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The Brooklyn Arts Exchange celebrated
its 10th anniversary on April 6 with a gala event at the Brooklyn
Museum of Art. The event featured performances by BAX dance students
of all ages, as well as performances by professional performing
artists.
One highlight of the evening was an acrobatic
performance of "LAVA" (1) by dancer Natalie Agee (above)
and dancer-choreographer Sarah East Johnson, who wowed the crowd
of BAX supporters with their athleticism and grace.
The event was emceed by hilarious comedian
Julie Goldman and Jennifer Miller (2), the bearded lady of Circus
Amok fame. Miller, at right, is pictured at the VIP party following
the performances with Patricia Hoffbauer of "A Night in
La Mezcla," a thoroughly original dance-theater piece about
family relationships.
The event was in part a tribute to BAX
founder and executive director Marya Warshaw (3), pictured left
with former BAX director of development Meg Fagan. BAX is located
at 421 Fifth Ave. in Park Slope.
Akin to a vaudeville show, the gala program
featured comics, vocalists, bands, dancers and circus sideshow
tricks. Did we mention fire eating?
Other notable performances were given by
the all-female a capella group Pillars of Salt (4) (left to right)
Terry Maroney, Betsy Crenshaw and Kimberleigh Smith and (not
pictured) Janiece Thompson; edgy actress Jen Mitas; choreographer
Dean Moss’ "American Deluxe," featuring dancers Jason
Merchant and Kacie Chang (5); and the barnstorming, square dance-like
performers of "Root and Branch."
Ten years ago, choreographer Martha Bowers,
artistic director of Dance Theatre Etcetera, produced the first
"Root and Branch," a dance project for fathers and
sons. Though the boys from the original cast are now college-age,
Bowers re-staged a heartwarming section of the work for the next
generation of fathers and sons, featuring guest appearances by
some original cast members.
"This was the most successful fundraiser
we have ever had in the history of the Brooklyn Arts Exchange,"
said BAX General Manager Vanessa Adato, about the funds raised.
Though an exact tally wasn’t available at press time, Adato gave
partial credit for the success of the event to the "many
businesses who donated goods, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art,
which donated their space to us free of charge. We were incredibly
fortunate."
