The Legacy Gala November 23, 2009

The last two of six Russian ballet dancers to famously defect from the U.S.S.R. to the United States in the 1960's and 70's - Valentina Kozlova and Leonid Kozlov, who sought political asylum on September 16, 1979 - will commemorate the 30th anniversary of their celebrated defection with a one-night-only dance performance. The 'Legacy Gala' will bring Ms. Kozlova and Mr. Kozlov to dance together for the first time in 15 years. In addition to Ms. Kozlova and Mr. Kozlov, there will be special performances by Wendy Whelan and Philip Neal of New York City Ballet, Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky of American Ballet Theatre, and Larisa Ponomarenko of Boston Ballet. Proceeds from the concert will benefit a new "Legacy" scholarship that provides professional training for aspiring ballet dancers to study renowned, classical Russian ballet techniques with Ms. Kozlova.