NEW YORK – Great Performances, New York's largest full-service catering and event planning company with a unique presence in the contract foodservice arena, has been selected by the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) as the cultural center’s exclusive caterer and foodservice provider. Great Performances will be responsible for all aspects of foodservice including the management and supervision of BAMcafé, concessions, lounges, catering, external events, and staffing, ensuring consistency throughout the institution. The contract is effective immediately.

Conceived and established by Liz Neumark in 1979 as a staffing organization, Great Performances provided women in the visual and performing arts the ability to work in the catering industry as waitresses while pursuing other goals. Today, as a result of more than a decade worth of work, Great Performances is the approved caterer at all of New York's leading cultural institutions. Great Performances has exclusive or contractual relationships with the Asia Society Museum, Central Park Wildlife Conservation Society, Big Apple Circus, Sports venues at Chelsea Piers, Ellis Island, The Show Piers, Ian Schrager's Hudson Hotel, MoMA QNS, Staten Island Yankees, and Wave Hill. Recent achievements include the wedding of the Honorable Rudy Giuliani and Judith Nathan at Gracie Mansion, the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations, the Warner Music Grammy Party, the World Premiere of La Boheme and the Mayor Bloomberg inaugural event.

“We are excited to be given an opportunity to work so closely with BAM. This relationship is not brand new. Over the years we've worked together many times. As a company, Great Performances strives to remain innovative and creative about the services we offer. As a performing arts venue, BAM's cutting edge vision is legendary. Thinking out of the box comes naturally to them as it does to us. That's why we believe this partnership is a great fit,” said Liz Neumark, President of Great Performances.

"We are thrilled to have Great Performances on board at BAM. In addition to being old friends, they are an extraordinarily talented and savvy organization. Most significantly, because of their experience with New York cultural institutions, they understand BAM's unique identity in the arts and culture landscape. We are looking forward to a wonderful partnership," stated Karen Brooks Hopkins, President of BAM.

By infusing Soul Food and Asian inspired dishes in the BAMcafe menu, Great Performances will achieve a combination of tastes ranging from the simplistic to the exotic – a little something for every palate. Menu items will be changed seasonally. For the fall, appetizers will include a Chicken, Beef or Vegetarian Satay Sampler with Jerk and Honey Curry Sauces. For casual fare, try the Teriyaki Chicken Philly, Lobster Club or Flank Steak Sandwiches. Special entrees may include an Ahi Tuna with Lemon Ginger Risotto or Asian Spare Ribs with Fried Cabbage.

With physical and emotional culinary comfort as the essential ingredient, Great Performances makes the lounge and patisserie bar at BAMcafe a destination in itself -- complementing the vitality of the live performances on the weekends as well as the animated post-film conversations of avid BAM cinematek fans. A barista station will offer a full array of spirits, cognacs, beer, wine and specialty drinks in addition to lattes, espresso, loose-leaf teas and a selection of patisseries, grilled Paninis, and sweet or savory crepes.

Great Performances
Great Performances offers the finest event planning and catering at their exclusive venues as well as off-premise locations. From site location to menu selection, the company offers a wide range of services from event management to creative food preparation. With an Executive Chef devoted to American Modern food, each plate is fused with the brilliant flavors of international cuisine. Great Performances places a strong emphasis on high-quality foods and innovative presentation and their team of event and culinary professionals bring a new level of experience and creativity to every production.

Great Performances is also known for its portfolio of contractual partnerships, which provide a wide range of locations exemplifying the high caliber of food that is associated with a high-end off-premise caterer. From the hotel industry to cultural institutions to the corporate marketplace, Great Performances offers a credible choice to customers who are looking for an alternative to giant foodservice providers.
Celebrated as the industry leader in taste and presentation, Great Performances offers a team of culinary experts whose creative flexibility allows for catered events large and small, from formal corporate galas to casual in-office get-togethers as well as outdoor and sporting related gatherings.

Great Performances operates several cafes for its cultural institution clients ranging from the Garden Court at the Asia Society and Museum to the Café at Wave Hill, The Café at MoMA, QNS, and the wine bar at the Frick to name a few.

Great Performances operates a 17, 000 square foot facility located at 287 Spring Street in Hudson Square which includes state-of-the-art kitchens, catering and operations offices, client tasting rooms and warehouses. Mae Mae Café, a forty-seat enoteca di vino owned and operated by the company is adjacent to the offices. The company has the largest on-call wait staff in New York City and prides itself on its training seminars and staff Scholarship program.

Dedicated to outstanding events and memorable experiences, Great Performances weaves fine food and genuine service into modern and distinctive celebrations. For more information please visit www.greatperformances.com.

Brooklyn Academy of Music
The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is recognized internationally for its innovative programming of dance, music, theater, music theater and opera. In addition to presenting leading national and international artists, BAM identifies and supports the work of ground-breaking, contemporary artists in the performing arts with its Next Wave Festival, founded in 1983, one of the world's most important festivals of contemporary performing arts.

In 1998, BAM expanded its programming and facilities with the creation of BAM Rose Cinemas, a four-screen movie theater offering independent, first-run films and BAMcinematek, a daily repertory program of classics, special festivals, and retrospectives, often accompanied by guest speakers.

BAM also serves New York City's diverse population through a wide variety of educational programs. BAM, America's oldest performing arts center in continuous operation, has presented performances since 1861. Harvey Lichtenstein stepped down after a 32-year tenure in July 1999, and two long-time BAM executives—Karen Brooks Hopkins and Joseph V. Melillo—were named, respectively, President and Executive Producer.

About BAM
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, BAM Rose Cinemas, BAMcafé, and Shakespeare & Co. BAMshop are located in the main building at 30 Lafayette Avenue (Lafayette and Ashland) in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn. BAM Harvey Theater is located at 651 Fulton Street (between Ashland and Rockwell) in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. BAM Rose Cinemas is Brooklyn’s only movie house dedicated to first-run independent and foreign film and repertory programming. BAMcafé, which will be operated by Great Performances beginning in September 2003 also features an eclectic mix of spoken word and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. A package including dinner in BAMcafé and a movie ticket to BAM Rose Cinemas is available for only $31 (at the box office only). BAMcafé is open Thursday–Sunday from 5–closing. Additionally, BAMcafé is two hours prior to all Howard Gilman Opera House and Harvey Theater productions. A full bar and a selection of hot appetizers also are available a la carte from 5:30–7:30pm in the Diker Gallery Cafe on Opera House performance nights only.

For ticket and BAMbus information, call BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100, or visit www.bam.org.