New York, NY - Ballet Hispánico announced today it will be honoring Puerto Rican legendary actress and EGOT winner Rita Moreno with the Toda Una Vida Lifetime Achievement Award and Ecuadorian-American Pinnacle Group Chairman and CEO Nina Vaca with the Nuestra Inspiración Award at its annual Carnaval Gala in The Plaza Hotel's Grand Ballroom, 768 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Cocktails begin at 6:30pm and dinner and dancing commence at 7:30pm. Proceeds, which last year totaled just over $1.1 million, benefit the creation of new Company works, scholarships in the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance, and community arts education programs. Ballet Hispánico was founded by a Latina leader of its own: National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, who emboldened the organization in 1970 with her mission to provide access to arts education and give voice to the Latino artist. Her legacy has lived on since 2009 through the expansive vision of Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, who has infused Ballet Hispánico with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America's changing cultural landscape, and who has established programs that have nurtured a new generation of Latino leaders, many of them female. "I love what this organization does for the community; it's inspirational. It fits with my own mission to serve our youth," said Rita Moreno. "I am excited to find other ways of partnering with Ballet Hispánico to reach our community with the arts." Carnaval, the inspiration for Ballet Hispánico's annual Gala as envisioned by Eduardo Vilaro, is a celebration of the impactful voices of the Latino world-an exciting and fitting way to showcase the resilience and unparalleled vision of one of America's cultural gems. Attended by more than 500 of New York's most influential civic leaders, philanthropists and artists, the evening is filled with live Latin music and thrilling performances by the Ballet Hispánico Company and students of the School of Dance. The event is headed by Gala Chairs Jody Gottfried Arnhold, Richard Feldman, Kate Lear and David Pérez. Attire for the event is festive black tie. To purchase tickets, a table, a journal advertisement, or for more information, please contact Felicia Mayo at (212) 362-6710, x 44 or efmayo@ballethispanico.org. ABOUT BALLET HISPÁNICO America's premier Latino dance organization for more than 45 years, Ballet Hispánico brings communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures and the shared human experience through dance. Founded by National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico has been led since 2009 by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, who has infused the organization's legacy with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America's changing cultural landscape. Through performances of its internationally-acclaimed Company, innovative dance training programs, and community education activities that inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds, Ballet Hispánico brings the joy of dance and Hispanic culture to the world. For more information, visit www.ballethispanico.org. Follow Ballet Hispánicoon Facebook,Instagram and Twitter.  Rita Moreno
Nina Vaca |
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