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Friday, May 20, 2011

The BAM Noche Cubana Gala - Highlights

Guests taking to the dance floor during Cutumba's performance
Outisde it may have been cold and rainy on Tuesday, but inside BAM things got hot and sun-soaked for the BAM Noche Cubana Gala!  View this full article for highlights and images from the event...

The Arturo O'Farrill Ensemble performing at the BAM Noche Cubana Gala.  The motorcycle in the background is part of a special edition of BAMart, curated with the Magnan Metz Gallery and featuring contemporary Cuban artists.
 This past Tuesday, BAM celebrated the vibrant artistic spirit of Cuba with a gala that embraced the flavors and rhythms of the Cuban culture.  We invited two incredible groups of artists to perform at the event, both representing distinctive yet equally spectacular and iconic sets of the Cuban music scene - the Arturo O'Farrill Ensemble led by Grammy Award winning jazz pianist Arturo O'Farrill, and Ballet Folklorico Cutumba performing Afro-Cuban-Franco-Haitian folkloric and popular music and song.

The gala was chaired by BAM Board Trustees Therese M. Esperdy and Alberto Sanchez (Mr. Sanchez representing Banco Santander, S.A.), and guests included representatives and colleagues from many of the partners and sponsors of the current Si Cuba! Festival



Guests were invited to kick-off the night with a cocktail hour and mojitos aplenty, followed by a Cuban-inspired dinner by restaurateur Great Performances.  Our fabulous decor sponsor, Fleurs Bella, turned our Lepercq Space into a warm tropical oasis and the perfect setting for the extraordinary performances.  The dance floor was packed by the time Cutumba took the stage, and following their set DJ Idlemind kept the party going well into the night.

Don't miss Cutumba when they next perform at BAM for DanceAfrica 2011




Therese Esperdy, one of the gala chairs, with a guest during cocktails.


BAM President Karen Brooks Hopkins dancing with Fernando Saez of the Ludwig Foundation.

Baba Chuck Davis introducing Cutumba.



All photos by Elena Olivo.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Are You Ready to Rumba??


A week from today BAM invites you to celebrate the rhythms and flavors of Cuba at the BAM Noche Cubana Gala!  This event features special musical performances: The Arturo O'Farrill Ensemble and Ballet Folklorico Cutumba, two modern icons of the Cuban music scene.  Dancing shoes recommended!

Tickets are still available for purchase, starting at $100 for the dessert party only and $1,000 for the full gala evening.  Click here for details, or contact BAM Patron Services by phone at 718.636.4182 or by email to RSVP...

Monday, May 9, 2011

King Lear Opening Night Party


Derek Jacobi (center) with guests at the Opening Night Party.
Wednesday night at the King Lear Opening Night Party at the Harvey Theater, BAM members toasted the company from Donmar Warehouse for an outstanding performance and an already sold-out run! Sir Derek Jacobi and the cast mingled with the crowd in the Campbell Lobby and celebrated long into the night. Click the link below to read on and check out pictures from the evening's festivities...
BAM Producer Council members and above celebrated Donmar Warehouse and their triumphant sold-out* return to the Harvey Theater stage Wednesday night, enjoying delicious bites from caterer Great Performances and beverages from hometown vendors Brooklyn Gin and Brooklyn Brewery.  New Donmar Warehouse Executive Producer Nick Giles joined BAM President Karen Hopkins and BAM Executive Producer Joe Melillo for remarks at the party and the guests had a terrific time throughout the evening.  

Brooklyn Gin provided another fantastic cocktail for the party, this time created by Adam Schuman at Fatty Cue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Possessing an inviting yellow hue and named after one of protagonist Lear's not so flattering characteristics, the "Fool's Gold" cocktail was the evening's beverage of choice.  Guests also enjoyed Brooklyn Brewery pilsner and event decor from the always exquisite Fleurs Bella.

It was a fabulous way to close what has been a fantastic Spring Theater Season here at BAM!

Tickets to King Lear are currently unavailable to the general public due to popular demand.*

A limited number of front orchestra seats are available to Friends of BAM at the Benefactor level ($1000) and above for select performances. To become a Benefactor, call Patron Services at 718.636.4182.

*A limited number of partial view seats are available by calling BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100

Diane Max, wife of the BAM Board Vice Chairnan Adam Max and guests at the King Lear Opening Night Party

Takis and Rina Anoussis chatting with Sir Derek Jacobi

Party goers enjoying the "Fool's Gold" cocktial from Spring Theater Gin Sponsor, Brooklyn Gin


Ashley Zhanghaza, Ron Cook, and Pippa Bennett-Warner from the King Lear cast


Cast member Stephano Theodoli-Braschi and friends

Pippa Bennett-Warner with Stephanie Dittmer and Executive Producer Nick Giles of Donmar Warehouse

Brooklyn Gin provided the "Fool's Gold" cocktail, a gin and tonic cocktail with Cocchi Americano fashioned by Adam Schuman at Fatty Cue in Brooklyn.