Dance Theatre of Harlem to Honor Gladys Knight at 5th Annual Vision Gala

Dance Theatre of Harlem (Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director; Anna Glass, Executive Director), one of the world's leading dance institutions, currently in its 47th year, will honor the "Empress of Soul," Grammy-winning music legend Gladys Knight, the 106th First Lady of New York City Joyce Dinkins and the multinational law firm Latham & Watkins LLP at its 5th Annual Vision Gala, held immediately following the Wednesday, April 6 opening night performance of the company's triumphant return to New York City Center (131 West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues). The four-performance engagement will culminate on Saturday, April 9 with Black Ballerina Magic: A Tribute, a special program celebrating and paying tribute to black ballerinas.

The celebratory Vision Gala coincides with Dance Theatre of Harlem's April 6 opening night performance at the New York City followed by dinner and dancing at the world-famous Russian Tea Room (150 W. 57th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues). For more information about the Vision Gala, or to purchase a combination performance and Gala ticket, please call (212) 889-4694. For tickets to the performance only portion of the April 6 opening night, or for tickets to any other performance during the engagement through April 9, please visit www.DanceTheatreofHarlem.org, call (212) 581-1212 or stop by the New York City Center box office located at 131 West 55th Street.

Dance Theatre of Harlem will pay special tribute to black ballerinas at its 8pm performance on Saturday, April 9, the final performance of the company's 2016 City Center engagement. The program, Black Ballerina Magic: A Tribute, will feature former black ballerinas from Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Confirmed attendees include: Debra Austin (NY City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet), Lauren Anderson (Houston Ballet), Lydia Abarca Mitchell (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Karen Brown (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Christina Johnson (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Melanie Pearson (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Judy Tyrus (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Kellye Saunders (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Endalyn Taylor (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Theara Ward (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Valencia Yearwood (Dance Theatre of Harlem) and Zalika Warren (Dance Theatre of Harlem). Black Ballerina Magic: A Tribute is sponsored in part by the Ford Foundation.

Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem,said today, "For our second year at City Center, Dance Theatre of Harlem will offer our hallmark, wide-ranging repertoire as well as a first look at a newly launched major initiative, Women Who Move Us, a platform of opportunity to showcase the power and diversity of female choreographers in this art form. We are also thrilled to celebrate the extensive history of black women in ballet with Black Ballerina Magic: A Tribute. "

As previously announced, following last year's blockbuster homecoming at the legendary New York City Center, the 2016 engagement will feature a program of NY premieres and audience favorites by such celebrated choreographers as Nacho Duato, Robert Garland, Elena Kunikova, Dianne McIntyre and Helen Pickett.

Programming for Dance Theatre of Harlem's 2016 New York City Center Season:

Wednesday, April 6 at 7pm: Opening Night Performance and Vision Gala

Divertimento (New York Premiere) by Elena Kunikova

Change (New York Premiere) by Dianne McIntyre

A Gladys Knight Tribute by Robert Garland featuring Students of the Dance Theatre of Harlem School

Return by Robert Garland

PROGRAM A: Friday, April 8 at 8pm

Divertimento (New York Premiere) by Elena Kunikova

When Love by Helen Pickett

Change (New York Premiere) by Dianne McIntyre

Coming Together by Nacho Duarto

PROGRAM B: Saturday, April 9 at 2pm: Family Matinée

Divertimento (New York Premiere) by Elena Kunikova

Change (New York Premiere) by Dianne McIntyre

Coming Together by Nacho Duato

Return by Robert Garland

Special post Family Matinée event: Meet the Ballerina & Talk-Back with the Dancers

PROGRAM A - BLACK BALLERINA MAGIC: A TRIBUTE Saturday, April 9 at 8pm

Divertimento (New York Premiere) by Elena Kunikova

When Love by Helen Pickett

Black Ballerina Magic: A Tribute

Change (New York Premiere) by Dianne McIntyre

Coming Together by Nacho Duarto

-Programming is subject to change-

Please note: there is no performance on Thursday, April 7

Black Ballerina Magic: A Tribute is sponsored in part by the Ford Foundation.

Women Who Move Us was developed with a leadership gift by the Howard Gilman Foundation.

NY PREMIERE: In Divertimento, Elena Kunikova has created an homage to the great works of classical ballet. Filled with charming wit and virtuosity, this ballet for six dancers captures the elegance and precision of classical ballet.

NY PREMIERE: Dianne McIntyre's new ballet, Change, reflects on the enduring power of generations of African American women, who, through strength of spirit and vision, defied the odds and made a world.

Coming Together, by Nacho Duato, is a complex and exhilarating work set to the music of contemporary American composer, Frederic Rzewski. Duato uses the composer's restless repetition and structural intricacy to create a highly physical ballet that is both compelling and richly poetic.

Robert Garland's show-stopping Return redefines what is possible in the realm of ballet. Combining elegant pointe work and bravura pyrotechnical steps for the men with the gritty drive of funk, Return is set to Aretha Franklin and James Brown to create an explosion of dance power.

When Love, choreographer Helen Pickett's passionate love duet, takes the viewer on a journey of discovery as a man and a woman open themselves to the tenderness and wonder of the human embrace.

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