Harlem School of Arts Hosts 50th Anniversary Gala at The Plaza

New York, N.Y.  On Monday, October 5, 2015, the Harlem School of the Arts ( HSA ) will host its 50th Year Anniversary Gala Kickoff in the Grand Ballroom at The Plaza.

The star-studded evening will recognize artists, community leaders and activists that represent outstanding achievement in arts advocacy, philanthropy and community leadership while raising funds essential to helping HSA in its mission of empowering young people from under-served communities in Harlem and throughout the city to find and develop the artist and citizen within themselves.

Honorees for HSA’s 50th Anniversary Gala include: renowned soprano Jessye Norman , who will receive the Dorothy Maynor Award and actress and activist Cicely Tyson , who will be recognized with the Betty Allen Lifetime Achievement Award.  Artist Kehinde Wiley , Grammy-winning singer/entertainer Alicia Keys and Keys’ mother Terria Joseph will each be presented with the Visionary Artist Award.

The Corporate Award will be presented to Steinway & Sons ( Michael Sweeney , CEO; award to be accepted by John Paulson , Chairman) and the Civic Award will be presented to the Honorable Keith L.T. Wright.

David Ushery , Anchor for NBC 4 New York, will serve as Master of Ceremony alongside HSA student hosts for the evening, and auctioneer CK Swett will host a live auction with lots that include a four-day, three-night vacation in the British Virgin Islands, a dinner for 16 guests prepared by Alexander Smalls , Executive Chef of The Cecil & Minton’s restaurants in Harlem, and a Cuban vacation with Grammy-winning pianist and bandleader, Arturo O’Farrill .

The evening will also feature live performances by HSA students and alumni, including music by the HSA All Stars, who will be joined at evening’s end by Arturo O’Farrill for a rousing musical selection and jam session.  For more information on the Gala, please visit: http://hsanyc.org/gala2015-tickets/ .

Additional notables include: Co-Chairs: Emily & Stephen Usher , J anice Savin Williams & Christopher Williams , and Rona Sebastian & The Herb Alpert Foundation; Benefit Committee: Rhonda Mims , Gabriella Morris , and Alexander Smalls ; Honorary Committee: Angela Bassett & Courtney B. Vance , Audra McDonald , Phylicia Rashad , Gloria Steinem , and George C. Wolfe .

WHERE

The Grand Ballroom at The Plaza | Fifth Avenue at Central Park South | New York,  NY, 10019

WHEN

Monday, October 5, 2015

5:15pm – Media Check-In

6:00pm – Cocktail Reception

7:30pm – Dinner & Program

Harlem School of the Arts ( HSA )

For nearly a half century, the Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of young people through world-class training in the arts.  HSA’s mission empowers young people from under-served communities in Harlem and throughout the city to find and develop the artist and citizen within themselves.  HSA’s environment teaches discipline, stimulates creativity, builds self-confidence and adds a dimension of beauty to the lives of each student.

HSA stands among New York City’s premier arts institutions as a provider of quality arts education in music, dance, theatre and visual arts.  HSA boasts an impressive alumni base of Tony-award winning actors, celebrated operatic voices and jazz musicians, visual artists, dancers, and inspired citizens who cite HSA as the platform from which they launched careers in law, business and other professional fields.  HSA believes that all children deserve access to a quality arts education, empowering them to become the creative thinkers and innovative leaders of tomorrow.

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