BAM hosts The Alan Gala
On the evening of April 4 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Alan Fishman, chairman of the BAM board for the past 14 years, and a key part of BAM’s leadership for three decades, was celebrated by friends and colleagues at the Alan Gala. Hosted by Katy Clark, BAM president, and Joseph V. Melillo, BAM executive producer, the evening included a silent art auction, a dinner on the stage of the Howard Gilman Opera House and performances by some of Fishman’s favorite artists, including Helga Davis, the Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble, and Rufus Wainwright, with special guests Isabella Rosellini and Fiona Shaw. The audience also was treated to video tributes to Alan by other artists who have performed at BAM — and by Fishman’s family.
Fishman’s contributions to BAM are incalculable: During his tenure as chairman of the board, BAM expanded both its artistic and community impact. In addition, BAM enlarged its choice of venues, adding BAM Fisher, and soon-to-be added BAM Strong and BAM Karen. During this fertile period, BAM was not the only Brooklyn institution that benefited from Fishman’s energy and talent. He is the founding chairman of the Brooklyn Community Foundation and former chair of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. He also promoted the growing Brooklyn Cultural District and is a trustee of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, which he co-founded.