Post by Diamond Girl on Jul 22, 2005 12:55:07 GMT -5
The Detroit Institute of Arts and Friends of African and African American Art Combined Motown Passion and Hollywood Glamour in Honor of Suzanne de Passe
Detroit, MI — The 42nd annual Bal Africain® recently took place at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Nearly 500 guests celebrated culture and community, while paying tribute to award-winning producer and media entrepreneur Suzanne de Passe for her contributions to culture and the arts.
“I am honored that the Detroit Institute of the Arts selected me for this outstanding recognition,” said de Passe, chairman and CEO of de Passe Entertainment. “Detroit holds a special place in my heart as the birthplace of Motown Records and my career. I am truly inspired by the work of the DIA and the Friends of African and African American Art as they share their passion for culture and community with the world.”
Initially a creative assistant to Berry Gordy, de Passe eventually became president of Motown Productions. Her credits include an Academy Award nomination for co-writing the screenplay “Lady Sings the Blues” and Emmy and NAACP Image Awards for executive-producing “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever,” and “Motown Returns to the Apollo.” She also served as producer for the highly acclaimed miniseries “Lonesome Dove” and the four-hour NBC miniseries “The Temptations.”
Gala chair Vivian Pickard, director of corporate relations at General Motors, thanked guests for making the event a success. “Pulling off an undertaking the size and scope of Bal takes the combined efforts of a talented group of individuals who are not only passionate about art and culture, but who also understand the paramount importance of keeping the arts alive and well in metro Detroit,” she said.
In recognition of de Passe’s passion, vibrancy, and electric energy, the theme for this year’s Bal Africain® was “de Passionné.” Festivities combined Hollywood glamour with the energy and verve of Motown. From the art and the afterglow to the food and fashion, emphasis was placed on evoking feelings of passion and glamour.
Guests also marveled at the works of art available during the silent auction. In keeping with the theme, they had opportunities to bid on items such as Georgette Jones’ “Little Red Book of Passion,” Senghor Reid’s “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” and Lorraine Tyler’s “A Summer Passion.”
The lower level of the Detroit Institute of Arts was transformed into Club de Passionné for the afterglow. Musical entertainment, which was provided by Jimmy McKee and the Upstetters Band and Revue, was performed in a jazz nightclub setting. Guests strolled down the Motown Walk of Fame, viewed Motown memorabilia, and danced to the music of Motown artists, including the Jackson Five, the Temptations, and Marvin Gaye.
One of metropolitan Detroit’s premiere arts fundraisers, Bal Africain® is a one-of-a-kind evening of art, fine dining, and dancing. Revenue generated from Bal is used by the Friends of African and African American Art to sponsor lectures, fund educational programs, and acquire works of art for the DIA’s African, African American, and Haitian collections. Past honorees have included journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault and entertainers Diahann Carroll and Sidney Poitier.
Event supporters included platinum sponsors Ford Motor Company and General Motors and gold sponsors GMAC Financial Services and Neiman Marcus.
For more information, call (313) 833-1049 or visit www.dia.org.
Programs are made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Detroit.
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The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the premier art museums in the United States, is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932–33), the DIA's collection is known for its quality, range, and depth.
Currently, the DIA is presenting a dynamic schedule of programs and activities for all ages, even as the museum’s building is undergoing a major renovation. Visitors can enjoy some of the DIA’s “greatest hits” while the museum prepares for an entirely new installation when renovations are completed in late 2007.
Detroit, MI — The 42nd annual Bal Africain® recently took place at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Nearly 500 guests celebrated culture and community, while paying tribute to award-winning producer and media entrepreneur Suzanne de Passe for her contributions to culture and the arts.
“I am honored that the Detroit Institute of the Arts selected me for this outstanding recognition,” said de Passe, chairman and CEO of de Passe Entertainment. “Detroit holds a special place in my heart as the birthplace of Motown Records and my career. I am truly inspired by the work of the DIA and the Friends of African and African American Art as they share their passion for culture and community with the world.”
Initially a creative assistant to Berry Gordy, de Passe eventually became president of Motown Productions. Her credits include an Academy Award nomination for co-writing the screenplay “Lady Sings the Blues” and Emmy and NAACP Image Awards for executive-producing “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever,” and “Motown Returns to the Apollo.” She also served as producer for the highly acclaimed miniseries “Lonesome Dove” and the four-hour NBC miniseries “The Temptations.”
Gala chair Vivian Pickard, director of corporate relations at General Motors, thanked guests for making the event a success. “Pulling off an undertaking the size and scope of Bal takes the combined efforts of a talented group of individuals who are not only passionate about art and culture, but who also understand the paramount importance of keeping the arts alive and well in metro Detroit,” she said.
In recognition of de Passe’s passion, vibrancy, and electric energy, the theme for this year’s Bal Africain® was “de Passionné.” Festivities combined Hollywood glamour with the energy and verve of Motown. From the art and the afterglow to the food and fashion, emphasis was placed on evoking feelings of passion and glamour.
Guests also marveled at the works of art available during the silent auction. In keeping with the theme, they had opportunities to bid on items such as Georgette Jones’ “Little Red Book of Passion,” Senghor Reid’s “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” and Lorraine Tyler’s “A Summer Passion.”
The lower level of the Detroit Institute of Arts was transformed into Club de Passionné for the afterglow. Musical entertainment, which was provided by Jimmy McKee and the Upstetters Band and Revue, was performed in a jazz nightclub setting. Guests strolled down the Motown Walk of Fame, viewed Motown memorabilia, and danced to the music of Motown artists, including the Jackson Five, the Temptations, and Marvin Gaye.
One of metropolitan Detroit’s premiere arts fundraisers, Bal Africain® is a one-of-a-kind evening of art, fine dining, and dancing. Revenue generated from Bal is used by the Friends of African and African American Art to sponsor lectures, fund educational programs, and acquire works of art for the DIA’s African, African American, and Haitian collections. Past honorees have included journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault and entertainers Diahann Carroll and Sidney Poitier.
Event supporters included platinum sponsors Ford Motor Company and General Motors and gold sponsors GMAC Financial Services and Neiman Marcus.
For more information, call (313) 833-1049 or visit www.dia.org.
Programs are made possible with support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Detroit.
*************************************************
The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the premier art museums in the United States, is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932–33), the DIA's collection is known for its quality, range, and depth.
Currently, the DIA is presenting a dynamic schedule of programs and activities for all ages, even as the museum’s building is undergoing a major renovation. Visitors can enjoy some of the DIA’s “greatest hits” while the museum prepares for an entirely new installation when renovations are completed in late 2007.
