vildwerk., a non-profit organization dedicated to raising environmental awareness through dance, presented Dancing For Our Wonderful World at New York Live Arts. Eight dance works across four nights, December 17 through 20, included two world premieres choreographed by Bradley Shelver and Antonia Franceschi, as well as repertory by Christopher Wheeldon, OBE, Gianna Reisen, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Virginie Mécène, and Henning Rübsam.
“We’re sold out, and the reason is easy. Art and nature have always gone hand in hand since the beginning of time,” said vildwerk. founder Chiara Gorodesky, “We bring conservation awareness through dance and the performing arts. Each of our eight pieces tonight is an intellectual piece of art. This season we’re working with the World Wildlife Fund and Nature and Culture International, who have been working with our artists and talking about what’s actually going on in the field, what we need to do, and what we can do here in Manhattan as New Yorkers to make a change.”
Performers included former Royal Ballet principal, Edward Watson, MBE, who flew in from London to dance in “ASYLUM,” which Antonia Franceschi choreographed specifically for him. Other stars in the program included Mira Nadon, Megan LeCrone (former New York City Ballet), Preston Chamblee, and Craig Hall (NYCB), Isabella Boylston (American Ballet Theatre), Renan Cerdeiro (former Miami City Ballet), Benjamin Freemantle (former San Francisco Ballet), Grace Sautter (Martha Graham Dance Company), Gianna Reisen (former Los Angeles Dance Project), Bryan Testa (GALLIM), Alyssa Bulin and Peter Mazurowski (freelance), as well as members of the Buglisi Dance Theatre, and the Joffrey Concert Group.
At an auction following an intimate opening night dinner, Barbara Tober led the paddle raise with a pledge of $25,000 to support vildwerk. Friends bid enthusiastically for a whale watching trip and private tours of the Garden State Tortoise conservatory. Lobby galleries showcased the #TheRubyInitiative photo exhibition, focusing attention on Ruby, an endangered Burmese Roofed Turtle, and raised support for her conservation and long-term care. She is one of six known females.
Guests included Emily Avsar, Samantha Bass, Zara Beard, Judy and Nick Bunzl, Celina Chien, Caroline Coleman, Daniel Fox, Lola Koch, David K. Israel, Jeannette and Alex Sanger, Donna Sanzone, Jerald Tenenbaum, and Désirée Von la Valette.
vildwerk. envisions a world where the arts are a powerful force for environmental change. Through compelling dance works and cross-disciplinary collaborations, they aim to inspire, spark awareness, foster dialogue, and mobilize communities to protect our planet for future generations. For more information, visit vildwerk.org.
