chashama Launches Free Summer Performance Series With A Bang

NEW YORK - May 1, 2014 - PRLog -- On Monday, June 9^th 2014 at 6:00 PM chashama will host their annual gala at Anita’s Way (132 West 43rd Street), known for combining real estate and the arts to provide essential performance, exhibit, and work space to thousands of performing and visual artists throughout NYC at free or low-cost rates.

The gala also marks the start of chashama’s Summer Performance Series, where chashama will fill seven underutilized spaces with free public performances while providing cash grants between $100-$300 for artists selected into the program. The spaces will be provided for selected artists free of charge ranging from 1-3 week residencies to present their works, including a newly acquired space in Long Island City, called the Falchi Building.

One of the dedicated spaces for the performance series will host the gala - a pedestrian walk-way-turned-performance space (called Anita’s Way) connecting 42nd and 43rd Streets between the Condé Nast building and the Bank of America tower. The benefit will host art installations and performances showcasing daring, contemporary works by local artists including aerialist acrobats, custom hair art by Edisa Weeks, and a Dance-oke Photobooth - where guests can receive a snapshots of themselves grooving to their favorite song for 30 seconds.

Attendees will include 450 of the city’s most forward-thinking land owners, corporate executives, arts professionals, and innovative creators. Sponsors include Tishman Speyer, CBRE, Bank of America, and The Real Deal.

The gala will kick off at NASDAQ, where Founder and Artistic Director Anita Durst will ring the closing bell, launching a PSA campaign on the NASDAQ Tower and Reuters digital screens. The fundraising continues with an online auction with Charity Buzz – offering fashion week, travel, and art experiences.  All proceeds from the Gala and the Auction provide essential funding for chashama’s innovative artistic programs.

Durst says, “This Gala offers an extraordinary experience for our guests.  Gala guests will be invited to create their own art and to interact with the performers throughout the evening as they flow through the party space.  And our supporters have the deep satisfaction of knowing that their participation makes chashama’s unique programs possible.  They give artists what they need most – space to create."

The evening continues with a late-night dance party with See.Me - a celebration of their new digital art campaign, bringing together gallerists, leaders of arts organizations and collectives, and renowned artists, who will all gather to toast New York City's vibrant art scene.

All proceeds from the evening help chashama:
Ø  provide space grants worth over $2M to artists and youth
Ø  support 300 creative individuals each day
Ø  present 180 public events per year

For ticket and sponsorship information, please contact Anna Chan at (212) 391-8151 x42 or anna@chashama.org or visit: chashama.org/event/2014_chashama_gala (http://www.chashama.org/event/2014_chashama_gala)

To learn more about the Summer Performance Series, visit: http://www.chashama.org/programs/performing-arts/sps2014

2014 chashama Gala
6:00-9:00 PM - Cocktails, Hors d'oeuvres, Dinner
9:30 PM - After Party, Dancing
132 West 43^rd Street - Anita's Way (Between 6^th Avenue and Broadway)

Honoring: Chicago Title Insurance Company

Co-Chairs: Katie Fischer Cherry, Elizabeth Kurpis

Sponsors: Chicago Title Insurance Company, Mutual of America, Tishman Speyer, Anchin, Block & Anchin, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, Rosenberg & Estis, P.C., Schulte, Roth, & Zabel, Bank of America, CBRE, Conde Nast, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, Willis of NY

Honorary Committee: Ted Allen, Susanne Bartsch, Cora Cahan, Tracee Chimo, Vin Cipolla, Jeffrey Deitch, Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, Kate Finneran, Todd Haimes, Jennifer Ok, Michael Rosenblum, Jordan Roth, Dr. Thomas Schutte, Danny Simmons, Elizabeth Streb, Tim Tompkins, John Turturro

Benefit Committee: Matthew Blesso, Tracy Causey-Jeffery, Nicholas Cohn, Sidra Durst, Will Etundi, Brandl Frey, Michael Hambouz, Ben Korman, Amber Lasciak, Andres Levin, Greg O'Connell, Darren Perkell, AJ Pietrantone, Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas, Nikita Sarkar, David Sturner, Arden Wohl

Media Sponsor: The Real Deal, The NSN Group

Liquor Sponsors: JOTO, Harlem Brewery Co.

About chashama: chashama nurtures artists by transforming unused property into affordable live, work, and presentation space. Through creative space transformation, chashama redistributes the untapped resources available in our urban landscape by partnering with private and public property owners. By structuring a mission around this goal, chashama has become a major force in the NYC arts community by supporting the work and ideas of an increasing number of emerging artists every year. www.chashama.org.