National YoungArts Foundation to Honor Andrew Rannells, Rita Moreno & Zaha Hadid at Performance & Gala

On Saturday, January 11, 2014 the National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) will host the organization's first Backyard Ball Performance and Gala to be held at the YoungArts Campus (2100 Biscayne Boulevard). The 2014 Arison Award Honorees are Pritzker Award Winning architect Zaha Hadid and Academy Award Winning singer, dancer, and actress, Rita Moreno. This year's Alumni Honoree is actor, singer and 1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater, Andrew Rannells. The celebratory evening of artistic immersion will bring together prominent artists, community leaders, philanthropists and celebrities to recognize the 2014 YoungArts Winners. The gala is YoungArts' largest annual fundraiser and the culmination of YoungArts' signature program YoungArts Week which provides 171 of the nation's most outstanding young artists in the literary, performing, visual and design arts with life-changing experiences, including master classes, workshops, inter-disciplinary activities, performances and exhibitions.

The evening will include a post-dinner performance by YoungArts alumni from around the nation, directed by renowned Tony Award-winner, dancer, choreographer and YoungArts Artistic Advisor, Bill T. Jones. YoungArts alumni performers will include pop-singer Judith Hill, jazz musician AaRon Casey, tap dancer Demi Remick, actor Colby Minifie, Cirque du Soleil performer Sandy Karen, and cellist Peter Eom, among others. Tony Award-winning actor and singer Brian Stokes Mitchell will serve as host and emcee. The magical evening will conclude on the YoungArts Plaza with dancing, dessert, and pop-up performances.

"This event celebrates the accomplishments of our amazing YoungArts Winners and alumni, and honors Zaha Hadid, Rita Moreno and Andrew Rannells-three remarkable individuals who serve as inspiration for emerging artists," stated Paul T. Lehr, National YoungArts Foundation President & CEO. "As YoungArts continues to grow and expand our programs to serve more Winners than ever, we look forward to welcoming guests at our home on the YoungArts Campus and to acknowledging the hard work and dedication of young artists across the country."

The 2014 Honorary Gala Chairs are Elizabeth and Facundo Bacardi. The Backyard Ball Performance and Gala is supported by Bacardi Limited, Braman Motors, EventStar, The James Royal Palm Hotel, Miami Arts and Entertainment Council (MAEC), The Miami Herald, MIAMIMagazine, and Seabourn.

New this year, YoungArts will host YoungArts AfterHours on the plaza beginning at 9:00pm. Cocktails courtesy of Bacardi will be served as guests enjoy light bites and a live stream wallcast of the gala performance. Following the show, gala guests and YoungArts Winners will join the event for dessert and dancing into the night. Tickets are available for $125 exclusively through giltcity.com/Miami beginning on December 26 at 10:00am. For additional details please contact (305) 377-1140, extension 1803.

Previous gala honorees have included Debbie Allen, Robert L. Lynch, Michael M. Kaiser, Bill T. Jones, Robert Redford, Joshua Bell, Doug Aitken, Kerry Washington and Adrian Grenier.

Photo by Jennifer Broski