BC/EFA Annual Report 2004 - Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS
DANCERS
RESPONDING TO AIDS
(DRA)
Dancers Responding to AIDS is the American dance community’s ongoing response to the health crisis,
rallying the dance world to raise money to provide direct assistance to dance professionals living with HIV/AIDS, as well as to AIDS
service organizations nationwide. These funds are distributed through The Actors’ Fund of America (see page 6), and through
BC/EFA’s National Grants Program (see page 12). The following are DRA’s signature events during fiscal year 2004:
THE REMEMBER PROJECT 2003
The Remember Project, a remembrance to those lost and living with HIV/AIDS, returned to Danspace at St. Mark’s Church on
December 6, 2003. More than 200 performers participated in this 12-hour vigil-in-motion, which lasted from noon to midnight.
Dance groups represented included Susan Marshall & Company, The Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem,
Elisa Monte Dance, Joyce Trisler Danscompany, Pilobolus, American Ballet Theatre, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, Chinese Folk
Dance Company, Battleworks, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Lawrence Goldhuber.
An unforgettable highlight was one of the final performances by Homer Avila, a dancer/choreographer who lost his right leg and
hip to a rare form of cancer. Avila passed away just a few months later on April 25, 2004. An inspiration to so many in the dance
community, he continues to be missed.
JOINING FORCES WITH THE FUTURE OF DANCE
DRA is thrilled that young dancers across the country are joining professionals in their fundraising efforts. In 2004, more than
$160,000 was raised through bake sales, special dance classes and audience appeals through our Studio of the Year program. With
assistance from dance organizations like the New York City Dance Alliance and Tremaine Dance Convention, dance studios raise
money for the opportunity to win trips to London or Los Angeles. During the summer of 2004, Marietta, GA’s Rhythm Dance
Center (which raised almost $25,000) earned a trip to London to perform at Sadler’s Wells, while Topeka, KS’s Dance Factory
(which raised $7,000) learned it would be traveling to Los Angeles to perform at a premier dance gala.
The DRA Dance Invitational with special guest, Broadway’s Christopher Sieber, and over 100 dancers from seven studios across Los Angeles;
Cedar Lake Dance Ensemble perform in DECADE at The Fire Island Dance Festival; enthusiastic audience members outdoors at Danskin’s Ballroom in Bryant Park
spontaneously joined in the finale.
dancers responding to aids
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