Desmond Richardson News

One of America's leading contemporary ballet companies and a Jacob's Pillow audience favorite, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) returns to perform a sophisticated program with live music August 17-21.

One of America's leading contemporary ballet companies and a Jacob's Pillow audience favorite, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) returns to perform a sophisticated program with live music August 17-21.

The NYC Dance Alliance Foundation held its 1st Annual Bright Lights, Shining Stars Gala at the Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU and clearly delivered on its promise of a star studded evening of music & dance with one show-stopping number after another. Following cocktails hosted by Honorary Co-Chairs Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster and Robin Cofer, eager guests flooded into the elegant theater for an evening of unforgettable moments.

The NYC Dance Alliance, in an effort to make its Bright Stars! Shining Lights! Gala on August 1 at the Skirball Center at NYU affordable to a broad audience including performing artists, students and young professionals and to continue its mission of empowering young dancers is offering $25 Balcony Seats for their Gala with CODE: DANCER through the Skirball Box office ( 212-352-3101 ) or through The Skirball website:

Bright Lights! Shining Stars!, a gala event to benefit the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation, will honor the legendary Roberta Flack with the NYCDAF's First Ambassador for the Arts Award on August 1, 2011 at the Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU. 566 LaGuardia Place, New York. The star studded evening of song and dance directed by renowned choreographer, dancer and instructor Joe Lanteri will also feature the awarding of $50,000+ in college scholarships to promising young dancers.

NYCDAF Executive Director Joe Lanteri director of Bright Lights! Shining Stars!, a gala event to benefit the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation has announced that 'Smokey Joe's Café' stars Brenda Braxton, Felicia Finley, Ramona Keller & Deb Lyons will reunite to perform one of the great Leiber & Stoller hits from the smash musical at the star studded gala.

Bright Lights! Shining Stars!, a gala event to benefit the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation, will honor the legendary Roberta Flack with the NYCDAF's First Ambassador for the Arts Award on August 1, 2011 at the Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU. 566 LaGuardia Place, New York. The star studded evening of song and dance directed by renowned choreographer, dancer and instructor Joe Lanteri will also feature the awarding of $50,000+ in college scholarships to promising young dancers.

The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) launches its 2011-2012 season of dance with six exhilarating companies featuring some of the most significant and distinctive choreography today, including three New Orleans debuts and a world premiere.

Billy Elliot the Musical begins performances on June 27 at the Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market Street at 8th).

An alum of Encores! and the 'Chorus Line' and 'Color Purple' tours, Anthony makes his B'way debut in the hit revival.

El bailarín y coreógrafo Luis Salgado, que ha estado en Madrid para impartir unas Master Class sobre Teatro Musical y Latin Fusion y formó parte de la compañía de In The Heights en Broadway, nos habla sobre sus comienzos, R.Evolución Latina y sus futuros proyectos.

The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, hosted by Bebe Neuwirth and Lee Roy Reams at the magnificent Skirball Center for The Performing Arts at NYU once again honored excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. Susan Stroman took top honors for Best Choreographer on Broadway in a field of nine nominees for her stunning work in 'The Scottsboro Boys'. It was a record breaking 5th Astaire Award for the 5 time Tony Award and 5 time Drama Desk winner. Two time Tony Award Winner Bebe Neuwirth presented the award to Ms. Stroman. Sutton Foster star of 'Anything Goes' took home her second Astaire for Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her rousing performance as 'Reno Sweeney'. Her first Astaire was for 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'. Desmond Richardson, Tony nominee for 'Fosse' and co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet presented the award to Ms. Sutton. First timer Norbert Leo Butz star of 'Catch Me if You Can' took the prize for Best Male Dancer on Broadway presented by Tony and Drama Desk winner Karen Ziemba . Australia's Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon won the Astaire for Excellence in Choreography in Film for their breathtaking dances in 'Mao's Last Dancer' presented by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin. Legendary dancer, choreographer, teacher and founder of the National Dance Institute Jacques d'Amboise received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late drama critic and co-founder of the Award with Fred Astaire. Following a major tribute in dance including a brilliant performance by NYCB's Russell Janzen of a piece from the ballet 'Who Cares' created by George Balanchine and first danced by d'Amboise; an exuberant performance of 'Shall We Dance' by d'Amboise's students at the National Dance Institute and praiseful introductions by Len Cariou, Charlotte & Christopher d'Amboise, Brian Stokes Mitchell presented the award to Mr. d'Amboise.

Yesterday, May 15, the 2011 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards were held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU. The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards afe the only awards to recognize excellence in dance & choreography on Broadway and in film. On hand to celebrate were some of Broadway and film's greatest talents including Daniel Radcliffe, Benjamin Millepied, Sutton Foster, Christie Brinkley, Bebe Neuwirth, Lee Roy Reams, Ava Astaire, Norbert Leo Butz, Aaron Tveit, Len Cariou, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bill Irwin, Maurice Hines, Christine Andreas, Karen Ziemba, Nick Adams, Kathleen Marshall, Desmond Richardson, Young Dancers from the National Dance Institute, Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jacques d'Amboise and more.

The Joyce Theater today announced the programming for its 2011?2012 Fall/Winter Season that includes an eclectic mix of international companies and encompasses a range of dance artists and styles.

Overflowing with power and speed, Complexions Contemporary Ballet embraces diversity with 14 dancers of different ethnic and dance backgrounds, as well as a range of dazzling work encompassing everything from big, dynamic ensembles to poignant duets and solos. The Columbus debut of this unique dance company will offer a spellbinding program that merges ballet, contemporary dance, jazz, and hip-hop into one thrilling experience.

Overflowing with power and speed, Complexions Contemporary Ballet embraces diversity with 14 dancers of different ethnic and dance backgrounds, as well as a range of dazzling work encompassing everything from big, dynamic ensembles to poignant duets and solos. The Columbus debut of this unique dance company will offer a spellbinding program that merges ballet, contemporary dance, jazz, and hip-hop into one thrilling experience.

Something tells me Nashville Ballet's Chris Stuart is having a particularly good Tuesday. After a dark and stormy Monday in Music City, the sun is brightly shining, his team claimed the NCAA championship last night and, well, today (Tuesday, April 5) is his birthday. So if you should run into the talented dancer and choreographer, you might wish him many happy returns of the day and offer up some congratulations.