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ARMENIAN HERITAGE, MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATED AT BALLET LUNCHEON
HomeTownLife
http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120510/NEWS06/205100566/Armenian-heritage-Mother-s-Day-celebrated-ballet-luncheon?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CRoyal%20O ak%7Cs
May 10 2012
It was a two-for-one day for attendees of a special Mother's Day event
in Farmington Hills on Saturday - they celebrated their mothers and
they celebrated their Armenian heritage.
The Armenian Relief Society's Sybille Chapter held its annual Mother's
Day luncheon at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills and treated
guests to a special performance by the Detroit Ballet Company.
Anne Berger enjoyed the afternoon with daughter Amanda, 16, and her
mother, Rose Maloian, all of Livonia.
"I've been involved in the Armenian community my entire life and my
mother, and my mother's mother have been in this organization (for
years)," she said. "It's a great opportunity to take my mom out and
celebrate Mother's Day with her friends and also to celebrate our
Armenian heritage."
The Armenian Relief Society is a 102-year-old international nonprofit,
nongovernmental, humanitarian society whose mission is to aid and
educate Armenian people and preserve the Armenian heritage, said Rita
Dilanian, chair of the chapter's executive committee.
The luncheon is a major fundraiser for the chapter.
"By your support today, at our only major fundraising event, you have
allowed the chapter to continue to be of aid, not only the Armenian
people, but those who have gone through tragic times," she said to
the sold-out crowd. "We have continued to send funds to the American
Red Cross, especially at times when there has been overwhelming need,
as well as sponsored many blood drives for the Red Cross."
Philanthropic efforts also include college scholarships, assistance
to a children's home in Armenia and support for residents at a senior
living community in Dearborn.
"We, of course, continue to support many of the societies, national
and international projects, by sending young people to camps and
encouraging students to apply for scholarships offered at the national
regional level," said Dilanian.
A special treat
The luncheon featured a performance of Act II of Swan Lake and Mazurka
from Masquerade, by the Detroit Ballet Company under the direction
of Eric Johnston.
Director of the Betty Johnston Dance Studio and Birmingham Dance
Academy, Johnston has been involved in all aspects of classical
ballet throughout his long career - as a dancer, choreographer,
producer, director and educator. He has produced performances in
the U.S., England and Mexico. Locally, he has produced and directed
The Wassail Feast at the Detroit Institute of Arts since 1999, and
numerous local festivals.
For the past 25 years, he has lectured and taught at Detroit, Pontiac,
Farmington and Birmingham public schools and at numerous colleges. In
1993, he received Farmington Area Arts Commission Artist in Residence
Award, and received a mayoral tribute from the City of Novi.
HomeTownLife
http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120510/NEWS06/205100566/Armenian-heritage-Mother-s-Day-celebrated-ballet-luncheon?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CRoyal%20O ak%7Cs
May 10 2012
It was a two-for-one day for attendees of a special Mother's Day event
in Farmington Hills on Saturday - they celebrated their mothers and
they celebrated their Armenian heritage.
The Armenian Relief Society's Sybille Chapter held its annual Mother's
Day luncheon at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills and treated
guests to a special performance by the Detroit Ballet Company.
Anne Berger enjoyed the afternoon with daughter Amanda, 16, and her
mother, Rose Maloian, all of Livonia.
"I've been involved in the Armenian community my entire life and my
mother, and my mother's mother have been in this organization (for
years)," she said. "It's a great opportunity to take my mom out and
celebrate Mother's Day with her friends and also to celebrate our
Armenian heritage."
The Armenian Relief Society is a 102-year-old international nonprofit,
nongovernmental, humanitarian society whose mission is to aid and
educate Armenian people and preserve the Armenian heritage, said Rita
Dilanian, chair of the chapter's executive committee.
The luncheon is a major fundraiser for the chapter.
"By your support today, at our only major fundraising event, you have
allowed the chapter to continue to be of aid, not only the Armenian
people, but those who have gone through tragic times," she said to
the sold-out crowd. "We have continued to send funds to the American
Red Cross, especially at times when there has been overwhelming need,
as well as sponsored many blood drives for the Red Cross."
Philanthropic efforts also include college scholarships, assistance
to a children's home in Armenia and support for residents at a senior
living community in Dearborn.
"We, of course, continue to support many of the societies, national
and international projects, by sending young people to camps and
encouraging students to apply for scholarships offered at the national
regional level," said Dilanian.
A special treat
The luncheon featured a performance of Act II of Swan Lake and Mazurka
from Masquerade, by the Detroit Ballet Company under the direction
of Eric Johnston.
Director of the Betty Johnston Dance Studio and Birmingham Dance
Academy, Johnston has been involved in all aspects of classical
ballet throughout his long career - as a dancer, choreographer,
producer, director and educator. He has produced performances in
the U.S., England and Mexico. Locally, he has produced and directed
The Wassail Feast at the Detroit Institute of Arts since 1999, and
numerous local festivals.
For the past 25 years, he has lectured and taught at Detroit, Pontiac,
Farmington and Birmingham public schools and at numerous colleges. In
1993, he received Farmington Area Arts Commission Artist in Residence
Award, and received a mayoral tribute from the City of Novi.