Daily News from New York, New York • 237

Arts A Y'Eetertaninimeitt Working their way to World's Fair Children's ffroupo raising cash for 'Dance Extravaganza' By BRUCE CHADWICK "tf --xul p'uTt-' rr ci ONLY group of New York City schoolchildren invited to LI perform at the World's Fair in New Orleans yesterday kicked off a fund-raising campaign to earn enough money to make the trip to Louisiana. The highlight of the campaign will be a June 30 benefit at Aaron Davis Hall, City College of New York, and it will include everything from raffles to car washes to corporate and foundation soliciting. The cost of the trip in early August for the 35 dancers from IS 136, in upper Manhattan, will be approximately $23,000. The group is scheduled to perform its show, "Dance Extravaganza," with music by Duke Ellington, Pete Fountain, Benny Goodman and others, at the fair on Aug. 14.

The group will also do its stuff at 19 New Orleans schools during its one-week visit The IS 136 dance group, trained by teacher Elaine Smith, was one of four New York State groups selected from 68 statewide applicants and from among over 2,500 applicants nationwide. "It's a great honor for the dance program and the entire school," said Smith, who has headed up the school's dance division for 14 years. "We were selected after a World's Fair committee researched the background of the program and studied a videotape we sent To me, this honor reflects the success of the program over many years, not just one." Unfortunately, the World's Fair does not pay for airfare, lodging and DAN CRONIN DAILY NEWS Young ehow folks from IS 136 get In some rehearsal for their big moment "On past trips the students went on numerous tours, visited several museums and were assigned essays on area history and culture to be written upon their return," she said. "This is no paid vacation for any of them." The students who train in a large and noisy dance studio on the school's third floor are looking forward to it with the kind of enthusiasm you'd find in an old Andy Hardy movie. "I've never been out of New York State before and this seems like a great adventure for all of us," said Joan Hinton, 12 (also an student).

"I can't wait" Iww mi m- ii jyijimu. hi W'l in nijmi I puiu.mmijiunj imn iiii tm Itiaw m-n. iihiuij4.hjiji n.tui-'Hpi 1 -IWIII'V-. fc.aJt:-?'r-t?. meals for its invited school groups.

Smith and other teachers at IS 136 have raised money to send the dance troupe to out-of-state festivals before, but this trip is farther and the stay longer than anything in the school's history. "This is a great opportunity for the students to show people from all over the world how well they can dance, but it's also a chance for our students to study New Orleans culture and history," said Dreama Clay tor. "We believe it will be a great learning experience for them." Another teacher, Ella Gardner, agrees. I silk i In New Orleans "This will be an opportunity for us to meet lots of new people, not just from New Orleans, but from all over the country," said Beverly Perkins, 14. "It should be a great trip." Robert Mackey, 14, who has already auditioned for several Broadway shows, has been on trips before.

"It is no joy ride, believe me," he said. "On the last trip the dance troupe went we performed three and sometimes four times a day, every day. It's very enjoyable, but it's also a lot of work." Contributions for the school's trip can be sent to Smith care of the school at 6 Edgecombe New York, N.Y. 10030. American Ballet Theatre.

Met Opera House. "Paquita," The Leaves Are Fading," "Push Comes to Shove," "The Leaves Are Fading," "Miss Julie," "Bourree Fantas-que," 8 Elmar Oliviera. Violinist. Carnegie Hall, 8 The West Village Chorale. Benefit concert.

St. Joseph's Church (371 Ave. of the Americas), 8 City Ballet. "Allegro Brillante," "Other Dances," "Kammermu-sik No. 2," Tschaikovsky Suite No.

3." New York State Theater, 8 Zappa. New Danish film, opening. 68th Street Playhouse Tutus'. Vegas 'Showgirl', stakes are high If you're a girl at least 5 feet 10 and would like to cash in on your height, the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, may be looking for you. They're holding auditions Saturday at their sister hotel in Atlantic City for their "Ultimate Showgirl," who will be rewarded with a one-year contract to appear in their "Folies Bergere" revue.

The contract calls for a salary of $25,000 for the year, with a potential of $100,000 on outside appearances, modeling fees and the like and you don't have to know how to sing, dance or act Five finalists will be chosen from this area, and flown out to Vegas with a companion, all expenses paid, to compete in the finals June 7 to June 10. Leslie Kay, last year's pick, (she's 20 years old and 6 feet tall), will be one of the judges. Those interested should show up at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Royal Swan Ballroom, wearing a one-piece swim-suit or leotard, high heels and day makeup. But be warned you have to be willing to appear topless if selected.

4 i wCi' 2 CO CD Yes, fhzsfs qua fa a ffaat For the rock group Yes, just packing them in for their latest concert at Madison Square Garden wasn't enough. After their Monday night's work, they were awarded the Garden's Platinum Ticket, signifying they've played to more than a quarter million fans during their Garden gigs. Only other Platinum Ticket holders are the Rolling Stones and Elton John..