Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2011 will officially commence with a star-studded Season Opening Gala performance and celebration on June 18 at 6pm at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts.

A dance photography exhibit by Annie Leibovitz, created especially for the Pillow, will be on display in an exclusive preview. The evening features the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève performing Benjamin Millepied’s duet Closer, and a world premiere by Houston Ballet artistic director Stanton Welch performed by dancers of The School at Jacob’s Pillow Ballet Program. Also on the program are David Neumann, Keigwin + Company, the Mark Morris Dance Group, and a solo performance by pianist and composer Philip Glass.

The gala performance will be followed by dinner, a live auction, and dancing. The 2011 Gala co-chairs are Jacob’s Pillow board member Hunter K. Runnette, Dr. Mark P. VandenBosch, Dan Schulman, and Jennie Kassanoff. Millepied, a New York City Ballet principal dancer and choreographer of the film Black Swan, will serve as honorary co-chair.

Gala sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals and businesses. Tables of 10 are available at several different levels of sponsorship from $3,500 to $10,000. Gala single tickets are available at $375, $575, and $775. For more information on tickets or tables, contact Gwen Franklin at 413.243.9919 x125. For more information, visit www.jacobspillow.org.

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