The BEVERLY BLOSSOM MEMORIAL GALA on November 1 is a tribute with guest stars from around the country to the late “doyenne of robust eccentricity” on the very anniversary of her passing. A kaleidoscope of Blossom’s best work is shown on this exciting program. Renowned solo artists Douglas Nielsen and Betsy Fisher will perform Losing You and Blossom’s signature solo Dad’s Ties respectively. A group of dancers from the University of Illinois will perform her group work Brides. Ella & Mark Magruder, former company members of Beverly Blossom, dance her earliest work Black Traveler as well as the gender-bending Besame Mucho and the poignant Last Bow. Henning Rübsam recreates Shards, a poetic solo Blossom first performed in homage to her late mentor Alwin Nikolais. Former fellow Nikolais dancer Christine Reisner will join Rübsam in Fan Dance which they both danced when members of Blossom’s company.

For your information, please find Blossom’s obituary by Jennifer Dunning for the NYTimes.