Jacob’s Pillow Opening Gala to Feature Annie Leibovitz Preview, 6/18

What: Recently honored by President Barack Obama with the National Medal of Arts, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2011 will officially commence with a star-studded Season Opening Gala performance and celebration on June 18. A dance photography exhibit by Annie Leibovitz, created especially for the Pillow, will be on display in an exclusive preview. The evening also features an impressive performance lineup, including dancers of Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève performing Benjamin Millepied's duet Closer; a world premiere by Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch performed by dancers of The School at Jacob's Pillow Ballet Program; dynamic performances by David Neumann, KEIGWIN + COMPANY, and the Mark Morris Dance Group; and a solo performance by acclaimed pianist and composer, Philip Glass. Finally, the fifth annual Jacob's Pillow Dance Award will be presented by Executive and Artistic Director Ella Baff to Crystal Pite, choreographer and Artistic Director of Kidd Pivot Frankfurt RM.

The Gala performance is followed by dinner, a live auction, and dancing. The 2011 Gala Honorary Co-Chairs are Benjamin Millepied, New York City Ballet principal dancer and choreographer of the Oscar-winning film BLACK SWAN, and Mercedes Ellington, veteran Broadway performer and choreographer and granddaughter of jazz legend Duke Ellington. The Gala Co-Chairs are Jacob's Pillow Board Member Hunter K. Runnette, Dr. Mark P. VandenBosch, Dan Schulman, and Jennie Kassanoff.

When: Saturday, June 18 at 6pm

Where: Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Becket, MA

Tickets: Tickets are still available.

Tables of ten (10) are available at several different levels of sponsorship:
Lead Sponsor: $10,000
Major Sponsor: $7,500
Co-Sponsor: $5,500

Associate Sponsor: $3,500

Gala Single Tickets are available at $375, $575, and $775.

For more information on tickets or tables contact Gwen Franklin at 413.243.9919 x126.

The Season Opening Gala is a benefit event; funds raised support the artistic and educational programs of Jacob's Pillow, a not-for-profit organization.

About: Jacob's Pillow Dance, a National Historic Landmark and recipient of a National Medal of Arts, is home to a world-renowned dance Festival, presenting and commissioning works from dance artists and companies from around the world. The School at Jacob's Pillow encompasses a professional training program and the Pillow's extensive Archives chronicle over 79 years of dance as an art form in print, video, and more. The Pillow's year-round Community Programs enrich the lives of participating children and adults. For more information, visit www.jacobspillow.org.