Lauren Hudgins, Marina Thompson, Jill Schneiderman, and Katherine Heyman at a private viewing of the American Museum of Natural History's newest exhibition, GOLD.
Last Wednesday night the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated the opening of its annual season at New York City Center. The Opening night Benefit Gala was one of the city’s most successful fundraisers this year, raising $2.7 million.
S. Epatha Merkerson and Rosie Perez were Chairs. Co-chairs were Simin and Herb Alison, Kathryn and Ken Chenault, Katherine Farley and Jerry Speyer, Patricia and Philip Laskawy and Joan and Sandy Weill.
The Gala performance featured the Company Premiere of Twyla Tharp’s dazzling The Golden Section, with music by David Byrne, and newly-designed costumes by Santo Loquasto, inspired by the beautiful and powerful Aileydancers.The program also included Alvin Ailey’s timeless masterpiece Revelations, performed with live music.
This year’s event brought together all the elements that have made past galas so special: superb dancers and artistry, spectacular ambiance and celebrity guests.
Following the performance, there was a dinner dance the Metropolitan Ballroom of the Sheraton New York, 811 Seventh Ave. at 53rd Street.
Proceeds from the gala will help to ensure the continued growth and vitality of all of Ailey’s important programs – from the creation of new works to scholarships for talented young dancers to innovative outreach programs.
The opening night performance is underwritten by Morgan Stanley. Prudential Financial, Inc. is the sponsor of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s New York Season.
Janice Savin Williams, Christopher Williams, and Elizabeth Mirante
Khephra Burns (sitting), Dwana Adiaha Smallwood, Judith Jamison, Susan Taylor (sitting), Bruce Gordon, and Tawana Tibbs
Jonathan Jackson, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Joan and Sandy Weill
Kenneth Cole and Maria Cuomo Cole with Arthur J. Mirante II and Elizabeth Mirante
Judith Jamison, Patricia Laskawy, Renee Robinson, and Philip Laskawy
S. Epatha Merkerson and Shelley Washington
Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade
Honorary Chair S. Epatha Merkerson and Artistic Director Judith Jamison with Gala Co-Chairs Simin and Herb Allison, Patricia and Philip Laskawy, and Katherine Farley
Kathryn Chenault and Sharon Gersten Luckman
Sandy Weill and Ken Chenault
Vicente Wolf and Fern Mallis
Last Monday night Margaret Russell, the Editor-in-Chief of Elle Décor and Carol Smith, Senior VP of ELLE Group hosted a reception at Vicente Wolf’s midtown loft (see NYSD HOUSE) for Dan Ragone who has just been appointed publisher of Elle Décor Magazine.
Among the guests were former Mets star Mike Piazza and his wife Alicia, Bergdorf Goodman’s Linda Fargo, IMG’s Fern Mallis, Nina Garcia of ELLE and Project Runway, Jack Kliger, President and CEO of Hachette Filipacchi, Chirstian Leone, Thom Filicia, Gilles Bensimon, Jim Druckman, Melissa Barret Rhodes, Leticia Birkheuer.
Alicia and Mike Piazza with Melissa Barrett Rhodes
Bill Pittel and Michelle Richards of Wedgwood
Linda Fargo and Dan Ragone
Diana Picasso and Gilles Bensimon
Jack Calhoun and Carol Smith
Jack Kliger and Dan Ragone
Libby Conover and Justin Tarquino
Santiago Gonzalez and Christian Leone
Thom Filicia, Dan Ragone, and Kerry Delrose
Dan Ragone Carol Smith James Druckman
Daniel Urzedo, Leticia Birkheuer, and Christian Leone
Thom Filicia, Margaret Russelll, and Nina Garcia
Caroline Brown, Dan Ragone, and Margaret Russell
Last Thursday night over at the American Museum of Natural History, the Junior Council, which is the museum’s membership group for New Yorkers from ages 22 to 39 (they will also let you older guys in too if you wanna buy a ticket) were treated to a private viewing of the museum’s newest exhibition, the much praised, GOLD, an exploration of the fascinating scientific and cultural story behind this rare and coveted element.
All this and a cocktail reception too. You can see how appealing it is to New Yorkers who want to get out and meet people in auspicious and fascinating circumstances. Co-chairs were: Christy Corgan, Sarah J. Crews, Lisa Kleinknecht, Zachary Pomerantz, Jordan and Heather Turkewitz, Dana Wallach Jones and Michael T. M. Jones, Bill and Beth Wilson. James D. Webster, Curator, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Chairman Division of Physical Sciences, spoke to the group about the exhibition. Mary C. Solomon was the Trustee host.
The American Museum of Natural History’s Junior Council is one of New York City’s most stimulating membership groups for young philanthropists. Founded in 1994, the Junior Council supports the Museum’s mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate—through scientific research and education—knowledge about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe. Each year, Members participate in specially arranged events that offer them an intimate view inside the Museum’s collections, activities, and exhibitions. Junior Council Members go behind the scenes at one of the world’s preeminent museums, meet some of the nation’s most distinguished and engaging scientists, and preview the latest exhibitions.
Grey Goose Vodka sponsored the evening, along with Louis M. Martini, Frei Brothers Reserve, FACE Stockholm, and Business Week.
Zachary and Kristina Fink
Kathryn Munson Beach and Merry Munson Wyatt
Co-chairs Michael T.M. Jones and Dana Wallach Jones with Sandra Goldmark and Michael Banta
Trustee Host Mary C. Solomon
Co-chair Christy Corgan and Dianna Jacob
Co-chair Sarah Crews, Sarah Somers, and Lauren Hochfelder Silverman
Nichole Wright and guest
Hadley King and Noah Yago
L. to r.: Marina Thompson and Jill Schneiderman having fun in the new Gold exhibition; Gail Karr, Jose Pincay-Delgado, Alison Minton, and James J. Killerlane
