Song, Dance, Spoken Word
The Great Hall exploded with music, dance, and even comedy on Saturday, March 18 as part of a program honoring Women’s History Month. The event was part of the Gardiner Foundation Great Hall Forum series and featured ballet dancer Tiler Peck, modern dancer Tendayi Kuumba of Urban Bush Women, and American tap dancer Dormeshia, as well as musical performances by Grammy Award-winners Melissa Manchester and Lisa Fischer along with newcomer Kara Jackson and Broadway star Melissa Errico. Alice Wetterlund, a 2003 School of Art alumna, who returned to the Great Hall stage for the first time since her graduation, delivered a hysterical yet pointed, politically-charged standup comedy set tackling current women's rights issues.
Earlier in the day, the Great Hall hosted a conversation with Gloria Steinem and Salamishah Tillet reflecting on the state of women's rights and empowerment in America today. View the gallery of photos from the afternoon event.
The program was sponsored by the Ciafone and Argento Family and Debby & Scott Rechler / Rechler Philanthropy.
Photos by Marget Long
President Laura Sparks welcome
New York City Ballet principal ballet dancer Tiler Peck takes a bow following her solo dance to George Gershwin's "Fascinating Rhythm"
Alice Wetterlund, a 2003 School of Art alumna whom New York Magazine’s Vulture calls fearless, returned to the Great Hall stage for the first time since her graduation to deliver a blistering standup comedy set
Urban Bush Women's Tendayi Kuumba dances "Give Your Hands to Struggle," a piece choreographed by company founder Jawole Willa Jo Zollar
Broadway star Melissa Errico peeks out onto stage before her performance
Jazz pianist Billy Stritch is joined by members of Grand Baton to accompany Melissa Errico
Grand Baton guitarist JC Mallard and Melissa Errico perform a duet
Billy Stritch
Grammy Award-winner Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester takes a bow
American tap dancer Dormeshia took to the pit to perform with an accompanist on Balafon
American tap dancer Dormeshia performs
Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton take the stage for the finale
American singer and songwriter Lisa Fischer's vocal gymnastics brought the Great Hall to its feet
Lisa Fischer and her band Grand Baton take a bow
The windows of the colonnade of the Foundation Building commemorated the many celebrated and accomplished women who spoke at the Great Hall or alumnae of The Cooper Union.