Honoring Charles Reinhart: A Celebration of Life

A photo of Charles Reinhart in the foreground, with a photo of the Javitz Theater in the background

A Celebration of Life in Dance and Advocacy

Of the many iconic moments Charlie shared with me during our all-too-brief time working together, the most memorable was when he spoke of modern dance.

If I asked, “What do you love most about dance?” his entire countenance changed. This man of unbridled passion, drive, and determination would deliberately slow down, breathe deep, and stare wistfully as the magnificent choreography he’d experienced danced in front of his face.

He said to me several times, “Dance just takes my breath away. The choreography, the choreographers, and the dancers.”

In a world so frequently impatient, bored, desensitized, and jaded, awe is magic. To slow down and savor being awe-struck might be impulsive and unintentional, but also can be a conscious choice.

A Global Tribute to a Dance Icon

The Joyce Theater marquee announces the "Celebration of Charles Reinhart"

Dancers from across the modern dance ecosystem who were influenced and supported by Charlie flew in from around the globe to honor him. Shen Wei improvised a new piece to “Nature Boy” accompanied by Charlie’s daughter (and 4A Arts Board Member) Ariane Reinhart on the microphone and her husband, Laurence Hobgood, on the piano. Martha Clarke’s legendary piece, Nocturne, enraptured all.

Two original pieces were shared by the legendary duo Eiko & Koma and Paul Taylor resident choreographer Robert Battle. The performance ended with Paul Taylor Dance Company’s “Company B,” which, according to Ms. Reinhart’s eulogy, Charlie considered the “quintessential piece by Paul Taylor.”

Each performance filled the entire audience with awe, just as Charlie would have hoped.

4A Arts Honors a Visionary Advocate

Before the Celebration of Life at the Joyce, 4A Arts held its own tribute to Charlie’s vision for arts advocacy across the street from the Joyce. Board members Luis Cancel, Paula Lawrence, Joy Javits, Marc Lemberg, and Ruby Shang hosted dozens of arts advocates.

The joyous occasion celebrating the life of a legend expanded the 4A Arts family and expanded the circle of folks inspired by Charlie’s vision for national participation in arts advocacy to (in his own words), “bring the arts from the basement to the top floor.”

Onwards and sidewards!

Charlie Reinhart

Founder, 4A Arts

Joy Javits, a woman with strawberry blond hair reads from a paper and laughs while Gavin Lodge and Luis Cancel look on.

Board Member Marc Lemberg chats with Goodspeed Opera House General Manager Vanessa Logan

4A Arts Board Chair Luis Cancel and Executive Director Gavin Lodge

4A Arts Board Member Joy Javits reads and acrostic poem she write in honor of Charlie Reinhart

4A Arts Board Member Joy Javits shares an acrostic poem she composed in honor of Charlie Reinhart

Informational packets about the 4A Arts mission and programming

4A Arts Board Chair Luis Cancel (L) and Executive Director Gavin Lodge (R) pose with Sebastian Scripps at the "Salute to Charlie Reinhart"

4A Arts Board Chair Luis Cancel and Board Member Ruby Shang pose with Executive Director Gavin Lodge

Board Member Ruby Shang converses with Sebastian Scripps

Board Chair Luis Cancel addresses the guests about Charlie Reinhart's vision for arts advocacy as Executive Director Gavin Lodge looks on

Arts advocates mingle at the "Salute to Charlie Reinhart" in the Loulou Bistro Speakeasy

Five pin buttons that say "Charlie's Angels"

Board Chairs Luis Cancel, and Paula Lawrence with Executive Director Gavin Lodge

Board Member Ruby Shang waves to friends

Board member Luis Cancel laughs with Joy Javits and Gavin Lodge

Night time photograph of the Joyce Theatre marquis with the name "Joyce" in pint and blue neon letters with the announcement "Celebration of Charles Reinhart, Dec 1, 7pm"

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Written by
Gavin Lodge

4A Arts Executive Director Gavin Lodge is also an actor, entrepreneur, political strategist, and father of two. After studying international affairs and philosophy at the University of Colorado, he worked as a field organizer in the Iowa Caucus followed by the role of “body guy” to then-candidate Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington State. Politics empowered him to move to New York City to pursue a performing career. Ultimately, he performed in multiple Broadway shows (including 42nd Street, Spamalot, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) as well as regional theater, national tours and several network television appearances.

Though he was thrilled every time he stepped onto a theatrical or sound stage, Gavin was equally happy to take on leadership roles in his local union and later his kids’ PTA.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, Gavin jumped back into the political realm, working as a strategist for Bryson Gillette, a minority-owned PR firm focused on politics and public affairs. He also volunteered for Be an #ArtsHero, an arts advocacy movement blossoming during the first few months of the pandemic. During his time with Be an #ArtsHero, he was part of a team that successfully lobbied for a first-of-its-kind hearing on the creative economy in front of the House of Representatives Small Business Committee.

Gavin lives in rural Connecticut with his partner (a composer and orchestral conductor), his TikTok-dancing daughter (who is musically gifted in unparalleled ways) and his soccer-playing son who recently told him “Dad? I’m just not into concerts and theater stuff.” As he told his son, Gavin believes there is much more to American arts and culture than “concerts and theater stuff.” From the video games his son loves to play to low-rider paint jobs to streaming television series while sitting on the couch, Gavin sees American arts and culture as an inclusive, “big tent” spectrum where everyone is an artist and everyone is a member of an audience.

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