Stars Celebrate the Dizzy Feet Foundation 6th Annual ‘Celebration of Dance’ Gala

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 11, 2016 – The Dizzy Feet Foundation (DFF) presented the sixth annual ‘Celebration of Dance’ Gala at The Novo last night in Los Angeles. Julianne Hough, Derek Hough, Maddie Ziegler, Paula Abdul, Joely Fisher, Elizabeth Berkely, Mitzi Gaynor, Sir Matthew Bourne, Allison Holker, Piper Perabo and Kevin Zegers were among the celebrities that came to support DFF, a non-profit organization founded by Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance)and director Adam Shankman(Hairspray, Rock of Ages), whose mission is to sponsor, fund and/or support access to and the quality of dance education programs that expose children in low-income areas to the lifelong benefits of dance education in the United States.

This year’s DFF Inspiration Award was presented Derek & Julianne Hough. The DFF Inspiration Award is presented to an individual whose dance prowess, talent and gifts have delighted audiences and whose career in film, television and/or theater has left an indelible mark on the entertainment field.

Mitzi Gaynor received the DFF Legend Award. Paula Abdul presented this honor that is bestowed to artists who, through their lifelong accomplishments and exceptional career in dance, have made lasting contributions to dance and influenced the next generation of artists.

Sir Matthew Bourne received the Gene Kelly Legacy Award presented by DFF and Gene Kelly Legacy, Inc. Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly presented this award, which is given to an artist whose career achievements best represent the innovative vision, creativity, and lasting contribution that Gene Kelly made not only to the art of dance on film but to the world as a whole, as an educator and cultural ambassador.

Performers included Maddie Ziegler and Travis Wall, American Ballet Theater’s Marcelo Gomes & Arron Scott  as well as Sergei Polunin who performed his his solo to Take Me to Church. Additional standout performances included Tiler Peck, Syncopated Ladies, Dancers Inc., and the scholarship recipients from the USC Kaufman students, and California Dance Institute students.

  All proceeds benefited The Dizzy Feet Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is threefold: to sponsor, fund and/or support dance education programs that expose children in low-income areas to the lifelong benefits of dance education through and with local community organizations; to provide scholarships to talented students studying at accredited or nationally regarded dance schools, studios or institutions; and in conjunction with recognized credentialing organizations, to support and increase the quality of all styles of dance education in the United States.