Joining forces

Event Chairwomen Kristin Kennedy Clark, Julia Koch, and Sharon Jacob, with students from the School of American Ballet who appeared in The Nutcracker performance.

New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet joined forces, once again, for The Nutcracker Family Benefit – one of New York’s favorite holiday events for families at the David H. Koch Theater. The Benefit began with a performance of the timeless classic, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.

After the performance, guests proceeded to the Theater’s Promenade to enjoy a holiday party decorated with gingerbread houses and plenty of good cheer. The Sugarplum Fairy, her Cavalier, Candy Cane, Chinese Tea, Marzipan Shepherdesses, and children from the cast were on hand to sign autographs and mingle with the guests.

Michael Douglas and his children with NYCB Principal Dancer Sterling Hyltin (the Sugarplum Fairy) and Gonzalo Garcia (her Cavalier)

Benefit Chairmen were Kristin Kennedy Clark, Sharon Jacob, and
Julia Koch. Guests included Ann Reinking, Michael Douglas, Linda Evangelista, Matthew Nye, Lisa Maria and Philip Falcone, Katie von Strasser, Donya Bommer, Franci Blassberg, Michele and Lawrence Herbert, Serena and William Lese, Alexandra Lebenthal, Celeste Boele, and Agnes Gund.

NYCB Principal Dancer Sterling Hyltin, the Sugarplum Fairy, signs autographs for guests.

NYCB dancer Tabitha Rinko-Gay signs an autograph for a guest.

The Nutcracker Family Benefit is a critical source of support for New York City Ballet’s Education Programs, which serve thousands of children and families in the metropolitan area. The Benefit also provides a vital source of support for the School of American Ballet’s Scholarship Fund. The fund ensures that students studying at the School, many of whom are the most talented young dancers in the country, receive crucial scholarship funds.

Linda Evangelista and her son

Event Chairwoman Sharon Jacob (in white) and her family

Dr. Susan Krysiewicz and her daughter

Dr. Sherrell Aston and Muffie Potter Aston with their daughters

NYCB Board Member Katie von Strasser with her son (right) and friends

David and Julia Koch with Sterling Hyltin

Linda Evangelista and her son with students from the School of American Ballet who appeared in the afternoon’s performance of The Nutcracker

Howard Solomon and his grandson, a student at the School of American Ballet appearing in The Nutcracker

Kristin Kennedy Clark and her family

Photographs by Mary Hilliard

More than 500 guests attended Central Park Conservancy’s 13th annual lighting of Central Park’s picturesque Charles A. Dana Center on Sunday, December 6. The public event, hosted by the Upper Park Partners of The Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy, culminated with the lighting of the building by Central Park Conservancy President Doug Blonsky and Women’s Committee President Gillian Miniter.

Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (photo: Scott Jansson/Central Park Conservancy).

Santa waves.

Cookie decorating.

Nancy Missett, Norma Dana, Doug Blonsky, Gillian Miniter, and Susan Rudin

Organized by the Central Park Conservancy’s Public Programs Department, the celebration featured ornament-making activities, refreshments, live music, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. The event was generously underwritten by Con Edison, the founding sponsor, for the 13th year.

Co-Chairs of the Upper Park Partners are Robin Bell-Stevens, Norma Dana, Nancy Missett, Susan Rudin, and Samantha Topping.

Ronise Cox, Shavon Sistrunk, and Taylor Sistrunk

Kamie Lightburn, Nina Whitman, Kathryn Beach, and Mary Van Pelt

McDowell Winn, Rema Parachini, and Liz Victory Anderson

Quint and Serena Miniter

The Junior Council of American Museum of Natural History, the Museum’s Membership group for New Yorkers ages 22 to 39, continued its 2009–2010 season on December 3, 2009. Members and their guests were treated to a private viewing of Traveling the Silk Road, the Museum’s newest exhibition, that brings to life the most celebrated trade route in human history through evocative sights, sounds, and artifacts as well as intriguing interactives. Guests also enjoyed a cocktail reception.

David Harvey, Senior Vice President, Department of Exhibition, spoke, Kitty Kempner served as the Trustee host, and co-chair Sarah Crews served as the Junior Council host.

Co-Chairs were Lisa and Paul Canty, Christy Corgan, Sarah Crews, Eva and Doug Heyman, Dana Wallach Jones and Michael Jones, Zach Pomerantz and Lori Toub, Andrew and Zibby Right.

Steering Committee members Peggy Hannon, Luca Mihaly, and Natalie Smith

Co-chair Sarah Crews, Monali Jhaveri, and Steering Committee member Anne Shutkin

Steering Committee member Josh Bernstein and Lily Snyder

Nora and Alex Abularach with Lauren McIntyre

Whitney Frick and Andy Bernstein

Paulette Fox and friend

Steering Committee members Jenna Dreher and Gaelin Rosenwaks

Steering Committee members Sky Fernandes and Alex Greeley with David Rogue

Steering Committee members Val Bitici, Avi Barak, and Natalie Smith

Brian Rowe and Evette Guevara

Co-chair Christy Corgan, Vicki Kalavroziotis, and Steering Committee member Julia Blankertz

Over 150 guests joined Hunter President Jennifer Raab at the second annual Bridge to Achievement Award gala honoring Roosevelt House. Closed since 1992, the newly renovated house will reopen in 2010 as Hunter's public policy institute. Roosevelt House has been an integral part of the College since 1942 when the Roosevelts arranged for Hunter to purchase the building. The Gala's distinguished guest and speaker was Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of Franklin and Eleanor.