Career Transition For Dancers 29th Anniversary Jubilee Honors Angela Lansbury & Southampton's Janice Galli Becker At Sold-Out Gala

ROLEX presented NEW YORK, NEW YORK a helluva town – Career Transition For Dancers’ 29th Anniversary Jubilee on Monday, October 6th, 2014 at New York City Center followed by dinner at The Grand Ballroom at The Hilton New York. Angela Lansbury received the 2014 Rolex Dance Award. James Earl Jones, Ms. Lansbury’s “Driving Miss Daisy” co-star presented her with the award. The 2014 Career Transition For Dancers Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance Awards honorees went to Janice Galli Becker, Fe Saracino Fendi, and Joe Tremaine & Tremaine Dance Conventions & Competitions. The evening raised $1,087,000 for Career Transition For Dancers programs.

From Broadway to the Battery, NEW YORK, NEW YORK a helluva town took the elegantly be-gowned & black-tied crowd on a rockin’ ride through the most inimitable, iconic entertainment capital of the world – a Mecca for arts and culture. The show once again produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo was a 90 minute non-stop, high kickin’, electrifying evening that left the audience breathless.

The brilliant Michael Dameski. (Photo: Annie Watt)

Special guests included Paula Abdul, Chita Rivera, Chuck Scarborough, legendary prima ballerina & CTFD Chairman Emerita Cynthia Gregory with 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; and Tony Waag’s American Tap Dance Foundation. The Rockette Alumnae and Karen Ziemba’s performance of “I Want to Be A Rockette” was just one of the many numbers to draw a standing ovation. Broadway choreographer Alex Sanchez also created a special number with music composed by Steven Jamail, Music Director & Supervisor for Rosie O’Donnell and her Rosie’s Theater Kids. Ballet Hispanico won the prize for the most sensual performance of the night – which they continued at the after party at the Hilton!

Ms. Abdul gave a lovely shout out to her first teacher Honoree Joe Tremaine before introducing her new protégé Michael Dameski. Only 18, Dameski, is one of the most versatile and sought after young performers, who made his musical theatre debut in “Billy Elliot” in Australia; later performing the lead on Broadway and then for the US National Tour. In Australia on “So You Think You Can Dance,” he was the Winner of SYTYCD Australia 2014. He was a recent guest performer on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” US Finale. Dameski brought down the house with his super-charged, sensual and athletic solo.

The 29th Anniversary Chairs were Anka K. Palitz, and Susan & Stewart Wicht. Gala Chairs included Avery & Andrew Barth, Janice & Stuart Becker, Victor Elmaleh, Fe & Alessandro Saracino Fendi, Michele & Lawrence Herbert, John Kimmins, Nancy & Duncan MacMillan, Phillip S. Masters, Michele & Ronald Riggi, Joe Tremaine, and Misty Widelitz. Janice Becker was the Dinner Chair; Ann Van Ness, Auction Chair; and Craig Dix, Journal Chair.

Vice Chairs were Alexander J. Dubé, Mercedes Ellington, Christina Rose, and Irene & Fred Shen. 29th Anniversary Jubilee Sponsors included Dance Magazine and Pointe; Misty Widelitz; Sono Osato & Victor Elmaleh; Joe Tremaine & Tremaine Dance Conventions & Competitions; Janice & Stuart Becker; Fe & Alessandro Saracino Fendi; Condé Nast; Official Wine Sponsor was Gianni Russo.

Chuck Scarborough welcomes Chita Rivera. (Photo: Annie Watt)

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. The Caroline & Theodore Newhouse Center for Dancers is located at 165 West 46 Street, Suite 701 (at Broadway – the Actors’ Equity Building) in New York City.

Career Transition For Dancers is a proud recipient of a 2013 Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre.

To learn more about the organization and interact with the various services it provides online, call 212-764-0172 or visit www.careertransition.org.