Amy Krzanik reports from Becket.The rain finally ceased on Saturday, June 15 and let the sun shine down on the Season Opening Gala at Jacob’s Pillow. Attendees mingled inside and outside Blake’s Barn, wherein hung the new, behind-the-scenes photography exhibit Shooting Stars. After cocktail hour, guests were treated to a preview of this summer’s lineup: dancers from The School at Jacob’s Pillow performed a piece choreographed by Helen Pickett; members of The Dance Theatre of Harlem danced a pas de deux from Swan Lake; Honorary Co-chair and New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Wendy Whelan joined Lloyd Knight of the Martha Graham Dance Company to perform Graham’s Moon; and tap-dancer Michelle Dorrance received the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award and later brought the house down with a high-energy tap performance backed by eight live vocalists. Dinner followed, catered by The Old Inn & Moore, and then dancing (of course!) to The Colbys with Bev Rohlehr, and DJ BFG to end the night. All proceeds, including the night’s silent and live auctions, benefit the non-profit programs of Jacob’s Pillow Dance. (Shown left is the Pillow’s General Manager Connie Chin with First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick and Governor Deval Patrick.)
Licia Conforti and Clark Art's Michael Conforti; Kayon Johns, Sanchia Hazel, Wayne Baker, and Liz Baker.
Jake Meyer, Rosamond Pope Meyer, Albert Pope, and Laura Sinnott; Jacob's Pillow Board Member Dassie Hoffman and Arthur Hoffman, President of The Leir Charitable Foundations.
Gala Committee Member Perri Petricca, Bertrand Garbassi, Jane Larkworthy, Gala Committee Member Michelle Thorpe, Samara Farber, and Laurence Kurzner.
Brian Cruey, the Pillow's Alison Hart, and Matt King; Sandra Burton and Karen Gross.
Daniel Cappello and dancer John Michael Schert; Sponsors Hank and Gerry Alpert with Gala Committee Members Debbi and Charles Adelman.
Liz Richards, John Gay, Bob Kumor, Daniel McNamee, and Misty Fairly enjoy the beautiful setting.
Jacob's Pillow Board Member Sylvia Pope, Bruce Auerbach, and Robin Richman view the art inside Blake's Barn; Christopher Evans, Deb Murnin, and Josh Garner enjoy music and wine in the tent.
Joshua Perles, Peggy Rivers, Van Shields, and Joe Goodwin; Volunteer Costume Coordinator Barbara Barron and husband Donald Barron.
Guests enjoy the lovely weather and beautiful views outside Blake's Barn before the performance.
The Pillow's Anna Rogovoy, with Siobhan Burke and Penny Burke; Kit Gill, Ramona Pansegrau, J.P.'s Director of Finance Dennis Thomas, Director of Education "J.R." Glover, and Ballet Program Director Anna-Marie Holmes.
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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
