore Newhouse Center for Dancers is located at 165 W 46 Street Suite 701 (at Broadway - the Actors' Equity Building) NYC 10036. The phone number is 212 764-0172 and the fax is 212 764-0343. In Los Angeles 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 455, LA; 90036; 323 549-6660 and fax 323 549-6810. In Chicago at Hubbard Street Dance Center 1147 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607; 312 666-0234 and fax 312 455-8240. www.careertransition.org.

Patron tickets were $600, $750 & $1,200 that included premium show seating, post Masquerade Supper with the Stars, dancing and a live auction at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York. Journal ads and sponsorships were also available. The Show only tickets were: $45, $55, $75, $90 and $130.