Jacob's Pillow Season Opens with Annie Leibovitz Exhibit, 6/18

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 a distinguished artist.

The Gala performance is followed by dinner, a live auction, and dancing. The 2011 Gala Co-Chairs are Jacob's Pillow Board Member Hunter K. Runnette, Dr. Mark P. VandenBosch, Dan Schulman, and Jennie Kassanoff. Benjamin Millepied, New York City Ballet principal dancer andchoreographer of the Oscar-winning film BLACK SWAN, will serve as Honorary Co-Chair.

When: Saturday, June 18 at 6pm

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

Tickets: Gala Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals and businesses.

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

Photo: KEIGWIN + COMPANY; photos by Matthew Murphy and Christopher Duggan