The evening will begin with cocktails at 7pm and will include a performance by Parsons Dance, a competition Dancing in the Streets, where donors take the stage for one-minute routines with Parsons dancers as their partners, followed by honors. Parsons Dance recognizes Ellsworth Kelly and Dr. & Mrs. Edward J. Prostic, the lead commissioners of Remember Me, the company's January 2009 world premiere collaboration with the lead vocalists and music of East Village Opera Company, and Lynn Davis, a dedicated board member of Parsons Dance since 2006. Dessert, coffee, cocktails and dancing will end the evening.

Host Lin-Manuel Miranda is the creator-composer-lyricist of In the Heights, winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and recipient of a Best Leading Actor nomination for his performance as Usnavi. Other credits: West Side Story, Stephen Schwartz' Working (contributing composer), Freestyle Love Supreme (co-founder/performer). TV/film: "The Electric Company," "Sesame Street," "The Sopranos."

PARSONS DANCE GALA COMMITTEE 2009
Members of the 2009 Gala Committee are Linda Stocknoff, Gala Chair, and Co-Chairs Barbara Rohdie, Froma Benerofe, Richard Kielar, Vickie Morris, and Fiorenza Scholey.

Parson Dance's 2009 Gala will be held Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm at The Times Center, 242 W. 41st Street, NYC. Tickets begin at $495 and are available by calling (212) 869-9275, by emailing gala@parsonsdance.org or online at nycharities.org/parsonsdance.