Gathering Wild, a Decatur-based professional modern dance company, will perform in a special evening of dance to benefit the Atlanta cancer hospice, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home. The fundraiser will be Saturday, April 18, at 8 p.m. at St. Pius X High School’s Msgr. Terry Young Center for Performing Arts. A dessert reception will follow the performance.

Called “Radiance,” the night’s performance will feature the premiere of two new works, “Anthem” and “Chasing Brubeck,” by Gathering Wild artistic director Jerylann Warner, as well as pieces by guest choreographers George Staib of George Staib Dance and independent choreographer Kathleen Wessel. Wessel will also direct a special performance of modern dance students from Decatur City Dance.

Performing for a very worthy cause was the impetus of the evening, said Warner. “We are presenting this dance to bring about awareness and donations for this wonderful hospice, while attempting to expand an audience for modern dance and showcase these extremely talented choreographers and dancers,” she said. “Atlanta dance is just brimming with these gems.”

Now in its 12th season, Gathering Wild draws professional dancers from throughout Georgia. Founded by Warner in 1996, the group made its first appearance during the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta; since then they have performed during the Modern Atlanta Dance Festival, the Inman Park Festival, Atlanta’s ART WALK, as well as numerous productions at the Beacon Hill Arts Center, Seven Stages, the 14th Street Playhouse, Agnes Scott College, Oglethorpe University and Center Stage.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home is a hospice for terminally-ill cancer patients located next to Turner Field in downtown Atlanta. Staffed by the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, it is nondenominational and serves patients who are unable to pay for their medical care. It is funded only through donations; it has no billing department.

Tickets for the benefit are $20 and are tax-deductible, with all proceeds benefiting Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home.