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Charity Spotlight: Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala to Benefit NYC Dance Alliance

Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala

Photos Credit: NYCDAF

On the evening of October 1st, the Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala to benefit New York City Dance Alliance took place at the NYU Skirball Center in downtown Manhattan. The event raises college scholarship funds, and since the foundation’s inception in 2010, over 200 dancers have shared in over $2 million dollars to attend the colleges of their choice.

The annual NYCDAF’s Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala brings together performers, dance educators and patrons to further its mission to broaden and advocate for performing arts awareness and training. The event begins with a red carpet cocktail reception, followed by a truly special gala performance featuring some of the most prominent names on Broadway.

Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala

The event is known as a who’s who of stage, with this year's notable attendees including the evening’s presenters Joel Grey (Cabaret, Chicago, Goodtime Charley), Bebe Neuwirth (Sweet Charity, Chicago), Patricia Birch (Over Here) and the original cast of Fosse.

Ann Reinking was recognized this year, with the 5th Annual NYCDA Foundation Ambassador for the Arts Award presented by Tony Award-winner Chita Rivera. The multi-award-winning American actress, dancer, and choreographer continues to impact, educate and inspire the next generation through her contribution to the entertainment industry over multiple decades. Ann received Tony nominations for Dancin’, Goodtime Charley and Fosse; and Theatre World, Clarence Derwent and Outer Critics Awards for Over Here. Film Credits include All That Jazz, Annie, Micki and Maude, and choreography for ABC’s Bye Bye Birdie. She has also choreographed multiple work for concert dance companies including Martha Graham Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico, Joffrey Ballet Pacific Northwest Ballet, Missouri State Ballet, Spectrum Dance Theatre and Thodos Dancers Chicago. Past recipients have included Roberta Flack, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Catherine Zeta Jones and Debbie Allen.

Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala

All proceeds from Bright Lights Shining Stars will go towards scholarships for secondary and college training as well as continuing NYCDAF’s dance education advocacy efforts.

Kimberly Fisher

Kimberly Fisher is a Freelance Writer and On-Camera Host based in New York City. Kimberly's work has appeared in over 45 publications including Huffington Post, JustLuxe, Luxe Beat Magazine, Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, Ocean View Magazine, Pursuitist, Sherman's Travel, Sunset Magazine, Travels.com, and USAToday. Her travels have taken her to sip champagne cliffside in Portofino, shark feedi...(Read More)

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