SHARE, INC. to Host 64th Annual Boomtown Gala, LET'S DANCE

SHARE, INC., the 64 year-old philanthropic organization dedicated to raising funds for developmentally disabled, abused and neglected children as well as medical research, hosts its annual Boomtown gala, "Let's Dance," Saturday, May 20, 2017 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills. The evening honors inspirational dance philanthropist and founder of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, Glorya Kaufman.

Legendary recording artists, The 5th Dimension, featuring original member and lead vocalist, Florence LaRue, will headline the always star-filled evening of entertainment. Actor/ventriloquist Jay Johnson, MC's. Vocalist Lorena Peril will perform. Sporting guests in "dressy Western attire," the event also features dinner and both a silent and live auction, incorporating unique trips and one-of-a-kind collectables. A highlight each year is a series of lavish dance numbers featuring the ladies of SHARE and choreographed by the award-winning Anita Mann. Gary Smith is Executive Producer.

"We could not think of a more perfect individual to honor at this year's 'Let's Dance' celebration than the incomparable Glorya Kaufman," said Ellen Feder, SHARE President. "Not only is Glorya a lover of all things dance, but her passion for and commitment and generosity to the arts have afforded countless young people and audiences of all ages the opportunity to explore the transformational experience of music and dance."

Honoree, philanthropist Glorya Kaufman's passion for the arts, especially dance, have led to the generous support of a variety of institutions including UCLA which dedicated the Glorya Kaufman Hall in her honor. As a founding member and major contributor to the Los Angeles Music Center, the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance Series was established. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the Julliard School in New York City have also benefited from Kaufman's generosity as have Fordham University and The Geffen Playhouse. Locally, Kaufman's foundation provides dance classes to underprivileged children throughout Los Angeles, with the goal of transforming the city's dance landscape. In 2011, her donation to USC established the Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center. All of the choreographers responsible for programming at The Music Center teach master classes at the USC Dance Center. She has also made a difference in the lives of children with vision issues, establishing an eye clinic at LA Children's Hospital, enabling children to receive free eyeglasses and further treatment. Kaufman recently donated her Paris apartment to USC with the specific purpose of housing children from infancy to age 18 having surgery at the Eye Clinic for Strabismus. She previously collaborated with Dr. Leonard Apt in creating a mobile eye cinic at Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. Additionally, she generously contributed to the construction of the Donald Bruce Kaufman branch of the Los Angeles Public Library in Brentwood, named in honor of her late husband. Currently, Kaufman is working with Vista Del Mar in Los Angeles to convert a 1920's building into a 300 seat theater. The Gloryous Dance Affair, which she wrote and chronicles her memoirs, was published in October, 2016.

An astounding roster of entertainers have participated in SHARE's "must-see" BOOMTOWN gala over the years and include: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., John Wayne, Bob Hope and Judy Garland with Johnny Carson hosting for ten years. Recent headliners include: Sharon Stone, Jennifer Holliday, k.d. lang, Jamie Lee Curtis and Bruce Willis.

Founded 64 years ago by seven women friends, today SHARE (Share Happily and Reap Endlessly) boasts 80 active members and is recognized as one of the most successful children's charitable organizations in Los Angeles, having raised more than $74 million since its inception. Among the groups they regularly support are: Exceptional Children's Foundation, CASA of Los Angeles, Center for the Partially Sighted, Stuart House, Team Prime Time, Inc. and a host of others. Members pride themselves on tackling all the work of the organization themselves without any staff support.

Sponsorship packages begin at $2000; individual tickets, $500. For further information, call (310) 274-5361 or visit www.share4children.org.

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