Jacob’s Pillow Season Opening Gala Marks Unforgettable Night
650 guests helped kick off Festival 2025 at Jacob’s Pillow, including Senator Elizabeth Warren.
650 guests helped kick off Festival 2025 at Jacob’s Pillow, including Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Anabelle Lopez Ochoa, James Street, Joao Silva, Nigel Campbell, Elaine Wolbrom, and Avan GreenwaltJacob's Pillow's Season Opening Gala 2025. Cherylynn Tsushima
On June 21, nearly 650 guests—the largest crowd in gala history—turned out at Jacob’s Pillow to launch Festival 2025. US Senator Elizabeth Warren presented longtime preservationist Nortan Owen with the prestigious 2025 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award, honoring his 50 years of service to the organization. The evening featured standout performances from New York City Ballet, LA-based BODYTRAFFIC, and more, capped with dinner and dancing in the Ted Shawn Theatre and celebratory moments under the stars. The gala raised vital operating support to sustain Jacob’s Pillow’s role as a global hub for dance.


















Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo