Anita Durst News

Anita Durst welcomed Leah Lane to a VIP reception for ChaShaMa's 'Open Studios' weekend.

Chashama, the prominent non-profit supporting emerging artists, has named 20-year-old performer and writer Leah Lane to its Board of Directors -- making her the youngest board member in the organization's history. Leah will be formally introduced at a VIP reception and sneak preview of the Open Studios Weekend on Oct. 12 from 6PM - 8PM.  

It was my honor to join the Chashama Board and host the Chashama Art Party this year. Chashama is known for their outrageous annual gala and art party, and this year was no disappointment. The Gala presented over 150 artists in an immersive labyrinth of installations and performances on June 7th. Highlights included, fire meets art showman, Flambeaux and his gorgeous wax covered troupe, melting and dripping burning candles onto each other and willing patrons, VR masked artists on Toto bidets with keyboards, performers moonlighting as sushi platters, stiletto heeled pole dancers, painters, acrobats, and Harlequin clowns with sparkle and confetti guns. It's a joyous celebration in Times Square; The Chashama Gala and Art Party is like New Year's Eve in June!

The Tank (Meghan Finn and Rosalind Grush, Artistic Directors) will hold their 15th Anniversary Gala today, May 22 at their home, 312 West 36th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues). The event will honor Randi Berry of IndieSpace, an organization that creates 'permanent real estate solutions for the independent theater community'. IndieSpace was instrumental in finding The Tank's new home, and we'll be celebrating The Tank's home, history, and future with this exciting event. Tickets ($75-$1200) may be purchased in advance at www.thetankgala.com. 

The Tank (Meghan Finn and Rosalind Grush, Artistic Directors) will hold their 15th Anniversary Gala on Tuesday, May 22 at their home, 312 West 36th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues). The event will honor Randi Berry of IndieSpace, an organization that creates 'permanent real estate solutions for the independent theater community'. IndieSpace was instrumental in finding The Tank's new home, and we'll be celebrating The Tank's home, history, and future with this exciting event. Tickets ($75-$1200) may be purchased in advance at www.thetankgala.com. 

Amidst Performance Space New York's exhilarating first series of interdisciplinary works under the new leadership of Executive Artistic Director Jenny Schlenzka, the organization's 2018 gala will celebrate game-changing and iconic figures from the arts sector (April 14).

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's (LMCC) annual fundraising gala, The Downtown Dinner, takes place on Thursday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. at Conrad New York.

From April 4 through August 6, 2017, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) presents Judith Leiber: Crafting a New York Story, an exhibition that focuses on the life and craft of America's most enduring and iconic handbag designer, tracking her rise from patternmaker and Holocaust survivor to venerated female entrepreneur.

World renowned actor and director, Austin Pendleton, Drama Desk nominee Anita Durst [The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kent], Orange is The New Black's Karina Ortiz and Julie Atlas Muz whom the N.Y.Times calls "the royalty of burlesque" are featured in Albee Fellow Playwright Pamela Enz's "City Girls and Desperadoes", which opens at The Secret Theatre on January 7th 2016. Emerging actors Connie Castanzo and Peter Collier support this superbly talented cast.

Lynn Mayocole, sculptor and Board President of ATOA and Andy Moerlin, sculptor and half of 'Myth Maker' organized a vibrant panel of working sculptors and arts presenters to discuss how today's art experience is no longer confined to the museum/gallery model. Cities, communities, neighborhoods and private developers have all invited artists into their spaces. These exhibitions include paintings, sculptures, performance art and digital/projection pieces. Scroll down for photos from the panel!

Ballet Hispanico raised more than $1.1 million in support of the company's artistic and educational work in New York City and around the country at their 2015 Gala on Monday, March 30, 2015. During the evening, Ballet Hispanico honored Ballet Hispanico Board President and President and COO of Palladium Equity Partners David Pérez and Milena Alberti-Pérez, SVP and Head of Global Corporate Finance at Penguin Random House, with the Civic Inspiration Award. Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, Chair of Ballet Hispanico's Leadership Council and program director for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, was honored with the Nuestra Inspiración Award. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the creation of new Company works, need-based financial aid and merit scholarships in the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, and community arts education programs.

What do you see when you look at what you watch? With a grant funded by the Brazilian government, award-winning, multimedia Brazilian artist Michel Melamed has created SEEWATCHLOOK, a world premiere public play of short poetic and comic scenes to be held on the corner of Tenth Avenue and 17th Street and viewed (or SEEWATCHLOOKED) from the elevated stands and windows of the High Line's 10th Avenue Square.

With a grant funded by the Brazilian government, award-winning, multimedia Brazilian artist Michel Melamed has created SEEWATCHLOOK, a world premiere public play of short poetic and comic scenes to be held on the corner of Tenth Avenue and 17th Street and viewed (or SEEWATCHLOOKED) from the elevated stands and windows of the High Line's 10th Avenue Square.

What do you see when you look at what you watch? With a grant funded by the Brazilian government, award-winning, multimedia Brazilian artist Michel Melamed has created SEEWATCHLOOK, a world premiere public play of short poetic and comic scenes to be held on the corner of Tenth Avenue and 17th Street and viewed (or SEEWATCHLOOKED) from the elevated stands and windows of the High Line's 10th Avenue Square.

What do you see when you look at what you watch? With a grant funded by the Brazilian government, award-winning, multimedia Brazilian artist Michel Melamed has created SEEWATCHLOOK, a world premiere public play of short poetic and comic scenes to be held on the corner of Tenth Avenue and 17th Street and viewed (or SEEWATCHLOOKED) from the elevated stands and windows of the High Line's 10th Avenue Square.

We are proud to announce the second annual chashama Film Festival. Funded and curated by film director/producer Rick Kariolic, The Festival of the Worlds, explores global expression through film making, while setting the stage for audiences and filmmakers to cultivate the unknown in various cultures.

We are proud to announce the second annual chashama Film Festival. Funded and curated by film director/producer Rick Kariolic, The Festival of the Worlds, explores global expression through film making, while setting the stage for audiences and filmmakers to cultivate the unknown in various cultures.

We are proud to announce the second annual chashama Film Festival. Funded and curated by film director/producer Rick Kariolic, The Festival of the Worlds, explores global expression through film making, while setting the stage for audiences and filmmakers to cultivate the unknown in various cultures.