Photo Flash: Kickoff of Career Transition For Dancers’ 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee

On October 6, Michele and Lawrence Herbert hosted a pre-gala kickoff cocktail reception at their Park Avenue apartment for the upcoming Rolex presents Career Transition For Dancers' 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee - A Star-Studded Retrospective to be hosted by five time Tony Award winner and legendary Broadway musical star Angela Lansbury on November 8, at New York City Center followed by an Anniversary Supper with the Stars at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York.

When all the guests had arrived, Michele - who is one of the 25th Anniversary Chairs along with Anniversary Chair along with her dear friends Anka Palitz, Nicole Sexton and Allen Brill - took center stage to officially thank the assembled crowd for their support and announced that they had already raised $860,000 toward their goal of $1 million.

Anka Palitz who has chaired the Jubilee for many years had the pleasure of announcing the stellar roster of honorees this year: The 2010 Rolex Dance Award will be presented to Twyla Tharp. The Career Transition For Dancers' Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance will be presented to the organization's four union founders: Actors' Equity Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Guild of Musical Artists, Screen Actors Guild - Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund; as well as an award each to The Barth Family and to the CTFD President Cynthia G. Fischer. Also at the gala the Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation will present Trisha Brown with the 59th annual Capezio Dance Award.

Ann Marie DeAngelo who produces and directs the show each year excited the crowd with the program for the Jubilee evening which features Tony Award Winners: Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune, Karen Ziemba and Marvin Hamlisch. Featuring artists from some of America's greatest dance companies: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, MOMIX, National Dance Institute, and Parsons Dance, will perform at the entertainment/dance event of the new season. There will be show-stopping Broadway numbers from" 42nd Street" and "Chicago" and more stars, at this once-in-a-lifetime event that is not-to-be-missed! Ms. DeAngelo recreated one of Peter Martins' grand jetes to their delight and drew howls from Martins who was in the room.

Guests feasted on curried chicken on baby lettuce, lobster rolls, seared tuna on wasabi coated crisps and mini burgers while listening to society favorite Lee Glantz at the piano delighting all with a range of show tunes and classics before many of them headed off to the Opera.