Kickoff Cocktail Reception For Upcoming Rolex Presents NEW YORK NEW YORK A Helluva Town: Career Transition For Dancers’ 29th Anniversary Jubilee

Longtime arts patrons Ann and William Van Ness welcomed guests to their art filled townhouse for a very special kickoff cocktail reception for the committees and honorees of the upcoming Rolex presents NEW YORK NEW YORK a helluva town – Career Transition For Dancers’ 29th Anniversary Jubilee which takes place on Monday, October 6, 2014, followed by dinner at The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York.

Jubilee Co-Chairs Anka Palitz and Stewart Wicht, President and CEO of Rolex Watch USA along with Alex Dubé, President of Career Transition For Dancers (CTFD) warmly introduced this year’s recipients of the 2014 Career Transition For Dancers Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance Awards Janice Galli Becker, Fe Saracino Fendi and Joe Tremaine & Tremaine Dance Conventions & Competitions. Chita River will present the awards. Stewart Wicht also noted, “We are honored to present the 2014 Rolex Dance Award to Angela Lansbury, Career Transition For Dancers’ Honorary Chairwoman and legendary star of theatre, film, and television.” James Earl Jones will present the Award to Ms. Lansbury.

At the end of Mr. Wicht’s remarks multi-award winning director, choreographer and performer Tommy Tune waving his ROLEX clad wrist in the air reminded everyone “Don’t forget to wear your ROLEX!”

Bill Van Ness and Stewart Wicht. (Photo: Annie Watt)

Ann Van Ness, Auction Chair once again has outdone herself in gathering extraordinary one-of-a-kind experience for this year’s auction: a week for three couples at Le Charmois, the Van Ness family chateau in the Loire Valley, a walk on role in next year’s 30th Jubilee; a 7 day Mediterranean cruise on a luxury Seabourn yacht; 4 nights on the exclusive private island Kamalame in the Bahamas; tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party and the impossible to get reservations at Rao’s Restaurant.

Ann Marie DeAngelo, producer and director of the high energy, non-stop 90 minute show of the best in the world of dance gave a little hint that this year’s production will travel the length of the city from the 5 Points to Brooklyn to The Bronx – all in dance.

Special guests will also include Chuck Scarborough and Karen Ziemba. There will be electrifying performances by artists from: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; American Ballet Theatre; Arthur Murray Dance Center, Columbus Circle; Ballet Hispanico; Jonah Bokaer; Dance Theatre of Harlem; Industrial Rhythm; Silva Dance Company; Tony Waag’s American Tap Dance Foundation plus a special appearance by the Rockette Alumnae.

Career Transition For Dancers, founded in 1985, enables dancers to define their career possibilities and develop skills necessary to excel in post-performance professions. With of­fices in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and a mobile National Outreach Project, Career Transition For Dancers has provided more than 6,200 dancers with over 61,000 hours — equivalent to approximately $5.2 million—of career counseling and program services, and has awarded millions of dollars in educational scholarships and entrepreneurial grants. The organization has helped thousands of dancers throughout the US take their first steps towards discovering reward­ing post-performance careers. To learn more about the organization and interact with the various services it provides online, please visit www.careertransition.org.

Alex Dube and Anka Palitz. (Photo: Annie Watt)

The 29th Anniversary Chairs are Anka K. Palitz, and Susan & Stewart Wicht. Gala Chairs are Avery & Andrew Barth, Janice & Stuart Becker, Victor Elmaleh, John Kimmins, Nancy & Duncan MacMillan, Phillip S. Masters, Michele & Ronald Riggi, and Misty Widelitz. Janice Becker is the Dinner Chair; Ann Van Ness, Auction Chair and Craig Dix, Journal Chair. Vice Chairs are Alexander J. Dubé, Mercedes Ellington and Christina Rose. 29th Anniversary Jubilee Sponsors: Dance Magazine and Pointe, Misty Widelitz, Janice & Stuart Becker, Fe & Alessandro Saracino Fendi and Joe Tremaine.

Patron tickets are $600, $750 and $1,200 each. Tables for 10 are $7,500, $12,000 & $15,000. They include premium performance seating, post-performance ‘Supper with the Stars,’ dancing and a live auction. Sponsorships and Journal ads are also available.

For gala information and tickets please call Marjorie Horne, McEvoy & Associates at 212-228-7446 x33. For group sales call Susan Levy at 718-499-9691 or email [email protected]. Performance-only tickets are also now available at $45, $60, $90 and $140. They can be bought at the City Center Box Office, or by contacting CITYTIX at 212-581-1212 or at www.nycitycenter.org.