On January 31, the New York Philharmonic hosted its annual Lunar New Year Concert & Gala, welcoming the Year of the Rabbit in the newly renovated David Geffen Hall. The Gala Co-Chairs were Angela Chen, Misook Doolittle, and Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang, with Honorary Chairs Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Greenberg. The Starr International Foundation was the Presenting Sponsor.
Conductor Long Yu led the Orchestra in a program of Asian and Western classical music, with works by Li Huanzhi, Qigang Chen, Guo Wenjing, Grieg, and Bernstein. Erhu player Yiwen Lu and violinist Ning Feng both made their NY Phil debuts on the concert.
Upon arrival, Gala guests were invited to walk the red carpet, then proceeded upstairs to a cocktail reception on the Leon and Norma Hess Grand Promenade. After the concert, guests returned to the Grand Promenade where tables were set with orange tablecloths, florals, and votive candles for a three-course dinner, inspired by the Year of the Rabbit.
The event was designed by Van Vliet and Trap and Andrew Grant and catered by CxRA.
Deborah Borda, the NY Phil’s Linda and Mitch Hart President & CEO, and NY Phil Board Co-Chairman Oscar Tang gave remarks at dinner, as did New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Adams and the Gala Co-Chairs were presented with stuffed rabbits in honor of the new year.
In total, the Gala raised over $1 million for the Philharmonic.
Attendees included: Deborah Borda (Linda and Mitch Hart President and CEO, New York Philharmonic), Long Yu (conductor), Yiwen Lu (erhu), Ning Feng (violin), New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Ambassador Ping Huang and Mme. Zhang Aiping, Consul General Euy Whan Kim and Sun Young Park, Elaine Fan (Director of Asian American Affairs, State of New York Executive Chamber), Oscar L. Tang (Co-Chairman, New York Philharmonic and Lunar New Year Gala Co-Chair) and HM Agnes Hsu-Tang (Lunar New Year Gala Co-Chair), Angela Chen (Lunar New Year Gala Co-Chair), Misook Doolittle (Lunar New Year Gala Co-Chair), Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Tania León, Jamie Bernstein, and Josie Natori.
On January 27th at the Astor House, the New York Junior League held its 12th annual Après Ski Event, this year with the theme of Winter Out West. It was a sold out event with nearly 400 attendees and raised $25,000. Cowboys and cowgirls hit the slopes for this winter fundraiser! Attendees dusted off their hats, kicked up their boots and decked out in their best denim duds to ride on down to the Astor House Ranch for a little dancin’ and a lot of good grub.
Since 1901, the New York Junior League (NYJL) has responded to New York City’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges. Powered by more than 2,300 women volunteers, the NYJL works with more than 60 community-based organizations to advance children’s social-emotional learning and to provide life skills programs to youth and adults who are navigating periods of difficult transition.
Julie Skarratt Photography, Chris Lee, & Linsley Lindekens (NY Phil); Bonnie Gillis (NYJL).
