A great crowd turned out to celebrate the American Academy in Rome’s 2010 Cabaret, curated by Academy Trustees Laurie Anderson, RAAR’06, and Laurie Simmons, RAAR’05. The spectacular three hour program, which included videos and live performances by a remarkable group of Academy alumni and friends, was the perfect tribute to the Rome Prize experience - one of complete intellectual and artistic freedom and interdisciplinary exchange and innovation. Fellows, Residents, Trustees and friends of the Academy spanning several generations and from a wide range of disciplines came together at the Angel Orensanz Foundation to witness the stunning line-up, meet up with old and new friends, and reminisce about their time in Rome.
The evening kicked off with stunning videos including FAAR’08 Kate Gilmore’s, Blood from a Stone, FAAR’09 Marie Lorenz’s Capsize, FAAR’06 Carrie Mae Weems’ Italian Dreams, and the 2011 Joseph H. Hazen Rome Prize winner Karen Yasinksky’s You’d Better be Careful.
At 8:00pm, the stage came to life with astonishing performances by musician and composer Don Byron, FAAR’10, choreographer Molissa Fenley, FAAR’08, vocalist Lisa Bielawa, FAAR’10 and the ACME quartet, and artist John Kelly, FAAR’07, in collaboration with Carol Lipnik. Nico Muhly’s energetic piano performance was followed by a moving reading by Rosanna Warren, RAAR'01. Trustee Laurie Anderson, who was the inspiration for the Cabaret, displayed her virtuosity as a violinist and storyteller. The evening finished with a bang as FAAR’03 David Sanford’s big band, the Pittsburgh Collective, brought down the house.
Our sincere thanks to all of the artists who contributed to this fabulous event, and to those who attended. Thanks also to Beso de Vino and Pernod for supplying the beverages and to Madeline Weinrib Atelier for providing the lounge areas.
To view a slideshow of the event, click here.