Rick McKay & More Will Take Part in LUIGI Tribute at Symphony Space

On December 28th, Symphony Space will present a very special tribute/benefit to LUIGI (1925-2015), the man who revolutionized jazz dance in America.

Rick McKay writes: "Years ago, when I was practically a kid, studying to move to New York City and break into the biz, I had a dance scholarship in the Luigi technique. And when I came to New York I studied with him. He changed my life, but then again, he seems to have changed everyone's life that was lucky enough to know him.

I am going to show "Never Stop Moving," a short film about Luigi that I made. The new film stars the man himself, Luigi, along with Liza Minnelli, Elliott Gould, Robert Morse, Ben Vereen, Rhett Dennis, Jane Summerhays, Kelly Bishop, Ron Dennis, Estelle Parsons, BarBara Luna and Gretchen Wyler. A much, much shorter version will appear in our new film, "Broadway: BEYOND the Golden Age" that premieres at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, but this will be the premiere public screening of this short film about the man who changed so many lives, not to mention dance in America. With Melba Moore singing, some of the best dancing in New York City, and surprise guests, it will be a historic night.

The evening benefits Luigi's Jazz Centre and provides scholarships for future young people to learn this incredible technique that provides a foundation for a lifetime in the business. He taught Michael Bennett, Twyla Tharp, Susan Stroman, Barbara Streisand (who met Elliott Gould, her future husband in Luigi's class!), Valerie Harper, Tony Roberts, Patrick Adiarte, Ben Vereen, Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) and countless others. It's one of those nights that you don't want to wish you had gone to, but didn't - and like great theatre, it only happens once. December 28th, at 7:30 PM. I'll be there - and I hope you will be, too! For tickets, call: 212-865-5400 - or go to the link below, read a bit about the great Luigi, and then click BUY NOW."

http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/8973/Dance/luigi-a-benefit-tribute-concert