Velocity Hosts Made in Seattle Fundraiser Today

Velocity announces Made in Seattle, the conmpany's signature fundraiser of the year. Party with purpose with guests of honor Mark Haim and The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, performances by Shelby Earl, Amy O'Neal, Ezra Dickinson, Cherdonna Shinatra, Kate Wallich and Matt Drews - and an open bar with craft cocktails by Eater Seattle's Bartender of the Year Adam Fortuna. Funds raised infuse Velocity's pivotal programs - crucial for Seattle dance artists to train, create, present and develop their careers; and to build a city where dance is a vital part of the cultural landscape.

It's no secret that dancers struggle to build sustainable careers. Velocity serves thousands of artists, ages 14 - 84, from those new to dance, to established professionals. And Velocity is uniquely there throughout all the ups and downs of artists' creative careers. In 2013, Velocity provided $197,815 in direct and in-kind support to artists, presented more than 150 original works by leading regional talent and inter/national innovators, and fostered excellent training with daily classes in a diverse range of movement styles - 365 days a year. To ensure Velocity's programs are accessible to all, last year Velocity awarded 46 need-based scholarships.

This year's theme, Made in Seattle, is also the namesake of Velocity's new dance development program, dedicated to growing the Northwest's creative community by commissioning, producing and presenting evening-length dance works by some of the most talented and experimental artists from our region. Launched in 2012, Made in Seattle has produced the world premieres of AmyO/tinyrage The Most Innovative... (2012), DanielleAgami/Ate9 (2012), Ezra Dickinson's Mother for you I made this (2013), and Kate Walich + The YC with Andrew Bartee's Super Eagle (2014). And what's more Seattle than Sub Pop? The night ends with a DJ'd Dance Party with Bruce Pavitt, the co-founder of Sub Pop who signed Nirvana. Charles Peterson, the celebrated photographic chronicler of grunge, will also be in attendance.

Mark Haim is a celebrated choreographer, teacher and dancer born in New York City and trained at Julliard. Mark has been artistic director of Mark Haim & Dancers and the Companhia de Danca de Lisboa. He has been commissioned by Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet Frankfurt, the Jose Limon Dance Company, and the Joffrey II Dancers. He is on the faculty of the American Dance Festival and is a Velocity Teaching Artist. Mark presented his work at the 15th Artdanthé festival (Paris) in January 2013.

"I have proudly served on the board of Velocity for more than a decade," Haim said. "When I decided to take a leap into the unknown from a secure teaching position at the University of Washington, Velocity was there to help me through my transition by offering me the opportunity to teach dance classes to the Seattle community, as well as making me Velocity's Artist in Residence in 2009. Velocity is integral to my creative life in Seattle, and a crucial creative home for so many Seattle artists, students and lovers of dance."

Velocity highlights the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation as its inaugural Civic Honoree. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation's support of Velocity during its emergency capital campaign made the difference between Velocity potentially having to close, and the vibrant, thriving organization we are today. Velocity also celebrate Paul G. Allen as a model philanthropist. There are very few individuals who foster the arts in Seattle in such creative, community-focused, consistent, transformative ways.

VIP Reception begins at 5:30 with a live acoustic set by Shelby Earl, cocktails with Adam Fortuna, and a meet and greet with celebrated Made in Seattle Artists. Doors open at 6:30 for exciting performances by Made in Seattle Artists and the dance party begins at 9:00. For more information, visit velocitydancecenter.org or call 206.325.8773.