Fini Int'l Dance Announces Festival Gala, 8/31 at Ailey's

Fini International Dance Festival's GALA PERFORMANCE, August 31 at Ailey Citigroup Theater with appearances by companies from Italy and the U.S. and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Terese Capucilli

Thursday August 31st at 8 PM
Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55 Street (9th Avenue & 55th Street)
Tickets: $30
Reservations: www.eventbrite.com

Dancer/producer Antonio Fini announces the closing event of his International Dance Festival - a Gala Performance, Thursday August 31st at 8 PM at the newly reopened Ailey Citigroup Theatre. The evening features performances by guest dance companies from Rome and Bologna, appearing with U.S.-based companies with an "Italian connection," as well as awards to artists from Italy or of Italian descent. Milan's glamorous Tabata Caldirini, a popular dancer/TV hostess, will return to host the evening.

Awards:

Terese Capucilli, acclaimed former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company and artistic director laureate of the Company, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award;

Marie Lorene Fichaux, formerly with the Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company, London's Royal Ballet, the Boston Ballet, and more, will receive the Extraordinary Dancer Award;

Dancers Alessio Crognale and Antonio Cangiano, both natives of Italy, will be awarded the Rising Stars Award.

Performers will include:
Marie Lorene Fichaux and Cristian l. Koenig in a duet from Nacho Duato's "Sin Palabras"

Antonio Cangiano and Alessio Crognale in Michael Mao's "Weaving"

Antonio Fini in the solo "The Prophet," winner of the Stefano Valentini Award

Members of the Rome International Dance Academy JH Dance Company from Bologna

Antonella Perazzo's Movin Beat Company from Rome Staten Island Ballet
Michael mao Dance Fini Dance New York .

Awardees will join past honorees: Luigi, Alessandra Ferri, Edward Villella, Elena Albano, Petra Conti of the Boston Ballet, Lorenzo Pagano of the Martha Graham Dance Company, and Jacqulyn Buglisi.

Fini Dance is sponsored by the Italian Cultural Institute, NYC.