2012 Wolf Trap Ball Honors Terre Jones, 9/15

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announces the 2012 Wolf Trap Ball, the organization's largest annual fundraising event, set to commence Saturday, September 15 on the Filene Center stage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. This year's special event celebrates Terre Jones, Wolf Trap President and CEO, who throughout his tenure has positioned the organization as a premier center for the integration of performing arts, education, technology, and environmental sustainability. Jones will retire in December, following 17 years of service leading the not for profit arts and education organization.

As is tradition, this unique event takes place on the Filene Center stage, one of the largest performance spaces in the country. Spanning more than 27,000 square feet, the performance space will be transformed for the event with extensive custom designed sets and lighting to highlight the unique elements of Wolf Trap, as well as Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jones's beloved retirement destination and second home for several years. Close to 1,000 members of the business, cultural, social, and political community will gather to celebrate Terre and Wolf Trap's renowned education and arts programs.

Notable guests attending include:

The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, Wolf Trap Foundation Board Emeritus, as well as former Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush and former Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton; His Excellency Dr. Dino Patti Djalal of Indonesia; His Excellency Mr. Datuk Othman Hashim of Malaysia; His Excellency Mr. Ashok Kumar Mirpuri of Singapore; His Excellency Mr. Elin Suleymanov of Azerbaijan; Mr. Luca Franchetti Pardo, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of Italy; Ms. Emma Crimmings, Director of Cultural Affairs for the Embassy of Australia; Noel Paul Stookey, distinguished member of the iconic folk group Peter, Paul & Mary; and Cathy Rigby, renowned gymnast and actress made famous by her timeless portrayal of Peter Pan.

Wolf Trap extends a warm welcome for distinguished guests to celebrate Jones's 40-plus-year career in the performing arts, and his successful continuance in the legacy of Wolf Trap's founder, Catherine Filene Shouse. A central focus for Jones during his time at Wolf Trap has been his commitment to fostering the creation of innovative new works, resulting in 74 new commissions since joining the Foundation in 1996. Under his leadership the Foundation has achieved record-breaking attendance for performances and the expansion of Wolf Trap Education programs, most recently with the launch of Wolf Trap's Early Childhood STEM Learning Through the Arts program in 2010. Additionally, in 2007 Jones launched the Foundation's "Go Green" program to make Wolf Trap a carbon neutral organization.

The Wolf Trap Ball is co-chaired by Wolf Trap Foundation Board Member Alan J. Kelly, President, ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Company; and Wolf Trap Associates Board Member Boofie O'Gorman of Long & Foster.

"It's a unique honor to co-chair the Wolf Trap Ball and play such an integral role in celebrating the accomplishments, vision, and leadership of Terre Jones," said Kelly. "The annual Wolf Trap Ball is such an anticipatory event for the D.C. metro area community, and we are eternally grateful for the tremendous support from our sponsors and attendees who make it possible for Wolf Trap's critical arts and education programs to thrive year after year."

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