Astaire way to paradise

The Astaire Awards ceremony features and presents honors to choreographers and dancers from the worlds of film and theater. This year’s event, hosted by Alan Cumming, is scheduled for June 1, (7:30pm) at The Haft Auditorium, Fashion Institute of Technology (7th Avenue at West 27th Street, Manhattan).

Liza Minnelli will present a lifetime achievement award to film director and choreographer Stanley Donen (Singin’ In The Rain, On the Town). Other scheduled presenters include Savion Glover, Bebe Neuwirth and Geoffrey Rush.

Performances from nominated choreographers and dancers include “Electricity” from Billy Elliot and Martha Plimpton and cast performing “That Terrific Rainbow” from Pal Joey, as well as tribute performances to Clive Barnes and Stanley Donen. There will also be performances from select nominated films including “Bollywood Girl” and “Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire.

Nominees were selected by Sylviane Gold (Theater Columnist for Dance Magazine), Anna Kisselgoff (former Chief Dance Critic of The New York Times), Wendy Perron (Editor in Chief of Dance Magazine), Linda Winer (Chief Theater Critic of Newsday) and Damian Woetzel (Former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet). The producers of the 2009 Astaire Awards are Patricia Watt and Ron Glucksman.

BEST BROADWAY CHOREOGRAPHER NOMINEES

9 to 5: Andy Blankenbuehler
Hair: Karole Armitage
Billy Elliot: Peter Darling
Guys and Dolls: Sergio Trujillo
Pal Joey: Graciela Daniele

BEST FILM CHOREOGRAPHER NOMINEES

Mamma Mia: Anthony Van Laast
Slumdog Millionaire: Longines Fernandes
Center Stage Turn It Up: Aakomon “AJ” Jones
Make It Happen: Tracy Phillips
Fados: Patrick De Bana and Pedro Gomes
High School Musical 3: Kenny Ortega
Were the World Mine: Todd Underwood

BEST FEMALE DANCER NOMINEES

West Side Story: Karen Olivo
Rock Of Ages: Angel Reed, Katherine Tokarz, Savannah Wise
Guys and Dolls: Kearran Giovanni
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush: Pia Glenn

BEST MALE DANCER NOMINEES

Billy Elliot – role of Billy: David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish
Billy Elliot – role of Michael: David Bologna, Frank Dolce
White Christmas: Jeffry Denman
Pal Joey: Matthew Risch

Information and ticketing or 212-868-4444 or 877-238-5596