Chita Rivera Honored at 'One World' Dance Gala, Oct. 23

Rolex will present "One World: A Spectacular Global Celebration," Career Transition For Dancers' 21st Anniversary Jubilee, on Monday, October 23, 2006 at 7:00 pm at New York City Center (131 West 55 Street, between 7th and 6th Avenues. The event will be followed by an Anniversary Supper with the Stars at Hilton New York's Grand Ballroom.

This year, the Rolex Dance Award will be presented to Chita Rivera, who is one of the theatre's most acclaimed performers. She has won two Tony Awards (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink) and received six additional Tony nominations. Her many Broaday credits include West Side Story, Bye Bye, Birdie, Chicago and most recently, the retrospective The Dancer's Life.

The honorary chairs are Cynthia Gregory, Donna McKechnie, Jane Powell & Ann Reinking. The 21st Anniversary Chairs are Patricia J. Kennedy and Anka K. Palitz. Gala Chairs are Denise L. Cobb and Yolanda Santos Garza. Vice Chairs are Helene Alexopoulos, Mercedes Ellington, Victoria Herbert, and Laura Zeckendorf. Artistic Chair is Ann Marie DeAngelo. The Dinner Chair is Janice Becker; Auction Chair is Ann Van Ness; West Coast Chair is Roberta Silbert Greene and Journal Chair is David Goldring.

"The Gala will showcase the bringing together of diverse cultures through the universal art form of dance. Colored with a variety of ethnic dance as well as ballet and modern, 'One World' celebrates our sameness and reflects the rich cultural fabric of New York City for the entertainment-dance event of the year," state press notes.

The annual event is a benefit for Career Transition For Dancers. With offices in New York City and Los Angeles, CTFD has helped over 3,200 professional dancers identify their unique talents in preparation for establishing new careers when dance is no longer an option. Since its founding in 1985, the organization has provided more than 3,000 dancers in 47 states with approximately 37,000 hours – equivalent to $3.9 million - career counseling & program services - at no cost - and has awarded over $2.2 million in scholarships for education and entrepreneurial grants.

CTFD also provides dancers with specialized services that include transition seminars and workshops; peer support groups; resource centers; a toll-free national hotline; a website; and the new National Networking Directory. The Caroline and Theodore Newhouse Center for Dancers is located in expanded offices at 165 West 46th Street Suite 701 (at Broadway – the Actors' Equity Building) NYC 10036. CTFD's phone number is (212) 764-0172 and the fax is (212) 764-0343. In Los Angeles: 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 902; LA, 90036-3600 please call (323) 549-6660.

Gala tickets are $600 & $1,000 each, which include the performance and a post-performance 'Anniversary Waltz Supper with the Stars,' auction and dancing at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York. Sponsorships and tables are also available as well as Journal ads. For gala tickets, please call Marjorie Horne, McEvoy & Assocs. at (212) 228-7446 x33 and for Group Sales please call (718) 499-9691. The phone number for CTFD is (212) 764-0172. Show only tickets will be available soon at the Box Office and by calling CityTix (212) 581-1212 / www.nycitycenter.org. Visit www.careertransition.org for more information on Career Transition for Dancers.