Limón Dance Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2024 Spring Gala, honoring Linda Murray, Anne H. Bass Curator at the New York Public Library and Lourdes Lopez, Artistic Director at the Miami City Ballet. This year’s celebration of our dancers, supporters, and community will commemorate individuals whose work crosses borders to reach new communities and inspire hope for the future.

Limón’s global ethos is central to his deeply humanist legacy, and therefore to the Foundation’s work. We are proud to present the Limón Director’s Award for Artistic Excellence in Curation to Linda Murray, whose work as the Anne H. Bass Curator for the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library has highlighted not only Limón’s artistic influence but the foundational contributions of artists of color and artists from immigrant and Indigenous communities to American modern dance. We are also excited to announce the Limón Director’s Award for Artistic Excellence in Leadership will be awarded to Lourdes Lopez, whose pivotal tenure as Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet is the culmination of a career dedicated to defining a vision of excellence for the future of American dance.

The evening begins at 6pm with welcome drinks, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony, and a special performance by students from William Lynch Elementary School as part of our Limón4Kids program. After dinner, the Limón Dance Company and Limón2 will perform José Limón’s symphonic masterpiece, Missa Brevis, with live music performed by the St. Bartholomew’s Choir and organist. The evening will conclude with dessert and dancing with special guest DJ Reborn.

Current Gala Sponsors and Host Committee Members include: BNY Mellon, Cone Marshall Group, Withersworldwide, the Jerome Robbins Foundation, Deborah & Charles Adelman, Jody & John Arnhold, Wayne & Dr. Tina Evans, Karl J. Feitelberg, Sylvia Ann Hewlett & Richard S. Weinert, Caroline Hyman, Dr. Jonathan Leinbach, Robert & Jeanne Meister, John E. Oden, Michelle Preston & Brian Kim, Katrina Robinson, Robyn Meredith, Ivan Sacks, and Raina Sacks-Blankenhorn.

Individual tickets for this year’s Gala range from $1,500 VIP seats for the full event to $125 for entry to the performance and afterparty. Table sponsorships begin at $5,000. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.limon.nyc/gala. Those interested in sponsoring this event can contact Elizagrace Madrone, Development Manager, at emadrone@limon.nyc. All funds raised for the evening will directly support the José Limón Dance Foundation’s ongoing operations, including the Limón Dance Company and the Limón Institute.

About Limón Dance Company

JOSÉ LIMÓN (Founder/Choreographer, 1908-1972) electrified the world with his dynamic masculine dancing and dramatic choreography. One of the 20th century’s most important and influential dance makers, he spent his career pioneering a new art form and fighting for its recognition. Born in Culiacán, Mexico in 1908, he moved to California in 1915, and in 1928 came to New York where he saw his first dance program. Limón enrolled in Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman’s dance school and performed in several of their works from 1930 to 1940. In 1946, with Doris Humphrey as Artistic Director, Limón formed his own company. Over the next 25 years, he established himself and his company as a major force of 20th century dance. Limón created a total of 74 works, including The Moor’s Pavane, Concerto Grosso, and Missa Brevis.

Founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American Modern dance since its inception and is considered one of the world’s greatest dance companies. Choreographer and dancer José Limón is credited with creating one of the world’s most important and enduring dance legacies— an art form responsible for the creation, growth and support of modern dance in this country. Acclaimed for its dramatic expression, technical mastery and expansive, yet nuanced movement, the Limón Dance Company illustrates the timelessness of José Limón’s work and vision. The Company’s repertory, which includes classic works in addition to new commissions from contemporary choreographers, possesses an unparalleled breadth and creates unique experiences for audiences around the world. www.limon.nyc

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