The PAC Gala Celebrates 40 Years Of Performance Artistry With World Premiere Performance By Jessica Lang Dance

THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, PURCHASE COLLEGE (The PAC) is celebrating 40 years of world-class music, dance, theatre, film, comedy and family programming, with a very special evening starring Jessica Lang Dance (JLD). Jessica Lang, Artistic Director and a former Twyla Tharp dancer, whose choreography is "reliably sophisticated and achingly beautiful" (Chicago Tribune), will present the world premiere of a brand new work, developed on campus and set to the music of Tony Bennett.

The performance will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2018, 8pm in the Concert Hall at The PAC, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577. Tickets for the evening range in price from $32.50 to $500 and are available at http://www.artscenter.org/events/jessica-lang-dance/, 914-251-6200 or visiting the box office during business hours.

"I am thrilled to premiere this new work inspired by the music and art of legendary Tony Bennett on such a special celebratory evening with the support of the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College," says Lang. "I can't think of a better way to ring in spring!"

Lang and her company aim to make their performances full sensory experiences into which onlookers, whether they be balletomanes or dance novices, can completely submerge themselves. Her work blends the fluidity and grounded quality of contemporary dance and the beautiful lines of traditional ballet to great modern effect.

According to Interim Director, Seth Soloway, "When conceptualizing our 40th Anniversary I was struck by two things, first, that the season should be a step into the future with a nod to our history--a work by Jessica Lang scored to Tony Bennett's legendary music really fit. Second, in terms of honoring, it was very clear that we could never credit any one person for all the 40 years. This institution has an unparalleled history of generous donors, volunteers, and artists, honoring as many of them as possible was the least we could do. Being at the helm of all of this has been the greatest honor of my career and I look forward to celebrating with all who made this possible."

The gala and performance are the culmination of The PAC's 40th Anniversary Seasonof Celebration. Gala guests will enjoy cocktails and dinner before the performancefollowed by a post-performance Meet the Artists dessert reception. Throughout theevening, a number of treasured patrons and artist honorees will be recognized for theirlongstanding commitment and generosity to The PAC.
Honorees confirmed as of March 14, 2018 include ArtsWestchester, Fay and Norman Burger, Jane* and Donald Cecil, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Bunny andChristopher T. Clark, Barbara and Richard Dannenberg, Dvora and Alfred Fields, TheFrog Rock Foundation, Marjorie Gilbert, Emily and Eugene Grant, Patricia Jacobs, TheJandon Foundation, Betsy and Donald* Landis, The Honorable Suzi Oppenheimer andMartin J. Oppenheimer, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Jennifer and M. James Sandling,Ann Scheuer, Hannah and Walter Shmerler, Deborah and Alan Simon, Paul TaylorDance Company, Doug Varone '77, Karin and Mitchell Weisburgh, Lucille Werlinich,and Westchester Philharmonic. (*denotes deceased)

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