As Chibueze Crouch '14 and aerial artists from the innovative vertical dance company Bandaloop descended elegantly from the rafters of Commons, Yale a cappella group Shades of Yale performed “Following Fears” and "God Is Joy." These artistic feats featuring Yale alumni and current students set the tone for an event of appreciation and celebration on Saturday, November 5, honoring Stephen A. Schwarzman ’69 for his pathbreaking $162.8 million gift toward the renovation and re-envisioning of Yale Schwarzman Center (YSC) and a broad community of students, faculty, alumni, donors, staff, and New Haven community leaders who have been integral to the Center’s launch. Nearly 330 invited guests were in attendance including more than 60 student artists and student performers who activated every YSC space with their talent and work that evening.
“The event provided an opportunity to express appreciation to Mr. Schwarzman and all who have made the Schwarzman Center possible,” said Yale President Peter Salovey. “It also was a celebration of education and the arts, in keeping with Schwarzman Center’s promise to provide a creative and inspiring space for students, alumni, and artists to explore boundary-breaking work and performances.”
The evening featured many student-led groups with performances by the Whiffenpoofs, the Yale Gospel Choir, the Yale Jazz All-Stars, and YSC artist-in-residence and renowned tap dancer Dormeshia accompanied by Taps at Yale, whose members range from first years to graduate students. “Desire Lines,” a student exhibition blurring the lines between space and urban planning, was featured in the Presidents’ Gallery while Professor Ben Verdery led Ulysses Quartet in performing “Quintet for High Strings” by YSC artist-in-residence Bryce Dessner’s ’98 ’99MM in The Dome.