Lisa Green reports from Tivoli. Twenty-five years ago, four dance professionals, including American Ballet Theatre stars Martine van Hamel and Kevin McKenzie, established Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli, New York. Their mission was to provide affordable studio space and rehearsal time, and to create an environment for professional dancers and companies to develop and create new works. A quarter of a century later, Kaatsbaan has become the biggest presenter of dance outside of New York City, according to McKenzie, with outstanding facilities at the former Tivoli Farm. On Saturday, Nov. 14, Kaatsbaan celebrated its 25 years with a gala performance featuring stars from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet and The Martha Graham Dance Company. Following the performance, guests moved into the dance studio, which was transformed into a candlelit dining room, with dinner prepared by Murray’s Tivoli. The "honored guest," actor and Tivoli resident Mary Stuart Masterson, related what Kaatsbaan’s dance academy has done for her children and others who attend the school. As many guests headed to the lobby for dessert and a silent auction, others stayed in the studio/dining room to…what else? dance — to Motown tunes with vocals provided by Aurelia Williams. Above, Prudence Garcia-Renart, the program manager, called “the glue of Kaatsbaan" by Kevin McKenzie, standing beside her.
Chris Bailey, Wilhlemina Franfurt, a former ballerina with the New York City Ballet and Bob Whitcomb; poets and performers Patricia Martin and Victoria Sullivan.
Alison Crowther, a former director of Kaatsbaan's board of trustees, founders Kevin McKenzie and Martine van Hamel, and Jefferson Crowther.
Robert Tischler and Sylwia Kochran; dancer Kati Garcia-Renart, director of the Kaatsbaan Academy of Dance and Angela Menendez, a volunteer.
Just a couple of actors from Tivoli: Jeremy Davidson and Mary Stuart Masterson, who produce Storyhorse Documentary Theater.
The dance studio transformed for a gala dinner; signed ballet slippers offered at the silent auction.
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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
