Photo Coverage: Career Transition For Dancers Celebrates 31st Anniversary Jubilee

Last night's Career Transition For Dancers 31st Anniversary Jubilee at the New York Marriott Marquis? was a great success. The evening honored Joe Lanteri/the New York City Dance Alliance? Foundation, and philanthropists Barbara and Donald Tober for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance. The gala benefit evening raised $800,000 and was presented by the Lloyd E. Rigler-Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation and benefits The Actors Fund's CTFD services for the dance community.

CTFD is now a program of The Actors Fund, and services for dancers and the dance community include career planning and transition; health, wellness and support for injured dancers; as well as emergency financial assistance and scholarships. Special thanks to our Gala Chairs Anka Palitz, Michele Riggi and Ann Van Ness, producer and director Ann Marie DeAngelo and Sotheby's auctioneer C. Hugh Hildesley.

The evening's guest performers included Tommy Tune?, Bebe Neuwirth and Desmond Richardson as well as special tribute performances by dancers and special guests including Tony Waag and American Tap Dance Foundation?; Arthur Murray Dance Center?; Columbus Circle; Ballet NY; The Broadway Dance Lab?; Lynn Cohen; Cincinnati Ballet?; Complexions Contemporary Ballet; Dance Theatre of Harlem?; Natalie Enterline; Parsons Dance?; Melanie LaPatin; Mark Stuart Dance Theatre?; The Rockette Alumnae; and Joanna Rush, "Kick".

Anka Palitz, Michele Riggi and Ann Vanness

Andy and Elly Blankenbuehler

Ann Vanness, Anka Palitz

Bill and Ann Vanness

Christina Rose, Michele Riggi, Anka Palitz, Ann Vanness, Michelle Herbert, Abby Schroeder

Desmond Richardson

Honoree Joe Lanteri and Andy Blankenbuehler

Honoree Joe Lanteri and Desmond Richardson

Joe Benincasa, Joe Lanteri, Barbara and Donald Tober

Anka Palitz, Donald and Barbara Tober

Bebe Neuwirth, David Warren Gibson and Pam Sousa

Bebe Neuwirth

Desmond Richardson

Elena Damario and Ian Spring of Parsons Dance

Jamie Verazin and Mark Stuart of Mark Stuart Dance Theatre

Nathalie Enterline