Elle Décor’s Dining By Design benefiting DIFFA was held March 11, 12, and 13th, ending with a gala dinner at The Waterfront, 626 West 28th Street. Among the contributors and designers participating were Calvin Klein, Coach, Ralph Lauren, W Hotels, In Style, as well as celebrity designers Thom Filicia, Robert Verdi, and David Rockwell.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ Gala Benefit, the organization’s annual fundraiser began with a pre-performance reception in the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Founders’ Room, followed by a performance by Michael Feinstein and Broadway’s Linda Eder in the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall.

Elaine Gimelstob, Linda Eder, Michael Feinstein, and Mary Schott

Elaine Gimelstob and Mary Schott served as this year’s Gala Benefit Co-Chairmen. Helen K. Persson was Honorary Chairman. Money raised from the entertaining evening will help fund the Kravis Center’s nationally recognized education programs.

During dinner, Kravis Center Chairman Alexander W. Dreyfoos gave special recognition to Herbert and Phyllis Tick who made a $1 million gift earlier this season to the Kravis Center’s Encore Campaign, an ongoing fund-raising effort to pay for the Cohen Pavilion expansion project.

Mr. Dreyfoos acknowledged the late Mr. Tick’s longtime support of the Kravis Center and thanked the couple on behalf of fellow board members. Kravis Center Chief Executive Officer Judy Mitchell then presented Phyllis Tick with a Tiffany & Co. tray that has traditionally been given to generous donors who contribute $1 million or more to the Encore Campaign. Mrs. Tick was in attendance with her daughter, Susan Tick.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis M. Schott generously sponsored the Gala entertainment. Other sponsors for the evening included Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Shapiro, Mary Fairbanks and Patrick Park, Mrs. Sydell Miller, Jane Mitchell and Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Persson, Jr.

On the 40th anniversary of Truman Capote’s legendary Black and White Ball, Christie’s celebrated the event with 500 guests amid the original contents of the Plaza in Christie’s Grand Ballroom for one night only. Guest were requested to follow the original ball’s dress code – black and white, with masks and fans. Bentley Motors also provided a number of Continental Flying Spur and Arnage sedans to bring a number of special guests to the ball where two classic black and white Bentleys were also in attendance.

Stephen S. Lash, Chairman of Christie’s Americas hosted the evening. Of the 120 names on the committee list, 16 actually attended the original ball in 1966. Among the attendees: Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Claudia Cohen, Bob Colacello, Celerie Kemble and Boykin Curry, James de Givenchy, Brooke Hayward Duchin, Dominick Dunne, Pamela Fiori, Nina Griscom and Leonel Piraino, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Jane Holzer, Jeff Koons, Coco and Arie Kopelman, Kenneth Jay Lane, Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman, Carol and Earle Mack, Mary McFadden, Georgette Mosbacher, Fernanda Niven, Judith and Samuel Peabody, Marjorie and Reza Raein, Allison Sarofim, Kate and Andy Spade, Ivana Trump, and Bettina Zilkha.

Peter Duchin and his orchestra, who played at the original ball from Capote and his guests, provided the music. Deborah Davis, author of Party of the Century; the Fabulous Story of Truman Capote and His Black and White Ball (Wiley) also attended.

Michael Lynch, Susan Baker, and Marty Oppenheimer

The New York City Opera opened its spring season with a gala dinner and performance of Frank Loesser's The Most Happy Fella. Following the setting of show, the evening was a Napa Valley celebration, honoring Ann Colgin of the acclaimed Colgin Cellars and including an exclusive wine and lifestyle auction.

With his immortal Guys and Dolls, Frank Loesser took the Broadway musical to glorious new heights. Then he raised the bar with his most lovable, most daring work of all: The Most Happy Fella, celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. Set in the Napa Valley, it follows the May-December romance between a lonely vineyard owner and his mail-order bride. Aging vineyard owner, Tony, courts a pretty young waitress, Rosabella, through the mail and wins her over with a marriage proposal with a picture enclosed. Afraid of rejection, though, he has sent a picture of his handsome foreman. Rosabella discovers the ruse, but true love brings about a most happy ending. A treasure trove of melodic riches, it encompasses the full spectrum of American musical theater, from heart-melting love songs to pop hits, operatic solos to barbershop quartets, and heavenly choral numbers to razzle-dazzle showstoppers.

Paul Sorvino performed the role of Tony. Dinner Chairs were Edmée de M. Firth, Michèle Gerber Klein, Connie Milstein, and Herbert and Svetlana Wachtell. Corporate Chair was Charles R. Wall, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Altria Group, Inc.

A couple of weeks ago at Pier 94, Architectural Digest hosted the opening night gala of the 2006 Home Design Show to benefit the DirectEffect HIV-AIDS Research Support Program at The Rockefeller University. The evening included a silent auction with such highlights as a personal acting lesson with actress Julianne Moore in her New York City studio and a half-day experience on the set of the film "Enchanted" with Susan Sarandon. Honorary Chairs were Julianne Moore and Christopher H. Brown. James Huniford, Reed and Delphine Krakoff, and Lauren and Richard du Pont served as Co-Chairs.

The CDCH Foundation for Special Children held its 7th annual spring benefit, ‘Mardi Gras’, honoring The Emeril Lagasse Foundation for their work and dedication to the special needs children in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. In light of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the CDCH Foundation felt that this is a crucial year to raise support for, not only the CDCH Schools, but for the children of the Gulf Coast region who have lost so much. To fulfill this resolution, the CDCH Foundation pledged a portion of the benefit’s proceeds to their honoree.

The “Mardi Gras” was held at the Toy Building at Cipriani 23rd Street. Chairing the event were Melissa Cohn, CDCH Foundation president and Ines Rivero, Victoria Secret’s model and Cover Girl spokesperson. Benefit co-chairs were Antonella Bertello-Rosen, Jennifer Klein and Jane McEvoy. Kristen Hummel and Joanna Pashby Co-Chaired the ‘Mardi Gras’ Junior Benefit Committee.

The CDCH Foundation for Special Children supports the educational and therapeutic programs of the CDCH schools, where children are given the tools to become productive and cherished members of the community.

The CDCH Preschool and CDCH Charter School (K-8) are not-for-profit schools open to all children and specially equipped to meet the needs of children with disabilities. These unique schools provide an integrated program where children with special needs learn alongside their regular education peers. The CDCH Charter School offers public school choice at no cost to families.

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