Festival Ballet Providence To Dedicate 2017-18 Season To Former Board President Edward M. Fogarty

Following the death of long-time Trustee, benefactor, former Board President, and current Vice President Edward M. Fogarty, Festival Ballet Providence (FBP) will dedicate its entire 40th Anniversary Season in his memory. Mihailo ³Misha² Djuric, FBP¹s Artistic Director, explains the decision serves to honor Fogarty and his far-reaching contributions to Company and to the artistic community at large. ³Ed was a dear friend to all of us and his passion for dance inspired every member of this organization,² Djuric said, adding, ³we were all shocked and saddened when we heard the news of his death last week.²

Fogarty was a passionate advocate for Festival Ballet Providence, serving for almost 30 years on the Board of Trustees from 1988 until his death on August 31, 2017. He was the governing body¹s Vice President.

Fogarty¹s passion for dance was deeply felt and generously shared. Ed, along with his wife Gail Higgins Fogarty, were active supporters of the Company as it grew and navigated major transitions. Following the death of founder Christine Hennessey in 1997, he served on the leadership search committee that would select Misha Djuric as Artistic Director in 1998.

Fogarty served on the committee that orchestrated FBP¹s relocation to its current East Side facility, which included the purchase and major renovation of the Hope Street building in 2001. The venue continues to serve as a cultural landmark as well as a rehearsal, performance, and educational space for the Company and the FBP School. ³Ed loved everything we presented in the Black Box Theatre,² Djuric said. ³He was front and center at every program, and he was always the first on his feet during the curtain call. His energy was contagious.²

³Ed had a great eye for dance and he related to much of the work that we do here,² Djuric said. ³He would connect with dancers and choreographers and follow their careers and cheer them on as artists. He was truly invested in this art form and our dancers.²

The current season dedicated in Fogarty¹s memory includes a variety of works that range from classical to contemporary. ³I know that Ed was so looking forward to this season and everything we have planned. It¹s going to be bittersweet for the Company to perform knowing Ed would have loved to be there,² Djuric said.

The funeral for Edward M. Fogarty will take place Tuesday September 12, 2017, 10:00am at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 57 Cole Ave., Providence, RI. Visitation will be held Monday September 11, 2017, 4:00pm-8:00pm at Skeffington Funeral Home, 925 Chalkstone Ave., Providence RI.

The Company has established a new works fund in Fogarty¹s name. The fund honors Ed¹s affinity for new artistic creations by supporting programming including the creation of new works of choreography for Festival Ballet Providence.