Ballet Hispanico's 2016 CARNAVAL Gala Raises More Than $1 Million

Ballet Hispánico raised more than $1 million in support of the company's artistic and educational work in New York City and around the country at their 2016 Galaon Monday, May 16, 2016.

Ballet Hispánico honored Richard E. Feldman with the Civic Inspiration Award and Linda Celeste Sims with the Nuestra Inspiración Award. The evening's festivities were hosted by Univision personality Lili Estefan, co-host of the network's "El Gordo y La Flaca." Proceeds from the evening will benefit the creation of new Company works, need-based financial aid and merit scholarships in the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance, and community arts education programs.

"We are thrilled to announce that we exceeded our goal of $1 million," said Kate Lear, Chair of Ballet Hispanico's Board of Directors. "The overwhelming generosity of our attendees and donors, along with the breathtaking talent of our professional and student dancers, made for a fantastic event with which to celebrate Ballet Hispánico's 45 years of changing lives."

This year's Gala, themed "Carnaval" and attended by 325 guests, was a Latino celebration of life through music and dance, featuring performances by the Ballet Hispánico Company, the rising stars of second company BHdos and students of the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance, along with live music by Latin band Los Hacheros.

Attendees included Gala Chairs Jody and John Arnhold, Kate Lear and Jon LaPook, and David Pérez and Milena Alberti; Benefactors Martin and Perry Granoff, James F. McCoy and Alfio J. Hernandez, Charle S. Wortman and Laura Baldwin, Jessica Rodriguez, Beth Owen-Wade, Brian and Shirley Colona, Michelle and Stephen Dizard, The Fribourg Family, Lisa and Mehmet Oz, Raul Pineda, Michael Rankowitz and Sheila Heffron, Olivier Rustat, Herb Scannell;Eduardo Vilaro, Lili Estefan, Rosie Herrera, Michelle Caruso-Cabrera and Stephen Dizard, Therese Caruso, Rita Rodriguez, Herb Scannell, James F. McCoy, Phil Colón, Olivier Rustat, Tina Ramirez, Richard Feldman, Sandra Rivera, Kathy Ross-Nash, Pedro Ruiz, Nancy Ticotin, Nancy Turano, Vanessa Valecillos, Rodney Hamilton, Linda Celeste Sims, Gale Brewer Manhattan Borough President, Marty and Perry Granoff , John and Gaily Beineke, Yue Bonnet, Cecilla Caceres, Cosme Caceres, Anne Cohen, John and Paula Connor, Paul Ellis/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Winston B. Layne, Maggie Lear, Teresa Narvaez, Florence Peyrelongue, Ann and Richard Sarnoff, Glenn Allen Sims, Heidi Stamas, and Richard and Maritza Williamson, Roger Kluge, Denise Roberts Hurlin.

ABOUT BALLET HISPÁNICO

Celebrating 45 years of sharing and reflecting the ever-changing diversity of Latino cultures, Ballet Hispánico is the new expression of American contemporary dance. Led by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, the Company has produced world-class, multifaceted performances that have featured master works by Nacho Duato, cutting-edge premieres by Cayetano Soto and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and live music collaborations with renowned artists such as Paquito D'Rivera and Ruben Blades-to name a notable few. Ballet Hispánico has performed for audiences totaling over 3 million, throughout 11 countries, and on 3 continents. Through the work of its professional company, school of dance, and community arts education programs, Ballet Hispánico celebrates the dynamic aesthetics of the Hispanic diaspora, building new avenues of cultural dialogue and sharing the joy of dance with all communities. For more information, visitwww.ballethispanico.org. Follow Ballet Hispanico on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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