Brooklynites came out in droves to celebrate
the 25th anniversary of the Mark Morris Dance Group at the Brooklyn
Academy of Music’s Spring Gala on March 23. Among the VIPs who
attended the fundraiser were Borough President Markowitz, composer
Philip Glass, performance artist Laurie Anderson, musician Lou
Reed and movie studio chairman Douglas Steiner.
Following a triumphant performance by the Fort Greene-based
troupe at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House – which included
the New York premieres of "Cargo" and "Candleflowerdance"
– gala ticket holders enjoyed a dinner at Steiner’s Soundstage
4 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, catered by Abigail Kirsch. Spring
was clearly the theme of The Experiential Agency’s soiree decor
where blades of grass were projected on the stage’s 45-foot high
walls.
Steiner told GO Brooklyn that he was happy to share his space
for BAM’s benefit.
"BAM is the pre-eminent arts institution in New York City
and they’re great neighbors as well," said Steiner, whose
studios were used by director Ivan Reitman for his new movie,
"My Super Ex-Girlfriend," starring Uma Thurman.
Gala chairs Alan and Judith Fishman, as well as BAM President
Karen Brooks Hopkins and Executive Producer Joseph Melillo, gave
their remarks from atop a prop from Julie Taymor’s upcoming film
"Across the Universe" – an enormous reproduction of
the top of the torch of the Statue of Liberty.
(Pictured at left: Steiner, his date Corinne
Takasaki, Morris and Fishman.)
MMDG’s season continues with a world premiere at Lincoln Center’s
Mostly Mozart festival, Aug. 17-19. Tickets go on sale June 7.
Visit the Web site www.LincolnCenter.org
for information.
