12.2.11: Going Strong | New York Social Diary

Going Strong

New York City Opera's Fall Gala at The Waldorf Astoria.

This past Monday night, the New York City Opera held its Fall Gala dinner dance at the Waldorf=Astoria, welcoming Charles R. Wall as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The evening began with cocktails in the newly-renovated Vanderbilt Room, followed by dinner in the Empire Room. The program featured performances by Rod Gilfry, Laquita Mitchell, Melody Moore, and Taylor Stayton from next season’s productions of La traviata, Così fan tutte, and Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna. Champagne, dessert, and dancing to the music of Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks immediately followed the performance.

Rod Gilfry, Melody Moore, George Steel, Laquita Mitchell, and Taylor Stayton

Harrison Morgan, Joan Granlund, Mark Newhouse, and Guy Clark

Mark Newhouse, Alison Levasseur, and Laurent Levasseur

Cindy Phelps, Dean Phelps, Jon Firester, and Anika Altmann

Bill Ohoemeyer, Bridgid Ohoemeyer, Matthew Arpano, and Courtney Arpano

Alla Akimova, Ana Gordeeda, Maya Letrlavec, Claude Arpels, and Winsome Brown

All proceeds from the Fall Gala support City Opera’s mission to create innovative productions of new and classic work, reach a wide audience with affordable ticket prices, to bring music into the lives of thousands of students each year through its education programs in New York City public schools.

Co-Chairs for the evening were Winsome Brown and Claude Arpels, Susan L. Baker, Emilie Roy Corey, Caroline Cronson, Mary Sharp Cronson, Edmée Firth, Joan Granlund, James Marlas, Mark and Lorry Newhouse.

Charles R. Wall and HRH Alexandra of Greece

Robert Verdi and Kelly Bensimon

Dana Gluck and Kim Hastie

Linette and Matt Semino

Rob and Julia Kao

Mark Newhouse, Paloa Rosenshein, and Arnie Rosenshein

Edmee Firth and Robert Meya

Elizabeth Taberas, Emily Carey, and Kim Hastie

Louise and Teige Carrol

Luziah Hennessy, Diana Picaso, and Korn Weisbrodt

Kim Hastie and Matt Quam

Sarah Fels Steel and Tom Gold

Lorry Newhouse and Yung Hee Kim

Aneesa Sheikh and Eric Cheng

Gadi Behar and Lauren Imperial

George Steel, Stephanie Newhouse, and Jesse Newhouse

Bonnie and Tom Strauss

Joan Granlund, Bill Walsh, and Mary Walsh

Laura Pozbolska

Peter Lee, Luziah Hennessy, and Jean Christoph Laizau

Wendy Goldstein

Teresa Mitsy, Guy Clark, and Francesca Beale

Austin Scarlett

Lauren Imperial and Gadi Behar

Erin Gibbs, Antoin Ohannessian, and Alexandra von Winterfeldt

George Steel and Nicolas Mirzayantz

SueAnn Weinberg and Marie Nugent-Fheld

Tracey Fitzpatrick and Sabrina Martin

Nicolas Mirzayantz and HRH Alexandra of Greece

Susan Baker, Michael Lynch, and Ann McNulty

Jane O'Hara and Edward O'Hara

Robert Verdi, Kelly Bensimon, and McKenzie Liautaud

Oises Kaufman, Heather Randell, and Mary Sharp Cronson

Jorn Weisbrodt and Diana Picaso

Lisa Lori, Alexis Blais, and Joanna Scholtz

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) honored music industry icon Stevie Wonder with the MMRF Spirit of Hope Award at the 15th annual MMRF Fall Gala, at the Hyatt Regency, Greenwich Connecticut. The Spirit of Hope Award is presented annually to individuals who inspire hope with their perseverance in overcoming personal obstacles. Michael McDonald, Darius Rucker and Javier Colon performed a tribute concert celebrating Stevie Wonder.

Dennis Gillings, CBE, Chairman and Chief executive of Quintiles, was honored with the MMRF Corporate Leadership Award. Deborah Norville, member of MMRF’s Honorary Board of Directors, was the MC. The $2.1 million raised support the development of next-generation treatments for multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

Javier Colon, Deborah Norville, Michael McDonald, Kathy Giusti, and Darius Rucker

Kathy Giusti, CEO - One of Time Magazine’s 2011 most influential people in the world, founded the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) in 1998 with her twin sister Karen Andrews soon after Kathy's diagnosis with multiple myeloma. Today, 165 million research dollars, four new approved drugs and 13 years later, Kathy is in remission but still pressing scientists and the FDA to work together efficiently.

Michael Reinert, Merril Wasserman-Serling, and Joe Serling

Traver Hutchins with Anne and David Ogilvy

Dennis Gillings and Mireille Gingras

Michael Reinert, Lori Alf, Darius Rucker, and Michael McDonald

Randy Phelps with Peter and Debby Weinberg

Stevie Wonder

Chris and Julie Church

Chris and Lori Melancon

Lauren Stein, David and Christine Zadik, and Traver Hutchins

Marilyn Chinitz and Deborah Norville

Jeanine Getz and Anne Ogilvy

Charley Zahringer, Kimberly and Chris Clarke, with Lynne Wheat

Nada and John Krediet

Darius Rucker and Ann Curry

A group of Iraq, Afghanistan and Viet Nam Veterans & their families enjoyed a birds-eye view of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from a prime perch overlooking Times Square at a special brunch hosted by Los Angeles philanthropist, arts patron and injured veterans activist Patricia Kennedy, founder of Step Up 4 Vets.

For several of the families it was the first Thanksgiving together in several years due to deployments and their first time at the parade. A highlight for the kids was the annual balloon toss when Santa arrived. The children had written messages to Santa on hundreds of balloons and pushed them out the windows as he passed by.

Patricia Kennedy surrounded by the military families

For the last three years, Ms. Kennedy a long time patron of the arts and especially dance has successfully bought at auction at the Career Transitions For Dancers Annual Jubilee, the Champagne Brunch to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from the organization’s offices overlooking Times Square.

A big supporter of our fighting men and women, Ms. Kennedy launched Step Up 4 Vets in 2008 to partner in the transition of our injured veterans as they readjust, rebuild and redirect their lives. At the brunch, she presented the organization’s Peace One Earth Medallion to Stephanie Mahaney wife of Col. Patrick Mahaney.

Snoopy always a favorite

Sending a message to Santa

Spiderman

Sponge Bob drew cheers from the kids

The Energizer Bunny

There were over 1,500 cheerleaders marching

Kermit the Frog

Kung Fu Panda

View from the brunch

Marching in perfect formation

Santa Arrives

In presenting the Medallion to Mrs. Mahaney, Ms. Kennedy said, “She exemplifies our tireless military spouses who raise families alone while our men and woman in uniform go into harm’s way, especially on multiple deployments. Their sacrifices are very real and go much unnoticed. They don’t receive metals or promotions and ask little or nothing in return but that their spouse comes home safely to enjoy the freedom they fought for. Step Up 4 Vets is honored to present Stephanie Mahaney with the Peace One Earth medallion in recognition of her tireless and selfless contributions to her family and other military families and to the loved ones left behind who must forge ahead without their spouse and parent”.

Kennedy founded Step Up 4 Vets to help injured Vets transition to civilian life. To honor our veterans, Ms. Kennedy created Peace One Earth as a way to express gratitude to the defenders of our freedoms while acknowledging the hope for a world at peace.

Watching the parade for the first time

Writing a message to Santa

Preparing for the balloon toss

Ms. Kennedy designed a beautifully crafted Peace One Earth medallion to make a statement about what is really important and essential in a peaceful society and to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our troops and veterans who have given so much in pursuit. Since then, the Peace One Earth Medallion has been bestowed on a number of heroes as well as several individuals who have championed veterans. The Peace One Earth Medallion is now available on The Military Shopping Channel with proceeds going to the programs of Step Up 4 Vets

In recognition of her enormous charitable efforts and philanthropy, she was recently invested Dame Grand Cross in the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, only the second American woman ever to receive this highest honor. At the core of Ms. Kennedy’s beliefs is the concept that dance and theater experiences and, yes, parades can have a transforming effect on the injured veterans and elevate the spirit to aid in the healing process.

For more information, please visit www.stepup4vets.org

Col Ralph Kauzlarich, Col. Robert Karmazin, Patricia Kennedy, Maj. Kirk Liddle, and Col. Patrick Mahaney

Patricia Kennedy with Mstr Sgt Jason Leach, wife Kimberly and children

Karen Karmazin with her husband Col. Robert Karmazin

Mitchell Benyon, Elena Karmazin, John Reso, and Sarah Karmazin

Patricia Kennedy, Col Ralph Kauzlarich, and Stephanie Kauzlarich

Patricia Kennedy, Maj Kirk Liddle, wife Shelby and children

Stephanie Mahaney wearing Peace One Earth Medallion with Patricia Kennedy

Third Street Music School Settlement, the nation's oldest community music school, celebrated its 117th Anniversary Luncheon late last month at the Metropolitan Club. This annual fund-raising event serves as the occasion for Third Street to honor extraordinary artists and supporters of the arts.

This year's Luncheon honored Pamela Frank, violinist and 1999 recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize, who along with Jonathan Sternberg, international conductor and Third Street alumnus, received the award for Distinguished Achievements in the Arts. Also honored was David Guy, trumpeter with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Third Street alumnus, who received Third Street's Rising Star Award. This year's special guest award presenters were Arnold Steinhardt, Jeffrey Solow, and Bob Stewart, respectively.

Third Street Anniversary Luncheon benefit leadership, honorees and performers

Performing Third Street children

Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the sixth year was Jim Watkins. Luncheon Co-Chairs were Peter Flint, Sarah Gordon and Jeannie Park. Luncheon Committee Members included Barbara E. Field, Edmée and Nicholas Firth, Prue Gary, Holly Glass, Philip Glass, Cathy Guy, Diana and David Huggin, Anna-Maria Kellen, Joan C. Long, Stella and Peter Sichel, Ellsworth George Stanton III, Dorothea Von Haeften and Arnold Steinhardt, and Robert White.

Guests enjoyed performances by Third Street students. A group of the School's youngest violin students, affectionately called the "Twinklers," performed three traditional songs from the Suzuki method repertoire. Twelve-year-old Emily Ma wowed the audience with her interpretation of Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu. In addition, a trio of teenage students performed a sonata by Martinu, and a jazz ensemble with students ages 11 - 17 presented "The Sidewinder" by Lee Morgan.

Lee Koonce, Pamela Frank, and Arnold Steinhardt

Touching presentation and acceptance speeches were given by all the honorees and their special presenters, inspiring both love and appreciation for music and music education. To complete the afternoon, the Jazz ensemble took to the stage yet again as a postlude hurrah for a wonderful event and its honorees.

Proceeds from the Luncheon benefit Third Street's students in need. Nearly 75 percent of all youth served benefit from need-based financial aid, merit-based scholarships and tuition-free instruction and enrichment programs.