Winter Heat - a benefit for Career Transitions for Dancers and the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts

Robert Abrams
March 2, 2006

I have found that there is a special energy at benefits. People having fun and benefiting a good cause is a powerful combination. I am always on the lookout for reasonably priced benefits that are conducive to social dancing. The main such benefit on my list has been New York City Ballet's Dance with the Dancers. I can now add the Career Transitions for Dancers/Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts' Winter Heat to my list of "shouldn't miss" events.

The tickets to CTFD/HCPA Winter Heat were $150. For a New York City benefit that is cheap. The attendees got cocktails, a performance by HCPA's Gestures Dance Ensemble, a buffet dinner, a performance by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin of Dance Times Square, a Latin dance class by Nydia Ocasio and dancing all night to the live music of Louis BauzÛ and the Harbor Latin Big Band. The event took place at the Copacabana (560 West 34th Street).

Gestures performed a dance choreographed by Darrell Grand Moultrie. The young ladies were confident and danced well as an ensemble. Tony and Melanie did a Latin number that heated up the room. Nydia was a patient and engaging instructor who got most of the attendees onto the dance floor to learn some new moves. She did her job well because plenty of people stayed on the floor to dance when the band came on.

"Career Transitions for Dancers has helped more than 3000 professional dancers nationwide. CTFD has helped dancers identify their unique talents and skills as they plan and pursue rewarding new careers in anticipation of "life after dance", [Editor's note: I would take issue with this statement. As far as I am concerned there is no such thing as life after dance. Professional dance careers may end, but I would dance would stay a part of their lives in some form.] offering individualized career counseling, educational scholarships, and comprehensive programs and services. Harbor Conservancy for the Performing Arts, a division of Boys and Girls Harbor, a nonprofit multi-service youth agency, has been introducing young children to the world of dance for 36 years. They have been nurturing and training talented Harlem teenagers for future professional dance careers. Studying with accomplished dance professionals, Harbor Conservatory students build a solid technical foundation in classical ballet, modern, jazz, tap, African and folkloric dance." - Winter Heat program notes.

I had a great time at Winter Heat. I am looking forward to next year.

Gestures Dance Ensemble
Photo courtesy of Nicole Braun

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Gestures Dance Ensemble
Photo courtesy of Nicole Braun

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Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith
Photo courtesy of Nicole Braun

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Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
Photo courtesy of Nicole Braun

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Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith's hands
Photo courtesy of Nicole Braun

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Tony Meredith
Photo courtesy of Nicole Braun

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Social Dancing Salsa
Photo courtesy of Nicole Braun

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Social Dancing Salsa
Photo courtesy of Nicole Braun

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