On Tuesday night in David Geffen Hall, the New York Philharmonic hosted its annual Opening Gala & Concert, honoring the many contributions of visionary philanthropists Klara Silverstein and her husband, NY Phil Board Member Larry A. Silverstein. Manfred Honeck led the Orchestra in a program that featured Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture; a suite Honeck created of music from Puccini’s Turandot; as well as selections from Broadway and the popular songbook, sung by Josh Groban, which were announced from the stage. The encore included Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 1 and two additional selections sung by Groban.
Upon arrival, Gala guests were invited to walk the red carpet in the Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby; they then proceeded upstairs to a cocktail reception on the Leon and Norma Hess Grand Promenade, where drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres were served. After the concert, guests returned to the Grand Promenade where tables were set with wedgewood blue tablecloths, silver chairs, and floral arrangements of hydrangeas and orchids. NY Phil Special Advisor Deborah Borda and NY Phil Board Co-Chairmen Oscar L. Tang and Peter W. May gave remarks at dinner and Klara and Larry A. Silverstein — the evening’s honorees — also spoke.
The event was designed by Andrew Pascoe Flowers, Ltd. with lighting design by Andrew Grant, and was catered by CxRA.
In total, the Gala raised over $3.8 million for the Philharmonic and was attended by approximately 600 guests.
Attendees included: Deborah Borda (Executive Advisor, New York Philharmonic), Klara Silverstein (honoree), Larry A. Silverstein (honoree and NY Phil Board Member), Manfred Honeck (conductor), Josh Groban (soloist), Oscar L. Tang (Co-Chairman, New York Philharmonic) and HM Agnes Hsu-Tang, Peter W. May (Co-Chairman, New York Philharmonic) and Leni May, Opening Gala Co-Chairs Dr. Kathryn Beal, Karen and Richard LeFrak, Joan and Joel Picket, Susan and Elihu Rose, and Didi and Oscar S. Schafer (Chairman Emeritus, New York Philharmonic). Also in attendance were Jamie and Alex Bernstein and Nina Bernstein Simmons, Kimberly and Neil Bluhm, Maile Carpenter and Wylie Dufresne, k.d. lang, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Whitney and Andrew Mogavero, Margo and James L. Nederlander (NY Phil Board Member), Khady Kamara Nunez, Mariko Silver (President and CEO, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts), Tina and Steve Swartz, Barbara Tober, and Diana Wang.
On Friday, September 20th, close to 600 young patrons from the city’s real estate, finance, tech, hospitality, and creative industries attended the third annual Director’s Circle Benefit at the Museum of the City of New York, a highly anticipated event designed exclusively for those 35 and under.
Led by the Directors Circle Party Committee Bates Crawford, Colin Duncan, Billy Hobbs, Terrell Kikis, Robert Leva, Felix Schliemann, and Francesca Walton; co-chairs Bo Curry, Victoria Herman, and James Karr, and vice chairs Adèle Bernhard, Callum Brown, Farran Brown, Jared Cordover, Jack Curry, Kayli Cutler, Téa Cuvelier, Jackie Fletcher, Nina Godridge, Nick Godridge, Joe Hanson, Lucia Johnson, Alexander Karr, Bunny Laughlin, Rob Rappleye, John Rose, Emily Rose, and Megan Zuckerman, the sold-out event raised over $100,000 for programming at MCNY.
“This event is more than just a gathering of the next generation of leaders in New York; it’s a unique opportunity to be inspired by the rich heritage of our city while supporting a cherished cultural institution and its exhibitions and community programs,” said Bo Curry, Co-Chair of the Director’s Circle Leadership Committee.
Delicious bites and cocktails were provided by sponsors including Betty Booze, CAIS, Harlem Shake, HollyJolly Foundation, Jean’s, Pantalones Organic Tequila, Marigay McKee Powers & Frederic Powers, Pepsi Cola, and RUDIN, while guests danced to tunes spun by DJ FLO, and explored MCNY’s exhibitions.
Launched in 2022, the Director’s Circle is an event-driven committee of young professionals. As the next generation of New York City’s leaders, the Director’s Circle guides and invests in the future of the Museum through special events, exclusive NYC experiences, and engaging conversations with curators, business leaders, and the art world.
The country’s first and largest city museum, the Museum of the City of New York fosters an understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis. Through history, popular culture, and art, the Museum explores New York City’s influence nationally and globally. Named the “Best Museum” in Time Out New York‘s “Best of the City 2021,” MCNY holds a 750,000-object collection and hosts two permanent exhibitions, two immersive films, and four rotating exhibitions in its historic building at the top of Museum Mile.
