Oregon Ballet Theatre’s “Viva La Danza” Gala Dazzles

Michael Mazzola, Kester Cotton, and Alison Roper

Portland, April 14th. Supporters grabbed their castanets and put on their dancing shoes for OBT’s Latin flavored benefit auction. Michael Mazzola, Kester Cotton and ballerina, Alison Roper enjoyed the festivities. The event featured Latin cuisine, delicious wines and performances from Portland’s finest Latin dancers paired up with members of OBT’s company for a maravilloso evening of entertainment and celebration.

Dancers Alex Krebs and Grace Schibley

Vicki Sellin, Mary Jane Schenk and Susan Franzen

Diane Syrcle, OBT Executive Director and Event co-chair Ken Hick

John Van Buren, OBT Artistic Director Christopher Stowell, Evans Van Buren and Marsha Warner

Supporters from Sponsor, Boeing: Owen Loh, Caludia Carbajal, Stewart Ibbotson, Deanna Haley, William Girton, and Toni Carlo

Lane Hickey, Siri McLaughlin and Colin McLaughlin

Director, School of OBT, Damara Bennett, with Clark Taylor and Claudia Taylor, M.D.

Angela Polin, Tina Skouras and Connie Greenblatt

From Oregon Ballet Theatre:

Ticket sales account for only 50% of Oregon Ballet Theatre’s annual operating budget, so we rely on the generosity of corporations, foundations and individual donors to close the gap. Our donors are an integral part of the OBT family, without them, we would not be able to present world-class ballet, provide training of the highest caliber to aspiring dancers and bring the arts to underserved school children in the Portland metro area.

Upcoming OBT performances include:

Chromatic Quartet
APRIL 19 – 28, 2012
Newmark Theatre

Dance United

JUNE 9, 2012
Keller Auditorium

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.