Honorary Gala Chair Rita Moreno, Gala Co-Chair Sheree Chambers

Dancers, diplomats and superstar of stage and screen Rita Moreno rubbed shoulders at the 2009 gala of the 31st Annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre.

Three hundred and seventy-five people attended the celebratory event, enjoying delicious international food and beverages from over a dozen Bay Area restaurants, a silent auction, and a festive live auction emceed by popular ABC7/KGO personalities Cheryl Jennings and Don Sanchez.

Elvira Pradas, Honorary Gala Chair Rita Moreno, Consul General of Spain Manuel Romani

In an annual fundraising event marked by multicultural good cheer, world dancers and musicians in this year’s Festival mingled with event producer World Arts West’s Board members, supporters and donors including Honorary Gala Chair Rita Moreno, Honorary Committee members Wilkes Bashford, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Asian Art Museum Director Jay Xu and Consul Generals from 12 countries including Consul General Alex Geiger of Chile, Consul General Susmita Gongulee Thomas of India, Consul General Yasumasa Nagamine of Japan, Consul General Kamel Ayoub of Jordan, Honorary Consul General Jitu Somaya of Mauritius, Consul General Carlos Felix Corona of Mexico, Consul General Gerry Staunton of Ireland, Consul General Nicolás Roncagliolo of Peru, Consul General Manuel Pradas Romani of Spain, Consul General Jean-Francois Lichtenstern of Switzerland, Consul General Julian Evans of the United Kingdom and Consul General Vladimir Vinokurov of the Russian Federation.

Gala Co-Chair Diane Goldsmith, World Arts West Board President Susan Somaya, Gala Co-Chair Sheree Chambers, Honorary Chair Rita Moreno, Honorary Committee member Wilkes Bashford

Swiss alpine horn players Sue and Steve Fox

The Gala began with a surprise performance made possible by Swiss Consul General Jean Francois Lichtenstern by yodeller Lisa Ward-Diller, who was accompanied by alpine horns and a flag thrower.

Wilkes Bashford thanked Board President Susan Somaya and Gala Co-Chairs Sherée Chambers and Diane Goldsmith for their tireless efforts and dedication and then introduced the legendary Rita Moreno who delivered an eloquent speech about the power of dance to transcend difference.

The evening also featured stellar performances by nine Bay Area dance companies, representing a range of cultures including Filipino, Hawaiian, Russian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Peruvian, Spanish and Liberian.

Sherri Burke, Dr. Robert Wolfe, Janet Fjelstadt, World Arts West Board President Susan Somaya

Caryn Cohen, Hannah Watson

Each year, World Arts West, a non-profit organization that creates unique opportunities to see and experience the dance and music traditions of the world, needs to raise over $600,000 to make the extraordinary Festival happen, the largest and most prestigious gathering of its kind in the country. The Gala serves as the major fundraising event towards these efforts. The auction item bringing in the highest sale that night was a “Dancing with the Stars” package that included tickets to a live broadcast of the popular show, donated by champion dancer Cheryl Burke.

World Arts West has been presenting and promoting the dance and music traditions of the world since 1978, creating opportunities for individuals and communities to celebrate, share, and sustain the vitality of ethnic dance. Their work promotes the importance of cultural heritage for strengthening community and building cultural understanding.

Further Information: World Arts West [worldartswest.org]
Photos: Kurty Photography