Harlem Arts Festival gala raises over $18,000
Friday, May 25, 2012
By DEMETRIA IRWIN - Special to the AmNews
Wine and laughter flowed easily at the Harlem Arts Festival gala fundraising event on May 16 at the legendary Alhambra Ballroom. Harlem Arts Festival Executive Director Neal Ludevig reminded attendees that all proceeds from the event would go directly to artists; the gala raked in over $18,000.
Polite waitstaff kept food and spirits on hand as guests participated in a silent auction of work from a number of artists and chatted at white-clothed tables adorned with elegant flower arrangements.
A diverse group of artists provided the evening’s entertainment. Saxophonist Ben Barson, a recent Harlem resident by way of New Jersey and one of the artists selected for the upcoming Harlem Arts Festival, said he felt honored to be a part of Harlem.
“I’ve only been here two years, but I feel blessed to be a part of this community. It’s an honor to be here,” he said, as he launched into two of his original pieces.
The gala’s guests, who paid between $50 to $150 for tickets, were also treated to the vocal stylings of Queen Esther, with Dan Rosengard on piano, and Briana Thomas, with Conun Pappas Jr. on piano, as well as an extra-special dance performance by eight children who are part of the Ballroom Basix program.
The Harlem-based nonprofit is a non-competitive dance program that teaches children ballroom and Latin dancing skills. Its founder, Sidney Grant, said, “We teach more than just dance; we teach manners and etiquette. We connect the community and the work.”
The inaugural Harlem Arts Festival is scheduled to take place in the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater at Marcus Garvey Park June 29-30. Out of a pool of 75 applicants, 35 artists have been selected to be part of the festival.
“There’s a very rich, creative legacy here in Harlem, but there is also a lot of talent here right now,” said J.J. El-Far, Harlem Arts Festival’s creative director. “We wanted to create a festival that celebrates all of the arts. Our artists have a diverse array of talents and they all have roots or connections here.”
For more information, visit www.harlemartsfestival.com.
Read the article at the Amsterdam News
Wine and laughter flowed easily at the Harlem Arts Festival gala fundraising event on May 16 at the legendary Alhambra Ballroom. Harlem Arts Festival Executive Director Neal Ludevig reminded attendees that all proceeds from the event would go directly to artists; the gala raked in over $18,000.
Polite waitstaff kept food and spirits on hand as guests participated in a silent auction of work from a number of artists and chatted at white-clothed tables adorned with elegant flower arrangements.
A diverse group of artists provided the evening’s entertainment. Saxophonist Ben Barson, a recent Harlem resident by way of New Jersey and one of the artists selected for the upcoming Harlem Arts Festival, said he felt honored to be a part of Harlem.
“I’ve only been here two years, but I feel blessed to be a part of this community. It’s an honor to be here,” he said, as he launched into two of his original pieces.
The gala’s guests, who paid between $50 to $150 for tickets, were also treated to the vocal stylings of Queen Esther, with Dan Rosengard on piano, and Briana Thomas, with Conun Pappas Jr. on piano, as well as an extra-special dance performance by eight children who are part of the Ballroom Basix program.
The Harlem-based nonprofit is a non-competitive dance program that teaches children ballroom and Latin dancing skills. Its founder, Sidney Grant, said, “We teach more than just dance; we teach manners and etiquette. We connect the community and the work.”
The inaugural Harlem Arts Festival is scheduled to take place in the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater at Marcus Garvey Park June 29-30. Out of a pool of 75 applicants, 35 artists have been selected to be part of the festival.
“There’s a very rich, creative legacy here in Harlem, but there is also a lot of talent here right now,” said J.J. El-Far, Harlem Arts Festival’s creative director. “We wanted to create a festival that celebrates all of the arts. Our artists have a diverse array of talents and they all have roots or connections here.”
For more information, visit www.harlemartsfestival.com.
Read the article at the Amsterdam News
