On Monday, March 30, 2015, Ballet Hispanico proudly honors Milena Alberti-Pérez & David Pérez with the Civic Inspiration Award and Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas with the Nuestra Inspiración Award at its annual Spring Gala in The Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, 768 Fifth Avenue, NYC. Cocktails begin at 6:30pm and dinner and dancing commence at 7:30pm. Attire is festive black tie. To purchase tickets, a table, a journal advertisement, or for more information, please contact Jessica Falco at (212) 362-6710, x46 or jfalco@ballethispanico.org.

Ballet Hispanico’s 2015 Spring Gala will salute three extraordinary individuals who have given voice to their Latino culture and the importance of Ballet Hispanico’s work through the corporations they serve. Ballet Hispanico Board President and President and COO of Palladium Equity Partners David Pérez and Milena Alberti-Pérez, SVP and Head of Global Corporate Finance at Penguin Random House, will receive the Civic Inspiration Award for their thirteen years of leadership and dedication to Ballet Hispanico.  Chair of Ballet Hispanico’s Leadership Council Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas will receive the Nuestra Inspiración Award for his unwavering advocacy for New York City’s arts community and for his efforts as program director for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.  This year’s Gala also celebrates “Puentes,” Ballet Hispanico’s education programs, and features live salsa music by Grupo Irék along with performances by the Ballet Hispanico Company and students of the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance and P.S. 87M. 

 “We are thrilled to recognize our visionary honorees,” said Kate Lear, Chair of Ballet Hispanico’s Board of Directors.  “We celebrate the inspired leadership of David Pérez and Milena Alberti-Pérez, whose enthusiasm for and belief in Ballet Hispanico’s mission has been a driving force behind the organization over many years.  We are equally elated to honor the exceptional efforts of Ben Rodriguez Cubeñas, who is a great friend and extraordinary advocate on behalf of Ballet Hispanico.” 

The event is headed by Event Chairs Jody & John Arnhold, Kate Lear & Jon LaPook, Marcos A. Rodriguez, and Greidys Gil & Luis Zaldivar, along with Event Vice Chairs Herb Scannell and

Charles Wortman & Laura Baldwin.  The Gala Honorary Committee is chaired by Ford Foundation President Darren Walker. Proceeds, which last year totaled just over $1M, benefit the creation of new Company works, need-based financial aid and merit scholarships in the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, and community arts education programs.