On the Scene: vildwerk. Host Inaugural Gala at the Bowery Hotel

The inaugural season of vildwerk. is set for 2024.

On Monday, vilwerk. held their inaugural gala at the Bowery Hotel with a number of stunning performances and guest speakers.

vildwerk. is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising global environmental conservation awareness through dance and the performing arts. Founded by Chiara Gorodesky, the organization strives to create pieces highlighting nature—celebrating life in every movement.

Christopher Wheeldon, OBE was chair of the inaugural gala. Wheeldon is a 2x Tony Award-winning choreographer who will be presenting one of vildwerk.’s first works in the 2024 season. 

To begin the gala both Gorodesky and Wheelson spoke about their excitement in being involved: 

“There are so many stories to be told. The arts inspire the hearts of people, and we need to tell these stories of what’s happening in the world. We will collaborate with local organizations, and in 2024 with our first staged season, we will give them a voice,” said Gorodesky.

Wheeldon expressed,  “I’m extremely honored to be the chairman of this evening. I love that vildwerk. aspires to be the first organization to invite choreographers and composers to hold hand in hand with conservationists and environmentalists. What can be better than making art with the power of making real change.” 

Christopher Wheeldon and Chiara Gorodesky || Photo by PMC

Other speakers included Chief Conservation Officer of Re:Wild Russell Mittermeier, senior scientist at Turtle Conservancy James Juvik, and ‘Consul General of Mexico in New York’ Jorge Islas Lopez.

The evening performances began with pianist and co-artistic director of Inspire –Chorus for Unity Amber Salladin accompanied by a group of talented, young performers—keyboardist Anton Figueroa, trained dancer Cassandra Longville, and 7 gifted vocalists from Inspire –Chorus for Unity. Longville performed a piece choreographed by former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater star Briana Reed. 

Cassandra Longville and members of Inspire Chorus for Unity || Photo by Hisae Aihara

Bowery Hotel owner and Turtle Conservancy Founder Eric Goode sent in a video describing his excitement in supporting vildwerk. and introduced the first ever piece created for the organization—”Golden Tortoise.” The piece was choreographed by Joshua Beamish and performed by Mara Galeazzi, with music by Felipe Perez Santiago.

 The gala also featured performances by cellists of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dorothea Figueroa and Rafael Figueroa; joined later on the piano by Salladin.

Dorothea Figueroa and Rafael Figueroa || Photo by Hisae Aihara

Guests included Jacqulyn Buglisi, Kurt Froman, Michèle Gerber Klein, Terri Gold, Jeff and Danielle Hirsch, Jana Jaffe, Liane Pei, Debra Pickrel, and Carlos dos Santos.

The gala was a night filled with blissful entertainment for an inspiring cause. Gorodesky stated that vildwerk. is only the start of something we must all get involved in— preserving the beauty of our planet. Organizations such as vildwerk. need the support of others to truly make change. To be a part of this change, visit vildwerk. online and follow their social channels to keep up with their season and initiatives.