Ailey II Dance Ensemble at Greenwich Academy To Benefit Family ReEntry

After 16 years of "Music in the Garden" at historic Bydale, Greenwich, Family ReEntry will go indoors at Greenwich Academy for this year's fundraiser, presenting a performance by the world-renowned Ailey II Dance Company (the Next Generation of Dance) on Saturday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the performance, dancers will offer a master class to Greenwich Academy dance students from noon to 2:00 p.m. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will precede the performance, which will be followed by a VIP champagne reception with a celebrity from the dance world.

The talented dancers of Ailey II are renowned for captivating audiences and translating their strength and agility into powerful performances. Under the artistic direction of Troy Powell, this critically acclaimed company presents vibrant performances and innovative community programs across the country and internationally. "The future is theirs", says the New York Times.

Joan Warburg, the perennial gracious hostess at Bydale, is Honorary Chair of the benefit, which will be held in honor of long-time supporter Beth Bush.

A group of enthusiastic committee members met at the Tomes Higgins House at Christ Church recently to plan the event, and to hear about Board member and Co-chair Sally Schenk's conversation with President Obama when he recently visited Connecticut, and a New York Times article on the vital work of the organization.

Jeffrey Earls, Director of Development for Fam Re (FRE) was in attendance, along with Tina Banas, who spoke about the Youth Transitions program of teaching life skill, the Champions program for children affected by incarceration in the Bridgeport area, and J-Connect.

Enthusiastic Committee members in attendance were Co-Chairs Susan Ness and Sally Schenk, Linda Michonski, Lyn Hurlock, Letitia Potter, Angenette Meaney, Paulette Macpherson, Nancy Brown, Mary Waldron, Cricket Lockhart, Daphne Finney, Virginia Coudert, and others.

 For information about the Benefit, contact Susan Ness at susaneness@hotmail.com or go to www.FamilyReEntry.org