Wingspan Arts' 10th Anniversary Celebration Set for Tonight, 6/11

Wingspan Arts announced its 10th Anniversary Benefit. This year's milestone event will be an exciting celebration of the arts education and enrichment programs Wingspan has provided to students and communities over the past decade. This year's honorees include Wingspan Arts founder Gary Bernstein, and New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer, who has championed the work of Wingspan Arts since its founding in 2001. Also, a Proclamation From the Mayor's Office of New York City will be issued as a tribute to Wingspan's commitment and contributions to the city.

This year's benefit will include cocktails, dinner and a wonderful show. Hosting the show will be MAC, Bistro and Nightlife Award-winner Lennie Watts. The evening will feature performances by Wingspan Arts' students and teaching artists, Broadway chatterbox Seth Rudetsky, Gavin Lodge (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Alena Watters (Sister Act), cabaret performer Kim Grogg (One Hit Wonder Woman) and other friends from the New York City entertainment community. In addition to live performances, supporters and alumni of Wingspan and its programs will speak by video and share stories of how the arts have impacted their lives.

The nonprofit Wingspan Arts, founded ten years ago in New York City, offers customized In-school, Afterschool, Conservatory and Partnership arts programs for children in grades K-12. Monies raised at this year's benefit will allow Wingspan to continue to offer, free-of-charge to middle and high school students, its highly acclaimed Summer Theatre Conservatory program and help expand and create new programs, sustain scholarships and increase tuition assistance. For 10 years, Wingspan's programs and teaching artists have made a difference in kids' lives everyday and event proceeds will sustain the Wingspan tradition of ensuring that no child or school will be turned away from access to its arts programs due to the inability to pay.

Wingspan Arts currently offers programs in over 25 schools in New York City, Westchester, New Jersey and Connecticut, operates a year-round theatre conservatory program, sponsors an annual family arts festival, partners with over 180 teaching artists and serves thousands of children every year.

"As Wingspan marks its tenth anniversary as a significant provider of arts programming, I applaud our staff, Board, school leaders and countless supporters for believing in our mission," says founder Gary Bernstein, "and honor the talented artists who share their passion for the arts with others and have helped make a difference by connecting the arts to life for students and communities throughout the New York Region."

Wingspan Arts 10th Anniversary Celebration is set for tonight, June 11 from 6:30-9:30PM at the B.B. Kings Blues Club and Grill (237 West 42nd St). Prices range from $200 (Guest level - 1 ticket) to $10,000 (Underwriter level – 10 tickets). Preferred seating given to $1,500 ticket holders and above. Please note: $105 of each ticket is not tax deductible.

For reservations call Jessica Bashline (212) 586-2330 or email info@wingspanarts.org. For more info, visit www.wingspanarts.org.