"I Choose Yes": PUNTO Space and Group .BR Celebration Fundraiser Gala and Arts Initiative

NEW YORK - Oct. 24, 2016 - PRLog -- On October 6, 2016, PUNTO Space sponsored the "I Choose Yes" Group .BR fundraiser and gala in preparation of the November 3 premiere of Inside the Wild Heart, a site-specific, fully immersive and participatory original work and theater experience based on the life of Brazilian Jewish author Clarise Lispector. "I Choose Yes" was created by Andressa Furletti and Debora Balardini, who are the founders of Group .BR, and marked the theater company's five-year anniversary with the gala and celebration of Lispector. As New York's only Brazilian theater company, Group.BR and "I Choose Yes" attracted culture, theater, and arts supporters.

As both a PUNTO co-founder and a Group .BR founder, Balardini was instrumental in conceptualizing a memorable event with both teams. PUNTO's founding team has been cultivating a growing interest in supporting and sponsoring arts programming since its launch in 2014. With PUNTO as the current resident and home to award-winning group Nettles Artists Collective (NAC), the gala seemed an ideal fit under PUNTO Arts, an initiative developed to delve deeper into supporting the arts and arts programming.

Balardini states, "As performing artists ourselves, PUNTO co-founders take art very seriously. When we launched PUNTO, it was always with the idea in mind that we would create a harbor for our artistic community; it just fits our mission from the beginning. The auction, dinner, and after-party, for Group .BR, was a true collaboration between Group .BR and PUNTO."

During "I Choose Yes," premium ticket holders were guided into an interactive closed-door teaser installation, complete with live violin by Mario Forte and a performance that was inspired by Lispector's search for words to represent her feelings and inner thoughts about life. Actors Goncalo Ruivo and Patricia Faolli lived out "Invention of Reality," one of the scenes from Inside the Wild Heart. Renowned Brazilian artist Marcia Grostein was honored for her work as an artist in the Brazilian community, and Katrina Dodson, winner of the 2016 PEN Translation Prize, was honored for her translation of Lispector's short stories. Guests had the opportunity to bid on art pieces from Brazilian and American artists. Guests were also privy to a live auction during the event to purchase original artwork by artists that included Marcia Grostein, Joao Henrique Brandao, Robert Wilson, Mariana Valente, and Paulo Golvea. They enjoyed a private chef experience as well.

Once the multi-media show, directed by Regina Miranda, officially launches in November, guests will be encouraged to walk from room to room and experience interactive visual art, film, music, installations and physical theater that represent the heart and soul of Lispector, who has been called the most influential Jewish writer since Franz Kafka.

About PUNTO Space (http://puntospace.com/):

Founded in 2014 by Debora Balardini, Duke York and Sandie Luna, PUNTO is a three-level raw space for events, performances, weddings and art happenings located in NYC's Fashion and Theater District. With its contemporary storefront feature, over 3,500 square feet of space and over 4,000 square feet of clean, white walls, PUNTO transforms with each performance, gala or corporate or private event. It has held events for names that include Bella Magazine/Kristin Cavallari, Anheuser-Busch, Double Verify, Uptown Fashion Week, xAd and Uzo Aduba. The venue regularly hosts events under the PUNTO Inspires and PUNTO Gives Back initiatives, both of which focus on a mission to support philanthropic causes aligned with its values.

ABOUT GROUP .BR (www.group.br.com)

Group .BR is NY's only Brazilian theater company. Its mission is to present Brazilian culture through the performing arts in New York City. Founded by Andressa Furletti, Debora Balardini and Thiago Felix in 2011, Group .BR has become known for its public readings, Brazilian cultural events and fully produced theater performances and continues to serve as the voice of Brazilian culture beyond stereotypes. To date, the company has produced A Serpente by Brazil's most well known and controversial dramaturge, Nelson Rodrigues, which granted the team a Brazilian International Press Award nomination. Infinite While It Lasts (2013 and 2014), Group .BR's first devised work, based on the life and work of Brazilian poet and composer Vinicius de Moraes, landed the company nominations for an Innovative Theater Award and its second nomination for a Brazilian International Press Award.