Mercedes Ellington News

There is a New Date for Career Transition For Dancers WINTER HEAT Latin Dance Party to be held on Monday, March 10th, 2014 at the beautiful Edison Ballroom (240 West 47 Street NYC). Sponsored by Rolex Watch USA, the benefit includes cocktails & hors d'oeuvres at 7:00 pm, a three-course sit-down dinner at 8:00pm, an open bar, and dancing to the sounds of Louis Bauzo and the Havana San Juan Orchestra. There will also be a Latin dance lesson and demonstration by Arthur Murray Dance Center Columbus Circle. This annual event is a special Benefit Dinner that supports the multifaceted life span of dancers. Whether performing, creating choreography, starting a business, or leaving the dance world altogether, the goals are to raise funds to ensure positive futures for these talented artists. The dress code is 'Whatever Makes You Dance.' This fun-filled evening of Latin entertainment will capture the glamour of a sophisticated Manhattan supper club with a beautiful dance floor and food and drink to warm up the winter night.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, presents New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013 from tonight, December 11-15, 2013featuring Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by 4th-Year Dancers, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, presents New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013 from December 11-15, 2013featuring Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by 4th-Year Dancers, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division. This year's innovative choreographers are Juilliard alumnus Takehiro Ueyama (1st-Year Dancers); Brian Brooks (2nd-Year Dancers); and Juilliard alumnus Darrell Grand Moultrie (3rd-Year Dancers).

Lifelong performer and Tony Award nominee Maurice Hines (Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies and Eubie!) captivates audiences with stories, songs and smooth choreography for his return to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater with Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies and Grey Gardens), Hines, who started performing at five years old, brings the history of American tap to life and pays tribute to his brother Gregory and the singers who inspired him, from Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne. A co-production with ALLIANCE THEATRE at the Woodruff and Cleveland Play House, Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life runs tonight, November 15-December 29, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Lifelong performer and Tony Award nominee Maurice Hines (Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies and Eubie!) captivates audiences with stories, songs and smooth choreography for his return to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater with Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life. Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies and Grey Gardens), Hines, who started performing at five years old, brings the history of American tap to life and pays tribute to his brother Gregory and the singers who inspired him, from Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne. A co-production with Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff and Cleveland Play House, Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life runs November 15-December 29, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Joseph W. Polisi, President of The Juilliard School, today announced the creation of the Kovner Fellowship Program at Juilliard that will be endowed with a gift of $60 million - the largest single one-time gift to the School - from Bruce and Suzie Kovner, long-time supporters of the School. Providing full tuition, and living expenses, the Fellowships recognize the excellence of Juilliard's classical music students and enhance the School's 100+ year tradition of attracting and developing the most talented musicians in the world.

Joseph W. Polisi, President of The Juilliard School, today announced the creation of the Kovner Fellowship Program at Juilliard that will be endowed with a gift of $60 million - the largest single one-time gift to the School - from Bruce and Suzie Kovner, long-time supporters of the School.

The 2nd Annual Bob Stewart Tuba Competition will be a featured part of the 38th Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington Jazz Festival on Saturday, October 26, 12 - 5 PM.

Rolex presents BROADWAY & BEYOND! Celebrating Theatre & Dance - Career Transition For Dancers' 28th Anniversary Jubilee today, October 8, 2013 at 7pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave) NYC. It will be followed by dinner at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York. Broadway is a truly an American form of entertainment.

Career Transition For Dancers' 28th Anniversary Jubilee BROADWAY & BEYOND! Celebrating Theatre & Dance presented by ROLEX - will take place tonight, October 8th, 2013 at 7pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Ave) NYC. The Rolex Dance Award will be given to Ann-Margret. The super-star is a two time Academy Award Nominee, winner of 5 Golden Globes, Emmy Award winner and a Grammy Nominee.

ROLEX presents BROADWAY & BEYOND! Celebrating Theatre & Dance - Career Transition For Dancers' 28th Anniversary Jubilee on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 7pm at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th & 7th Aves) NYC, followed by dinner at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York.

Broadway is a truly American form of entertainment. BROADWAY & BEYOND! not only brings to life the magic of theatre, but emphasizes the universal scope of dance in pop culture. This one night only entertainment event* will include performances by Kelly Bishop, Lynn Cohen, Dule Hill, Andrea McArdle, Christiane Noll, Rosie O'Donnell, Orfeh, Noah Racey, Randy Skinner, Jimmy Tate and many others.

The York Theatre Company production of the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino, choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel will give its final performance this evening, August 17, 2013 at 8:00pm at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began July 15, 2013. Storyville will have played 8 preview and 27 regular performances.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) production of the New York premiere of Storyville, a New Orleans musical, with book by Ed Bullins, music and lyrics by Mildred Kayden, direction by Bill Castellino,choreography by Mercedes Ellington and music direction by William Foster McDaniel will give its final performance this Saturday evening, August 17, 2013 at 8:00pm at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's where performances began July 15, 2013. Storyville will have played 8 preview and 27 regular performances.

Pete Seeger, a master of vocals, banjo, and guitar and well known for influencing the development of folk music and for his continued commitment to social justice, peace and environmental issues, is the recipient of the first Phoebe Jacobs Award of Distinction which will be presented by Beth Israel Medical Center's Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine at its 8th Annual What A Wonderful World event on Monday, September 23rd.

The York Theatre Company, launches the NEODevelopmental Reading Series with the workshop presentation of the new musical, A Girl Called Vincent, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay, with music written and composed by Carmel Dean, directed by Dick Scanlon and music direction by Charity Wicks. The six-member cast will feature Gerard Canonico, Van Hughes, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Kelvin Moon Loh, Bonnie Milligan and Dani Shay. A single performance is scheduled for today, August 8, 2013 at 3:00pm.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) will host aspecial gala event featuring several numbers from the Richard Rodgers Award-winning new musical in development, Buddy's Tavern, with book by Raymond DeFelitta, lyrics by Alison Louise Hubbard, and music by Kim Oler. The institutional fundraising event is set for TONIGHT, August 5 at the Alexandre Gertsman Contemporary Art Gallery (652 Broadway, 2nd Floor, between Bleecker and Bond Streets). Portion of the proceeds collected by the Gertsman Gallery will be donated to The York Theatre Company.