One World Gala, with Rivera, Minnelli, Etc., Held 10/23

Rolex will present "One World: A Spectacular Global Celebration," Career Transition For Dancers' 21st  Anniversary Jubilee, tonight, Monday, October 23, 2006 at 7:00 pm at New York City Center (131 West 55 Street, between 7 and 6 Aves.). The evening will be followed by an Anniversary Supper with the Stars at Hilton New York's Grand Ballroom. 

"The Gala will showcase the bringing together of diverse cultures through the universal art form of dance.  Highlighting a variety of ethnic dance as well as ballet and modern, 'One World' celebrates our sameness and reflects the rich cultural fabric of New York City for the entertainment-dance event of the year," state press materials.

The evening will include appearances by Mercedes Ellington, Sutton Foster, James Earl Jones, Liza Minnelli, Bebe Neuwirth, and features special performances by artists from: American Ballet Theatre; BALAM Dance Theatre; Ballet de Monterrey; Dance China NY; Donny Golden Irish Dance; Drum Café NY; Sachiyo Ito; The Joffrey Ballet; Eric Lewis; Luna Negra Dance Theater; National Dance Institute of New Mexico; Ologunde; Parul Shah Dance Co.; Billy Porter; Noah Racey; Rosie's Broadway Kids; San Francisco Ballet; Sounds of Korea; Thunderbird American Indian Dancers; Mr. Wiggles plus more Stars and surprises.  It is produced & directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo and written by Deborah Grace Winer.  As in the past, the Gala will feature some World Premieres that are especially created for the show (artists & program subject to change),

The Rolex Dance Award will be presented to Chita Rivera, who is one of the theatre's most acclaimed performers. She has won two Tony Awards (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink) and received six additional Tony nominations. She has been acclaimed as "our strongest link to the Golden Age of the American Musical."  A CTFD Award will be presented to the Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation for outstanding contributions to the world of dance.

The annual event is a benefit for Career Transition For Dancers. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, CTFD has helped over 3,200 professional dancers identify their unique talents in preparation for establishing new careers when dance is no longer an option.         

There are still some show only tickets for $125, $75, $55 and $45 at the box office and also by calling CityTix  (212) 581-1212 or online at www.nycitycenter.org. Gala tickets, which include the performance and a post-performance 'Anniversary Waltz Supper with the Stars', auction and dancing at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York can be obtained  please call Marjorie Horne, McEvoy & Assocs. at (212) 228-7446 x33. The phone number for CTFD is (212) 764-0172.

Visit www.careertransition.org for more information.