The Hackensack-based Center for Modern Dance Education (CMDE) will mark its 50th Anniversary with a Gala Dance Concert this Saturday that features some of the most accomplished performers in the modern dance community.

Founded in 1962, CMDE is a non-profit community arts organization that offers dance programs to willing students, regardless of physical or financial ability, including individuals with disabilities, youth at risk, older adults, and economically disadvantaged and underserved populations. 

Saturday's performance, which begins at 6 p.m., will be held at the Fair Lawn Community Theater, following CMDE's noon and 2 p.m. Danceathon 2012 shows that feature more than 20 individual CMDE student performances.

The 50th Anniversary concert, part of the center's yearlong anniversary celebration, brings together CMDE program alumni who have gone on to dance with companies all over the country, including Mary Ford, Sam Pott, Josie Mosley and Oregon Ballet soloist Javier Ubell, the nephew of CMDE founder Shirley Ubell.

In addition to the live performances, the gala will highlight two films by CMDE almuni.

Victoria Marks, now a UCLA dance professor, will screen her film "Outside In," about both able-bodied dancers and dancers with disabilities, and choreographer Linda Mensch, the artistic director of the Moving Company Modern Dance Center in Warwick, N.Y., will screen a video of CMDE dancers through time that was created expressly for the gala.

Tickets are available for purchase in advance at the CMDE website. Reserved Seats are $50 and must be purchased in advance, and open seating is $40. Tickets for children, seniors, and people with disabilities are $25 reserved, $20 open seating. 

The event also includes a post-show reception where guests can meet the artists. 

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