Virginia Smith, Patrick Robinson, and Thelma Golden

Touré, Rita Nakouzi, Lea Green, and Christine Kim

The Studio Museum in Harlem and Morgans Hotel Group hosted the 6th annual Contemporary Friends Spring Benefit, at Hudson Bar of the Hudson hotel located on West 58th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.  Fashion design star Patrick Robinson, artists Mickalene Thomas and Shinique Smith, and cultural critic Touré were the honorary hosts for an unforgettable (for some people) evening of dancing, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.  The sold out event raised approximately $50,000, was attended by prominent influencers from the art, business, fashion, and entertainment worlds, including fashion designer Evan Cosby, Thelma Golden, Director of The Studio Museum in Harlem, Christine Kim, Curator of The Studio Museum, Sandra Hamburg, Chairman of the Board of The Studio Museum, Ray McGuire, designer Peter Som and Carol Sutton-Lewis. The Studio Museum’s Spring Benefit is the major fundraiser for the institution’s young professionals’ membership group, ranging from ages 21 thur 40. The Contemporary Friends are an active group of rising professionals with a passion for contemporary art and a strong commitment to community who represent the next generation of charitable giving and leadership.  Proceeds from the Spring Benefit provide critical support for the Museum’s innovative and effective education programs including more than 4,000 school children and teens with limited or no access to arts education, and other initiatives.

Debbie Mangel, Larry Mangel, Brian Keith Jackson, Rodney Fitzgerald, Mickalene Thomas, and Shiya Mangel

Gordon and Sherrie Bell

Touré and Rita Nakouzi

Touré, Patrick Robinson, Thelma Golden, Ray McGuire, Shinique Smith, and Mickalene Thomas

Christine Kim, Calvin Stephenson, and Lea Green

Jamilla Deria, Omar Otieku, and Monica Otieku

Lea Green and friend

Mickalene Thomas and Christine Kim

Alaina Simone, Love Anthony, Jacqueline Cofield, and Jumaane N'namdi

Michelle Donald, Jacqueline Howell, Steve Sallion, and Erica Reed

Gale Myron and Virginia Smith

Thelma Golden and Patrick Robinson

Virginia Smith and Patrick Robinson

Audrey Eveillard, Rafique DeCastro, and Mirand Valbrune

Gary Grant, Yael Varnado, and Christine Ferrier

Colette Smith, Juliette Acker, DeDe Brook, Chekesha Kidd, and Camille Acker

Wardell Milan, Demtrius Oliver, and Titus Kaphar

Wendy Credle and Kelly MacNeal

Brian Weddington, Sonya Pankey, Lauren and Jerry Bias, and Jill Gordon

Gabrielle Glour, Sherrie and Gordon Bell, and Essie Chambers

Carla Camacho, Mark Mills, Mariska Neitzman, and Courtney Plummer

On a Sunday night earlier this month, Benefit Chairs Susan Braddock, Donna Rosen and Dodie Kazanjian joined with the Metropolitan Opera to host a benefit “Art for Opera” dinner and auction at The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center Many prominent artists such as: Chuck Close, Robert Wilson, John Chamberlain, George Condo, Barnaby Furnas, William Kentridge, Guillermo Kuitca, Richard Prince, David Salle, Cindy Sherman, Sophie von Hellermann and William Wegman created original works inspired by the Opera that were auctioned that evening. Highlights included two portraits of soprano Renée Fleming by Chuck Close and Robert Wilson. “Art for Opera” was curated by The Arnold & Marie Schwartz Gallery Met Director Dodie Kazanjian. James G. Niven, Vice-Chairman of Sotheby’s, served as guest auctioneer. The evening raised money for productions slated for the upcoming 2007-2008 season.

Anna and George Condo

Chuck Close and Donna Rosen

Anne Stringfield and Steve Martin

Cindy Sherman and Dr. Lisa Airan

AFO programs

Joanand Mark Sherman

John Chamberlain entertains

Rachel Feinstein and Steve Martin

Lawrence Luhring and Lucrecia Zappi

John McEnroe

Maija Kovalesvka and Salvatore Licitra

Nancy Ellison Rollnick and Shirley Lord Rosenthal

A John Chamberlain

Richard and Susan Braddock

Gallery Met A

Mark Morris

Marian Goodman and Robert Wilson

Mercedes Bass

Lubov and Max Azria with Sophie Matisse

Sophie Matisse, Calvin Tompkins, and Dodie Kazanjian

The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company held its annual gala benefit last Sunday at Chanterelle (on 2 Harrison Street).  The festivities began at 6pm with outdoor cocktails.  For the first time, the Chanterelle dinner was a tribute to Bill T. Jones, who has had a milestone year: a 2007 Tony Award nomination for his choreography in “Spring Awakening,” unprecedented international tours and the first steps toward building a new Cultural Center in Harlem. Now on the brink of the Company’s 25th anniversary, this year’s benefit was highlighted by tributes to Bill T. Jones from Honorary Chair and Yahoo! CEO Terry Semel, Harvey Lichtenstein and others. Guests mingled with the gorgeous Company dancers, as well as with Bill T. Jones, himself. The event was sponsored by Bloomberg, HSBC Bank and IMG Artists as well as by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company Board Chairman Derek Brown, Eleanor Friedman, Terry and Jane Semel, Jack and Kristalina Taylor, Carol Tolan, William Traylor, Ric Wanetik and David Hagans.

Marcus Polanco, Joseph Wisniewski, and William Traylor

Jean Davidson, Alicia Glen, and Daniel Rayner

Stephen and Ruth Hendel

Bill T. Jones, Carol Tolan, Bjorn Amelan, Ellie Friedman, and Jonathan Cohen

Ric Wanetik and David Hagans

Alicia Hall Moran and Corice Arman

Asli Bulbul and Maija Garcia with Janet Wong

Bill T. Jones with Suzanne and Bob Levine

Shola Olatoye and Hedy Klineman

Cheryl Morrison and Reginald Canal

Lawrence Goldhuber and Daniel Bernard Roumain

Muna El Fituri, Dona Lee Kelly, and Donald Shorter

Jack Taylor, Bill T. Jones, and Elisabeth DeMarse

Bill T. Jones and Harvey Lichtenstein

Jean Davidson and Bill T. Jones

Carole and Ira Hall

Jae Kim and Vivek Maru

Derek Brown, Jean Davidson, and Terry Semel

Jane Semel, Bill T. Jones, and Terry Semel

Artist Cyrille Margarit jet sets around the world from the dangerous jungles of Africa to the glamorous cities of Europe to the glittery Cannes Film Festival photographing capturing images of landscapes and celebrities like Ivana Trump, Russell Simmons and Bruce Willis.   Scarlett Johnason by Cyrille Margarit Recently, KMR Communications and Bruno Jamais presented a collection of his work exhibited at Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club  for select members of the media - including The New York Observer, 201 Magazine,  PBS Television, Black Tie International Magazine, US Weekly, Harper’s Bazaar, Womens Wear Daily, and People Magazine. Manhattan Cablevision Host Cognac Wellerlane of Cognac’s Corner was on hand to interview artist Mr. Margarit as he revealed his special technique of showcasing digital images projected onto sheets of brushed aluminum, as well as his love of photography, art, American culture, and his profound love of the American woman's sophistication. Asked what it was like to work with Ivana Trump, Margarit responded: “She commissioned me to photograph her yacht and she was really sweet.” He also enjoyed working with prize fighter Mike Tyson, and particularly  adored photographing Madonna. “She possesses amazing energy which was incredible to capture on film.”

Cindy Jin in front of Mike Tyson painting by Cyrille Margarit

Katherine Rothman with Robert De Niro look alike Joe Manuella

La Goulue Restaurant’s Steven and Maiwenn Jauffrineau

Lina Axmazher and Bruno Jamais

Joe Manuella, A. Brooks, and Cognac Wellerlane

Kathleen Giordano and friend

Randle Doss and Scott Holland

Cyrille Margarit

Photographs by George Hirose (Bill T. Jones); Ray Llanos for The Studio Museum in Harlem

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