Joni Berry

Philanthropist Joni Berry passed away Sunday, June 28, 2020 in Los Angeles from complications of COVID-19 at age 89. For 24 years, Joni was Chairman of the Professional Dancers Society (PDS) which is affiliated with The Actors Fund and was a founding member, former President and Board Member of SHARE, Inc. 

4/15/18 ~ HONORING GEORGE CHAKIRIS, BARRIE CHASE & TONI BASIL There's a certain feeling that invades my consciousness when I attend a Dancer's Event... It is a deep, passionate, all-encompassing love amongst it's members. And that is what I was feeling, attending a most prestigious (in my opinion) Event; The Professional Dancer's Society 31st Annual Luncheon & “Gypsy” Award Ceremony, held Yearly in the International Room at the Beverly Hilton.

On April 15,2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, The Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) 31st Gypsy Awards Luncheon honored dancers George Chakiris and Barrie Chase.  The event included choreography Award to Toni Basil.

Academy Award and Golden Globe winning performer George Chakiris and acclaimed dancer, Barrie Chase have been named the honorees for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry.  Emmy and Grammy nominated choreographer/director/singer Toni Basil will receive the organization's Choreographer's Award.  PDS' 31st Anniversary Luncheon will be held on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) in Beverly Hills, CA.

Legendary performer Carol Channing has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry.

Legendary performer Carol Channing has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry.

The Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) Gypsy Awards Luncheon, honoring singer, dancer and choreographer Paula Abdul, legendary entertainer Dick Van Dyke, and famed choreographers Kevin Carlisle and Carl Jablonski, took place on April 24, 2016 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

?Award winning singer/ dancer/choreographer Paula Abdul has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry.  Ms. Abdul will be honored on Sunday, April 24th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) and famed choreographers Carl Jablonski and Kevin Carlisle will receive PDS Choreography Awards, for their extraordinary contribution to dance.  In a special tribute, legendary entertainer Dick Van Dyke will receive The Dance Legacy Award.

Actress/Singer/Dancer Carol Lawrence has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society's (PDS) annual Gypsy Awards Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry. Miss Lawrence will be honored on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) and famed choreographers Alan Johnson, Miriam Nelson and Walter Painter will receive special PDS Choreography Awards, for their extraordinary contribution to dance.

The Louis Armstrong House Museum announces 2014 Louie Award recipients! The Louie Award is the museum's annual award presented in honor of dedicated work to preserve and promote the cultural legacy of Louis Armstrong. This year the Louie Award will be bestowed upon Dick Cavett, legendary talk-show host and author; Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako) Executive Director, Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center in Queens; and Stephen Maitland-Lewis award-winning author and jazz aficionado.

Award winning actress and dancer, Leslie Caron, has been named the honoree for the Professional Dancers Society (PDS) annual Gypsy Award Luncheon, it was announced by PDS President, Mitzi Gaynor and PDS Board Chairman, Joni Berry. Ms. Caron will be honored on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd.) and famed dancers/choreographers Dee Dee Wood and the late Marc Breaux will receive a special PDS Choreography Award, for their extraordinary contribution to dance.

Broadway Icon and nine time TONY Award winner, Tommy Tune, hosted The Actors Fund's 17th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party at the Taglyan Cultural Complex on Sunday, June 9th, 2013. Produced and written by David Rambo and directed by Luke Yankee, the event featured the only approved live TONY Award feed direct from New York to California, allowing guests of the Actors Fund to view the awards before the rest of West Coast viewed the delayed broadcast.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Manila Dances Dirty, Andrew Lloyd Weber follows the Yellow Brick Road and Liza is a Smash!

The Professional Dancers Society (PDS) Gypsy Awards Luncheon honored Ben Vereen and presented a special award to Michael Rooney on March 24, 2013, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Scroll below for photos of the honorees!

Rolex presents 'JUMP FOR JOY! A Dance Variety Spectacular--Career Transition For Dancers' 27th Anniversary Jubilee' tonight, November 5, at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves). Legendary star Angela Lansbury will host. It will be followed by a 'Supper with the Stars' in The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York.

Rolex presents JUMP FOR JOY! A Dance Variety Spectacular - Career Transition For Dancers' 27th Anniversary Jubilee on Monday, November 5, at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves) NYC. Legendary star Angela Lansbury will host. There are now some Gala Patron Orchestra and Grand Tier seats available for sale. These wonderful tickets are available at the box office and on line for the dance event of the new season.

Rolex presents JUMP FOR JOY! A Dance Variety Spectacular - Career Transition For Dancers' 27th Anniversary Jubilee on Monday, November 5, at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves) NYC. Legendary star Angela Lansbury will host. It will be followed by a Supper in The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York. America loves variety, and JUMP FOR JOY! provides a fun-filled evening that weaves together all genres and dance styles in an exciting tapestry of quality entertainment.

Rolex presents 'JUMP FOR JOY! A Dance Variety Spectacular--Career Transition For Dancers' 27th Anniversary Jubilee' on Monday, November 5, at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves). Legendary star Angela Lansbury will host. It will be followed by a 'Supper with the Stars' in The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York.

Rolex presents JUMP FOR JOY! A Dance Variety Spectacular - Career Transition For Dancers' 27th Anniversary Jubilee on Monday, November 5, at 7:00 pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th and 7th Ave) NYC. Legendary star Angela Lansbury will host. It will be followed by a Supper in The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York. America loves variety, and JUMP FOR JOY! provides a fun-filled evening that weaves together all genres and dance styles in an exciting tapestry of quality entertainment. The show is produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo.