Nile Rodgers Serving As Honorary Chair Of ARTworks 2016 Spring Gala

On Saturday, May 7th, East End Arts is hosting its ARTworks 2016 Spring Gala at East Wind (5720 Route 25A, Wading River). From 6 to 11 p.m., guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, live and silent auctions with Nicholas Dawes, VP of Special Collections at Heritage Auctions and frequent appraiser on Antiques Roadshow, featuring local artists’ works and exclusive East End and New York City experiences, music from One Love, and a keynote address by Honorary Chair Nile Rodgers.

The evening will pay tribute to Bank of America for its continued support of the not-for-profit arts organization. “Providing arts access is key to building a thriving local community,” explained Bob Isaksen, Long Island president, Bank of America. “East End Arts lifts and educates the community through the arts, and Bank of America is proud to be a supporter.” In 2011 Bank of America named East End Arts a Neighborhood Builder, a prestigious national honor that is presented to only 90 nonprofit organizations per year. Recipients are typically focused on local neighborhood priorities and honorees receive a two-year grant, as well as executive leadership training.

Earlier this year, East End Arts announced that it had teamed up with Nile Rodgers, multiple Grammy-winning composer, producer, guitarist, co-founding member of the band Chic, and co-founder/chairman of the We Are Family Foundation, for a series of projects. He will serve as honorary chair of the event and will give a keynote address. “Join me in supporting this wonderful organization and together, through the arts, we can make our world a better place,” said Rodgers.

Prior to the Gala, East End Arts is presenting Nile Rodgers Master Class, a Special Talk with Grammy-winning Music Legend and Hitmaker. Taking place on Saturday, May 7th, at the Suffolk Theater (118 East Main Street, Riverhead), Rodgers, who has worked with Madonna, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Sam Smith, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, Avicii, Disclosure, Eric Clapton, and so many more, will speak about songwriting, guitar playing and the music industry. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session. The discussion begins at 3 p.m. and admission ranges from $25 to $50.

The lineup for this year’s FOLD “Freak Out Let’s Dance” Festival 2016 will also be announced on Saturday, May 7th. Headliners in 2015 included Keith Urban, Pharrell Williams, and Beck.

Tickets to the ARTworks 2016 Spring Gala begin at $200. Proceeds from the soiree will support East End Arts’ mission to build and enrich the community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.

For more information, visit eastendarts.org.