Benefit Helped Raise $50,000

Amid loads of sentiment and words of thanks, the Lyon Opera Ballet danced a benefit performance for the financially endangered San Diego Foundation for Performing Arts in a half-full Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego Tuesday night.

Fred Colby, executive director of the dance foundation, which brings major dance groups to San Diego, said that since his announcement a week ago that the group might close, $50,000 has been raised through ticket sales and donations.

And despite his once-firm do-or-die goal to raise $200,000 by Friday, Colby now says that if an additional $50,000 is donated--totaling $100,00--the foundation may present its scheduled November performances by Mark Morris Dance Group. The remainder of the 1992-93 season, including performances by Kodo Drummers, Paul Taylor Dance Co. and Miami City Ballet, remains imperiled.

The foundation’s board of trustees will meet Friday to decide the foundation’s future.