Phioto Flash: Jerry Mitchell Helms 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards

Patricia Watt, Andrew Wargo, Wendy Federman, Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Bruce Michael, Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster, Sara Johnson, Jamie Watkins and Bronwen Carson co-hosted a Kickoff Reception for the committee & supporters of the 29th Fred & Adele Astaire Awards at the Gramercy Park home of Clare Aich on November 15. The reception served to introduce a special guest of honor, Tony and Drama Desk Award winning director & choreographer Jerry Mitchell who will direct this year's Awards.

Mitchell, a multi talented choreographer, director and performer, won both the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his brilliant work as director of the revival of the smash Broadway musical, "La Cage Aux Folles". His choreographic and directorial skills have won him numerous award nominations for his work on such blockbuster hits as "Legally Blonde". "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", "Never Gonna Dance", "Hairspray", "The Full Monty and "The Rocky Horror Show".

The Awards Show is presented by Ava Astaire in tribute to her father and aunt and Patricia Watt in tribute to her father Douglas Watt, who was the renowned drama, dance and music critic and a founder of the awards in 1982 under the auspices of Mr. Astaire (Adele Astaire passed away in 1981). Choreographer Bronwen Carson is co-producer. Carolyn Kendall Buchter and Bruce Michael will co-chair the Awards Gala.

Throughout the evening in Ms, Aich's historic home which was once a foundry, there were a number of dazzling musical performances: Arturo Martinez & Thomas Chess played classical guitar, 19 year old Jazz pianist Dylan Meek tore up the keyboards with some great riffs; Lee Roy Reams on piano accompanied the always brilliant Anna Bergman in, most appropriately "I Could Have Danced All Night"; Kristofer Ambrose and band mate William Joseph Steferrson rocked the room with some Richie Havens like vibes and pianists Andrew Wargo and Christopher Arnold took turns playing tunes from the Great American Songbook. In between sets, guests nibbled on healthy treats from Steve Siegelwaks' Green Earth Natural Foods Café in Riverhead. Kudos go to Andrew Wargo the mastermind of this delightful salon like evening.

Co-producer Bronwen Carson announced that once again the awards gala will benefit the Dance & Movement Therapy Program at P723X School in Morris Heights. She also introduced Coryn Nadeau a licensed, board certified Creative Arts therapist hired as the program's dance therapist who spoke movingly about the transformational ability of dance with children, helping them develop body awareness, social skills and good health.

The 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards honoring the best in dance and choreography on stage and in film will be held Monday May 23rd in The Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Studios on West 34th Street.

Bronwen Carson & Coryn Madeau

Dylan Meek

Bruce Michael, Patricia Watt, Jerry Mitchell, Anna Bergman, Lee Roy Reams

Patricia Watt & Jerry Mitchell