The weather could not have been more perfect for the Southampton Rose Society to hold its Annual Cocktail Party and silent auction in the beautiful gardens of Carole and Fred Guest in Southampton Village. Guests enjoyed cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres while listening to live Bossa Nova jazz by Ludmilla Brazil.
Seen among the roses were Audrey and Martin Gruss, Fern Mallis, Melanie and John Wambold, Annaliese Soros, Greg D’Elia, Valentin and Yaz Hernandez, Rosalie Briton, Nancy Stone, Lyn Hamer, Jim Berkrot (President), Michael Staples and Cindy Willis.
The organization, founded in 1976, is dedicated to the cultivation and preservation of roses. It is an affiliate of the American Rose Society and members in the Society include rose enthusiasts, horticulturalists, professionals, gardening hobbyists, and individuals who simply share a love of our national flower.
Proceeds from the event will support the organization’s initiatives which include the maintenance of five gardens in the Village of Southampton and educational gardening workshops throughout the year. For more information, visit Southamptonrose.org
News from abroad, Salzburg Austria: Marifé Hernández and Joel Bell hosted a dinner at the Sacher Hotel’s Wintergarten reuniting friends of the Vienna Philharmonic Society USA and Salzburg Festival Society USA for a celebration of Salzburg Festival’s 100th Anniversary.
Among the guests were violinist Hannah Cho of New York and trombonist Kelton Koch of Texas — two members of the first graduating class of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Academy and playing with the Vienna State Opera Orchestra. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Academy, a longtime ambition of the Orchestra, was founded in the summer of 2018 to train talented young musicians in the unique musical style of the Vienna Philharmonic. Significant annual funding from the Vienna Philharmonic Society USA made the dream a reality and ensured the inclusion of American students in every biennial class.
A pianist serenaded guests during cocktails and the fine continental meal that finished with a traditional Austrian dessert and specialty of the Hotel, Sacher Savarin (biscuit and fresh fruits soaked in rum, doused with vanilla cream).
Members of the Board of the Vienna Philharmonic Society joining Marifé (who serves as Chairman) and Joel included Maria and Matthias Ederer, Caroline and Max Jahn, Theodora and Albert Simons, Pamela and Sedgwick Ward, as well as Helga Rabl-Stadler (President, Salzburg Festival), Lukas Crepaz (Executive Director, Salzburg Festival), Nabil Chartouni (President, Salzburg Festival Society USA), Joseph Bartning (Executive Director, Salzburg Festival Society USA), Daniel Froschauer (VPO Chairman) and Anna Knopp, Michael Bladerer (VPO General Manager), Catherine Adler and Helmut Koller, Katharine and Wolfgang Aulitzky, Dr’s. Mary and Augustine Choi, Angelina Eschauzier, Carole and John French, Elisabeth Guertler (Managing Director, Hotel Sacher), Neline Heindl, Dr’s Margaret and Ananth Natarajan, Jay Nordlinger, Dr. Michael Stewart, Meg and Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff, Dorothée Volpini and Francis O’Neil, Ambassador Helene von Damm and Franck Laverdin, Thea von Oswald Flanigan, and Ferdinand von Strantz.
Back in Southampton … Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research raised over $2.3 million, for blood cancer research at the Angel Ball Summer Gala. Denise Rich and her daughters Daniella Rich Kilstock and Ilona Rich Schachter hosted the event in memory of Gabrielle Rich Aouad, to benefit Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, which funds the best and brightest early career scientists whose research focuses on finding less toxic treatments for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other related blood cancers.
Jill Martin, host of Shop TODAY with Jill Martin and Lifestyle Contributor to the TODAY Show served as the emcee for the event, which honored Simone I. Smith, Designer & Co-Founder Simone I. Smith jewelry, and legendary model Maye Musk. Dinner chairs included Mary J. Blige and Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch along with Honorary Chair, Brock Pierce Foundation.
The evening began with a circus- themed cocktail reception with music by DJ Mad Marj, and DJ Kyle Kxtz. Guests then moved into the dinner and reception under the Big Top – where they danced the night away to music by DJ Cassidy and an unforgettable performance by Flo Rida.
Other highlights from the evening included remarks from cancer survivor Danielle Merollo who spoke about the life-saving impact that cancer research had on her treatment and recovery. It was announced that Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research will fund seven new research scientists. An investment by the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research will fund two of these research projects, one at the University of Chicago and another at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, in Philadelphia. Additionally, the evening’s honorary chair, Brock Pierce made a $100,000 contribution via cryptocurrency, the first crypto donation in the Foundation’s history.
Later in the evening, Star Jones led a paddle raise to help raise funds and Melyora de Koning, Senior Special Phillips Auction, led the event’s highly anticipated live auction which featured exclusive opportunities and items – including an original Peter Tunney; a luxury vacation to Discover Albany, Bahamas; Lorraine Schwartz earrings and a one-of-a-kind digital NFT artwork by Marcel Van Luit and Cutting Edge Apollo.
Notable guests who were in attendance included: LL Cool J, Isaac Boots, Lorraine Schwartz, Dr. Stephen Nimer, Pritika Swarup, Fer da Silva, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Blosette Kitson, Jean Shafiroff, Ronny Kobo, Stalking Gia, Dottie Herman, Cuba Gooding, Jr. Russell Simmons, Jonathan Tisch, Frank Rella, Michele Rella, Jean Shafiroff, Maribel Lieberman, Lizzie Asher, Casey Kohlberg, Nitin Gambhir and Elena Ulansky of Tethys Art, and many others.
CharityBuzz is hosting an online auction until August 31st, which includes incredible celebrity experiences from Bryan Adams, Isaac Calipto, and luxury items and experiences from Porsche Designs, Heliflite, di Modolo, Haute Living, Americana Manhasset, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Nesso and Simone I. Smith jewelry.
Artsy.net is hosting an online auction featuring exclusive art from artists including Aerosyn-Lex Meštrović, Brandon Ralph, Charlotte Colbert, Donald Baechler, Fernando Allende, Gilda Garza, Henry Hudson, Irvin Pascal, John Newsom, Jonathan Schofield, Johan Wahlstrom, Jordan Betten, Keelin Montzingo, Kenny Schachter, Mr. Brainwash, Nick Moss, Philip Colbert, Romero Britto, Ross Pino, Unit Gallery and Vaughn Davis, through August 31st.
Porsche, Flow Water and Nourishe were the Presenting Sponsors of the evening. Additional sponsors include Apollo Digital Art, Belvedere Vodka, Douglas Ellman Real Estate, Haute Living and Hampton Water Rosé.
Guests also had the opportunity to bring home a fabulous gift bag, which included items from: Apollo Digital Art, Fabletics, Grande Cosmetics, Heliflite, Ivan Wilzig, KOKOSTAR USA, Le Metier De Beaute, MAC Cosmetics, Nate, Nesso, Nourishe, Peter Thomas Roth, Porsche Cars North America, Inc., Quotable Cards, Inc., Rare Bird, S.I.S. Luxe Lacquer, Skin + CO, Smashmallow, Sound, Tech Candy, Vita Liberata and Wen by Chaz Dean.
For more information about Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, visit gabriellesangels.org.
Also in Southampton, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) hosted its 8th Annual Collaborating for a Cure Ladies Luncheon at T-Bar. The luncheon honored Jean Shafiroff for her continual support of SWCRF; and featured a live fashion show by renowned designer Kobi Halperin, who showcased his Fall 2021 fashions and introduced his newest blouse collection. The event was a tremendous success raising $100,000 towards cancer research.
Notable attendees included: Marion Waxman, Dr. Samuel Waxman, Pamela Morgan, Nancy Litman, Helen Vaysman, Maria Fishel, Chris Arlotta, Erica Fineberg, Andrea Wernick, NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Jessica Mackin, Leesa Rowland, Karen Klopp, Randi Schatz, Maribel Lieberman, Nicole Noonan, Ruth Miller, Lucia Hwong Gordon, David Hochberg, Paulo Yoshida.
“For the past seven years the Ladies Luncheon was held in May at a private residence but had to be cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Marion Waxman, chair of the event. “Now with most people vaccinated, we were thrilled to bring donors and supporters together again, to raise vital funds for cancer research.”
The foundation announced its commitment to funding renowned scientists around the world working on discovering new treatments for breast and ovarian cancers. Currently, SWCRF is investing in 13 researchers as part of its Women’s Cancer Research Program. With funds raised from this event, SWCRF will be expanding this program in 2022.
The event Chairs are Marion Waxman and Pamela Morgan with co-chairs Erica Linden-Fineberg, Nancy Litman, Lauren Silvers and Helen Vaysman. The Committee includes Chris Arlotta, Karen Amster-Young, Maria Elena Christiansen, Maria Fishel, Katarina Frangenberg, Michelle Russell Johnson, Norah Lawlor, Deanna Passarelli, Andrea Wernick and Marcy Whitman.
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is an international organization dedicated to curing and preventing cancer. The Foundation is a pioneer in cancer research and its mission is to eradicate cancer by funding cutting-edge research that identifies and corrects abnormal gene function that causes cancer and develops minimally toxic treatments for patients. Through the Foundation’s collaborative group of world-class scientists, the Institute Without Walls, investigators share information and tools to speed the pace of cancer research. Since its inception in 1976, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has awarded more than $100 million to support the work of more than 200 researchers across the globe.
For more information about the SWCRF research, visit www.waxmancancer.org.
Photographs by Lisa Tamburini (Rose); Getty Images (Gabrielle’s Angel); Rob Rich/Society Allure (Gabrielle’s Angel & Waxman); Patrick McMullan (Waxman).
