Jacob's Pillow 'Welcomes The World' To Its 91st Season
Clouds parted and the sun shone down as the dance mecca honored ballerina Misty Copeland.
Charles Rosen and Duke Dang pose with Princess Lockeroo
On Saturday, June 24, an exceptionally rainy day gave way to sunshine just before the more than 550 guests of Jacob’s Pillow annual gala arrived in Becket. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as it allowed old friends and new acquaintances to mingle on the Great Lawn. Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, and a pop-up performance by Princess Lockerooo and The Fabulous Waack Dancers before taking their seats inside the Ted Shawn Theatre.
This year’s Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award was presented to dancer, activist and changemaker Misty Copeland, the first African American woman promoted to the level of principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She was introduced by Jacob’s Pillow Executive and Artistic Director Pamela Tatge, and fellow ABT dancer and friend Calvin Royal III. Guests were also treated to one-night-only performances by dancers from A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham, Dorrance Dance, and the School at Jacob’s Pillow, as well as soloists Bill Irwin and Lil Buck.
This year’s festival, which runs through August 27, will welcome nine companies to the Ted Shawn Theatre and 24 companies to its outdoor Leir Stage, among other events.
Paul and Delight Dodyk pose with Sampantha of The Fabulous Waack Dancers
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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
