Dance to Wellness: A Star Studded and Spectacular Evening!

Debbie Allen Moves Audience With More Than Dance, and Legendary Singers, James Ingram and Freda Payne, Serenade Their Long-time Friend

Daoshing Ni, Larry Ryan, Freda Payne, Debbie Allen, James Ingram and Mao Shing Ni

The theme of the evening was “Dance to Wellness,” and that theme was carried through with considerable panache, as the energetic ensemble of 19 dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy took to the floor and impressed an enthusiastic audience of 125 Yo San University supporters at the Pacific Design Center (PDC) on Saturday May 18, 2013. With their flowing, gymnastic and emotionally metaphoric rendition of the “Earth Dance” the youthful troupe set the stage for the conferral of the Yo San University 2013 Robert Graham Visionary Award. The dancers epitomized the positive energy and healthy spirit cultivated by choreographer, producer and director, Debbie Allen. These young people represented the thousands of others who have been the benefactors of instruction at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, an institution which has facilitated the health and wellness of young Southern Californians for the past twelve years It was precisely that work in founding and developing the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and her dedicated advocacy to Traditional Chinese Medicine that motivated the Yo San University Board of Trustees to name Debbie Allen as the recipient of the 2013 Robert Graham Visionary Award.

"Earth Dance" by Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA) dancers

The gala evening opened with cocktails and hors’ dourves in Wolfgang Puck’s Spectra Room on the third level of the impressive PDC Blue Building, the original structure in a complex of five architecturally significant buildings that include a branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art, and which constitute the largest collection of interior design and art studios and showrooms in the country. As the Yo San University guests gathered, the iconic YSU logo provided the backdrop for “red carpet” photo ops with the variety of celebrities who came out to honor Debbie at the evening’s festivities.

Debbie Allen, Daoshing Ni and Brenda Strong

After a delicious buffet dinner, Yo San University President, Dr. Larry Ryan, opened the program by welcoming and thanking all in attendance for their support of Yo San University and its mission to educate exceptional TCM healers/practitioners and for the enormous difference that the University makes with its Community Clinic and outreach services that provide more than 21,000 treatments each year. Ryan introduced the evening’s mistress of ceremonies, television star, Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives, Dallas) whose warmth, personality and humor extended further welcome to all. Yo San University Founder Dr. Daoshing Ni highlighted the history of the Robert Graham Visionary Award, which is named for the late artist and sculptor, Board Member and University supporter, who was also the late spouse of actress Anjelica Huston. Prior award winners have included, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Sela Ward, and Robert Downey, Jr.

Debbie Allen urged the members of audience to "follow your passions."

Just before conferring the 2013 Robert Graham Visionary Award, University Co-Founder Dr. Mao Shing Ni recounted the numerous accomplishments of Debbie Allen ‘s impressive professional and philanthropic careers. Allen has risen to the top in the arts and performing, producing and directing communities, and has simultaneously given back generously to the greater community to promote the health and wellness of others. As Dr. Mao stated in his conferral of the award, “Debbie Allen is the epitome of what the Robert Graham Visionary Award is about.” In her acceptance address, Debbie Allen was gracious, eloquent and impassioned. She humorously recalled her first encounters with Traditional Chinese Medicine during an episode of sciatica, which left the famous dancer completely immobilized. When she experienced quick relief from the insertion of the shinny steel acupuncture needles, Allen remembered that she stated “I’ll gladly wear those as jewelry!” Allen gratefully reflected on her husband, former Laker and Clippers hoopster, Norm Nixon, her own children and her extended family of the thousands of dancers for who she has served as an instructor and role model. As she expressed appreciation for the award, Debbie Allen urged the members of audience to "follow your passions." A well deserved standing ovation honored the star, the TCM advocate and the person—Debbie Allen. Immediately after the conferral of the award, legendary singer James Ingram serenaded Debbie with an the smooth tones of his hit song, Find One Hundred Ways. The awed audience again rose to their feet in honor of both Allen and Ingram.

James Ingrams sure knows more than One Hundred Ways to dance!

As the program progressed, Emcee, Brenda Strong appealed to the audience to support the Yo San University cause by bidding on the four unique auction items, which included a Goodyear Blimp adventure, a private basketball lesson with veteran NBA start Norm Nixon, a directorial shadowing experience with Debbie Allen and a unique bronze “Freedom” sculpture by Danielle Anjou. The audience was most generous, and each item sold quickly to discerning bidders. At the end of the basketball lesson auction, Norm Nixon rose to his feet and whispered in the ear of auctioneer Brenda Strong. Brenda revealed that Nixon would provide four private lessons for each of the bidding parties thus increasing the funds generated to support the outreach services of Yo San University.

Norm Nixon rose to his feet and whispered in the ear of auctioneer Brenda Strong...

The energy and professionalism that Freda Payne invests in the art of singing proved to be infectious.

With the auction completed and dessert being served, the sensational Freda Payne took the stage and performed a set of songs. Among the numbers rendered by Freda were the powerful and deeply emotional Here’s to Life as well as her spirited and feisty two million record seller, Band of Gold. Freda’s numbers were punctuated by stories she told of the first time that she saw Debbie Allen perform as a chorus line dancer in a New York Broadway production many years ago. Freda shared that she knew that this young women who so eloquently manifested the language of dance in her performance would surely be a success. How right Freda Payne was! The energy and professionalism that Freda Payne invests in the art of singing proved to be infectious. By the time Payne finished her set, the entire room was swaying and clapping to the familiar melodies that emanated from deep in the performer’s soul. Without a doubt the 2013 Yo San University Robert Graham Visionary Award gala was a most entertaining and inspiring event.

“Freedom” sculpture by Danielle Anjou

Special Thanks to Yo San University Student Volunteers