Amy Krzanik reports from Becket. The spirits of Pillow founder Ted Shawn and dancer Ruth St. Denis seem always to be present at Jacob’s Pillow’s season opening galas, as dancers from all over the world perform for a rapt crowd in the theater named after the festival’s creator. This year, on Saturday, June 20, gala guests were treated to cocktails in the newly renovated Blake's Barn, where a debut photography exhibit was on display. A performance followed, featuring pupils from The School in a world premiere by BalletX founder Matthew Neenan, and performances by New York City Ballet’s Sara Mearns and Russell Janzen, Martha Graham Dance Company and American Ballet Theatre’s Daniil Simkin, as well as the presentation of the 2015 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award to choreographer Liz Gerring. After a meal by The Old Inn on The Green, dancers, board members, Pillow staff and guests “got down" on the dance floor thanks to music by DJ BFG. Pictured above: The Pillow's director of preservation, Norton Owen, who was honored for his 40 years of service to the festival's dance archives, with Michael Flamini.
Choreographer Liz Gerring with her daughter, Nicole Radke, and gala co-chair and Pillow board member, RI's Mark Williams; Amber Ju, Taryn Leavitt, Charles Oliver and Renata Celichowska.
Don Quinn Kelley and Sandra Burton of the Lift Ev'ry Voice Festival, which runs through August 22 and includes events at the Pillow; Mark Haldeman and James Aguiar.
Dr. Roselle Chartock and Dr. Alan Chartock with Murray Ralph; soloist Russell Janzen and principal dancer Sarah Mearns of the New York City Ballet.
Cathy Deely, Amanda Sackey, Tom Patti, who is the creator of each year's beautiful glass-blown Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, and Marilyn Patti.
Dr. Justin Wernick and Pillow board member Nancy Kalodner; Kathleen Chrisman and Laird White.
Adriana Robertson and Susan Bernhardt of Kripalu in Lenox; Norm Appel, Susie Friedman, Naomi Gordon and Roger Gordon.
Kirk Radke, Leslie Nelson and Michael Wainwright.
Cute couple Tricia and Brian Killeen; Ho'o Hee and Manuela Jimenez pose in front of Blake's Barn.
Before the performance, guests were treated to hors d'oeuvres as tasty as they were creative; the purple-hued scene inside the tent where dinner was served.
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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
