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Castleton's Evening of Music

5/26/2015

Dietlinde Turban Maazel and Daisy Soros hosted an "Evening of Music" to honor the legacy of Maestro Lorin Maazel and to benefit the 2015 Castleton Festival on Wednesday, May 13th, at 6:30 PM in New York City. Alec Baldwin, Lang Lang, Sherrill Milnes, Vale Rideout, and some rising stars of the Castleton Festival joined in the celebration, at a private Manhattan club, which included a moving tribute film, musical performances, guest speakers, as well as a formal dinner.

The evening began with Dietlinde Turban Maazel, wife of the late Maestro Lorin Maazel, introducing a sentimental film in honor of the Maestro's dedication to aspiring musicians. Alec Baldwin, joined by his wife Hilaria Baldwin in the audience, introduced the artists and performances.

The Evening’s Program

“Zueignung” by Richard Strauss performed by Stephen Saharic

“Quia Fecit Mihi Magna” from Magnificat by Johann Sebastian Bach performed by Davone Tines

“Ain’t It A Pretty Night?” from Susannah by Carlysle Floyd performed by Cristin Colvin

“Ah! Lève-Toi, Soleil!” from Roméo Et Juliette by Charles Gounod performed by Vale Rideout

“Carmen Fantasie” by Franz Waxman performed by Eric Silberger

“La Ci Darem La Mano” from Don Giovanni by W. A. Mozart performed by Cristin Colvin and Stephen Saharic

“Sonnet” by Benjamin Britten performed by Vale Rideout

“What If This Present?” from Holy Sonnets Of John Donne performed by Vale Rideout

“Winter Words” from The Choirmaster’s Burial performed by Vale Rideout

“Were You There / Every Time” “I Feel The Spirit” performed by Davone Tines

“O Soave Fanciulla” from La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini performed by Cristin Colvin and Vale Rideout

“Liebestraum” by Franz Liszt performed by Lang Lang

“Nocturne C-Sharp Minor” by Frédéric Chopin performed by Lang Lang

Governor Andrew Cuomo sent a warm message saying “Music is a universal language and a powerful aspect of human expression, and we recognize and treasure the efforts of those who generously share their musical abilities for the enjoyment and edification of others. I commend Artistic and Executive Director Dietlinde Turban Maazel and all those affiliated with the Castleton Festival. I applaud, as well, those who come together this evening, for their unwavering support and generous involvement that contributes so significantly to the important master artist mentoring programs.”

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The 2015 El Museo Gala

5/21/2015

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El Museo del Barrio’s sold out annual spring Gala was held on Thursday, May 14th at The Plaza Hotel in New York. Board member Yolanda Santos was presented with the Joseph A. Unanue Trustee Leadership Award by long-time friend Marifé Hernández; Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Time Warner Inc., Lisa Garcia Quiroz, received the Corporate Excellence in the Arts Awards presented by Lin-Manuel Miranda; and the Founder and President of Fundación Jumex Arte Contemporáneo, Eugenio López Alonso, was honored with the Excellence in the Arts Award presented by Jane Holzer. Christofle again generously donated the three silver awards for the Gala. Cocktails, including specialty tequila concoctions , began at 7pm in the Terrace Room. Dinner and dancing to music by Avenida B followed at 8pm in the Grand Ballroom. This year’s Gala borrowed its aesthetic themes from El Museo´s current exhibition, which explores the work and legacy of Mexican cinematographer, Gabriel Figueroa. The event was designed by Jeronimo Gaxiola and featured a multidisciplinary performance by Erika Harrsch in collaboration with singer Magos Herrera. An emotional appeal was led by Sotheby’s, Gabriela Palmieri. The Gala raised 1 million dollars for the museum.

Maria Eugenia Maury who, with her husband William A. Haseltine, chaired the Gala said “My husband and I were proud to chair this year’s Gala as it accompanies a renaissance for our institution. We celebrated an ambitious new director, new board leadership, and a brilliant slate of exhibitions. This year’s honorees are outstanding individuals who support the arts and our Latin community. Like El Museo, their impact is international. The enthusiasm for all this was reflected in our gala, which sold out, through longtime supporters and new.” Maria Eugenia wore a Giorgio Armani, black label black satin evening gown with Swarovski crystal embroidery applique and a Prive black fishnet mantilla with giant black patent paillettes.

The Young Gala Committee Chairs included Jamie Diamond, Karla Farach de Athanasopoulos, Jessica Garza-Bueron, Karina Palma, Jana Pasquel de Shapiro, and Leticia Pittman Presutti.

The Honorary Committee included Pedro Almodóvar, Miguel Bosé, Maria Cornejo, Ambassador Sandra Fuentes (Consul General of Mexico), Erika Harrsch, Magos Herrera, Ambassador and Mrs. Jorge Montaño (Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations), Dascha Polanco, Candy Pratts Price, Narciso Rodriguez, Andres Serrano, Maricruz and Ray Smith, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, and Iké Udé.

El Museo del Barrio, the nation’s leading Latin American museum, is known for its wide-ranging collections, groundbreaking exhibitions, complemented by film, literary, visual and performing arts series, cultural celebrations, and educational programs.

This spring the museum showcases Mexican art and culture in grand cinematic style. The central event of this celebration is the exhibition “UNDER THE MEXICAN SKY: Gabriel Figueroa—Art and Film,” which explores the work and legacy of Mexican cinematographer, Gabriel Figueroa, one of the most renowned cinematographers of the 20th Century. Figueroa worked both in Mexico and Hollywood during the Golden Age of Cinema and built an enduring image of Mexico though his visionary style. El Museo’s Spring Gala borrowed its aesthetic themes from the exhibition, which is on view now through June 27, 2015.

The Gala was Black Tie. Inspired by Figueroa’s black and white work, ladies were asked to dress in black and white with gloves and veils. The Official Milliner of the Gala was hat designer Patricia Underwood, who has designed numerous veils and custom-order veils for ladies the Gala. Patricia designed a special veil for actress Dascha Polanco, whose gown was by Badgley Mischka.

"Our gala does what others do, yet more. It expresses the celebratory spirit of Latin Americans. We embody the Gala with style and dance. Our Gala is an outpouring of support for the work of El Museo and the presence of Latin Americans in New York. Presenting our culture to the widest possible audience is our duty and our joy,” said Jorge Daniel Veneciano, Executive Director, El Museo del Barrio.

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The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards Announces 2015 Nominations

5/20/2015

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On Monday, May 4, 2015, The 33rd Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards were announced by New York Post Theater Critic Michael Riedel at Villagio on the Park restaurant.

Each year since the inception of the awards in 1982, The Fred and Adele Astaire Awards honor outstanding achievement in dance and on the Broadway stage. The mission of the Awards is to honor individual dancers and choreographers for their dedication, passion and artistic vision that they bring to their performances.

Festivities started with Astaire Awards Director Patricia Watt welcoming everyone to the party sharing that for the first time ever, all nominees have received a certificate celebrating their nomination. Lauren Penn then spoke and thanked Watt for everything she has done to bring dance back into the forefront of Broadway. Event emcee New York Post Theater Critic Michael Riedel started the night by sharing his admiration for all the dancers before announcing all nominees to the assembled crowd.

The nominees for Best Female Dancer are: Annaleigh Ashford (You Can’t Take It with You); Leanne Cope (American In Paris); Jill Paice (American In Paris); Megan Fairchild (On The Town); Erin Davie (Sideshow); Emily Padgett (Sideshow); XiaoChuan Xie (The King and I); Melanie Moore (Finding Neverland).

The nominees for Best Male Dancer are: Robert Fairchild (American In Paris); Clyde Alves (On The Town); Tony Yazbeck (On The Town); Jay Armstrong Johnson (On The Town); Philip Attmore (On The Twentieth Century); Rick Faugno (On The Twentieth Century); Drew King (On The Twentieth Century); Richard Riaz Yoder (On The Twentieth Century); Christian Borle (Something Rotten); Alex Sharp (The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-Time).

The nominees for Best Choreographer are: Christopher Wheeldon (American In Paris); Joshua Bergasse (On The Town); Christopher Gattelli (The King and I); Warren Carlyle (On The Twentieth Century); Casey Nicholaw (Something Rotten); Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly (The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time); Steven Hoggett (The Last Ship); Mia Michaels (Finding Neverland)

Notable guests at the cocktail party included: Michael Riedel (Emcee, New York Post Theater Critic); Patricia Watt (President, Astaire Awards); Clyde Alves (Nominee); Phillip Attmore (Nominee); Joshua Bergasse (Nominee); Warren Carlyle (Nominee); Erin Davie (Nominee); Megan Fairchild (On The Town); Rick Faugno (Nominee); Christopher Gatelli (Nominee); Jay Armstrong Johnson (Nominee); Drew King (Nominee); Emily Padgett (Nominee); Jill Paice (Nominee); XiaoChuan Xie (Nominee); Tony Yazbeck (Nominee); Richard Riaz Yoder (Nominee); Wendy Federman (Honorary Chair, Producer); Holt McCallany (actor); Lee Roy Reams (Board Member, Actor); Jean Shafiroff (Event Chair); Michele Herbert (Benefit Chair); Lucia Hwong Gordon.

This Year’s awards event on Monday June 1st, 2015 will begin with a VIP cocktail reception and an evening featuring musical and theatrical performances from On the Town, Finding Neverland, New York Spectacular and many more.

This year’s Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement award winner is Oscar, Tony and Golden Globe winning actor and dancer Joel Grey. American film producer and film executive Harvey Weinstein will receive the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre and Film.

The ceremony will be chaired by David Schiff and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and proceeds from the event will benefit non-profit organization, The Douglas Watt Family Fund.

The Nominating Committee Chair for the 33rd Annual Awards is Wendy Federman, and the composition of the nominee Committee includes Nikki Atkins, Don Correia, Sandy Duncan, Wendy Federman, Jonathan Herzog-Sheffield, Judith Jamison, Anna Kisselgoff, Pia Lindstrom, Donna McKechnie, Bruce Michael, Mary McColl, Michael Milton and Mary Beth O’Connor.

About The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards

The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards Established in 1982, formerly known as The Astaire Awards, recognizes outstanding achievement in dance on Broadway each season. The award was established with the cooperation of Fred Astaire to honor him and his sister, Adele, who starred with her brother in ten Broadway musicals between 1917 and 1931. The Awards remain the gold standard for excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway. Since 1982, additional awards have been added to the lineup, including an award for choreography in film, a lifetime achievement award, and a unique award determined annually for exceptional contribution to the field.

For more information, visit www.theastaireawards.org/

Photography by Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan.com

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Friends of Hermione Lafayette in America Dinner

5/20/2015

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On Wednesday, April 22nd a special dinner by chef Daniel Boulud celebrated the world-premiere of Lafayette, which was commissioned by Miles Young.

The evening began at 7:30 in FIAF’s Florence Gould Hall, where Marquis de Lafayette was reborn in the world-premiere of Lafayette. Inspired by the letters between the young Lafayette and his wife, the play tells the story of the 19-year-old man who sailed to America as a volunteer soldier and became the youngest general in George Washington’s army. Written by Ian Curteis, directed by John Michael DiResta, and produced by Robert Lear. Paul-Emile Cendron and Becca Ballenger starred in the production. The play was co-presented by FIAF and the Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America. It was a celebration of Hermione Voyage 2015: the sailing of a fully reconstructed version of the Hermione, which Lafayette sailed to American in 1780 in aid of the American Revolution, across the Atlantic and up the eastern coast of the United States.

“The premiere of this specially commissioned play,” says Young, “was a fantastic way to kick off the American program for the Hermione, which has started its journey to the States. It brilliantly evoked the spirit of “Why Not?” and you could feel the energy in the theater afterwards.”

Playwright Curteis echoed Young’s assessment, saying, “There was a sense of exhilaration in the air, at both the performance and dinner, that this superb project of the Hermione is coming together and people are really excited by it.”

Guests who attended include: Tony Bechara, Ian Curteis, Amy Hargreaves, Benedicte de Montlaur, Daniel Morel, Jean Kennedy Smith, and Miles Young.

Following the performance, Chef Daniel Boulud presented a special three-course dinner in FIAF’s Le Skyroom to benefit the Hermione Voyage 2015. Catherine Godbille-Koechlin, Pascale Richard, and Wendy Riches were the dinner chairs.

Richard, who is the Director of Education, Exhibitions and Cultural Programs for the Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America said of the evening, "The play was an opportunity for many people to freshen up on their knowledge on Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, and for many to discover his wife Adrienne de Noailles. Our next Hermione event in New York will be an exhibition at the New York Historical Society at the end of May."

Photos via Getty Images.

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2015 We Are Family Foundation Celebration Gala + Special Concert

5/12/2015

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We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), a not-profit organization founded by legendary songwriter and producer Nile Rodgers, hosted its annual Celebration Gala, honoring Caryl M. Stern, Bill McDermott and Chaka Khan, and featured a special concert with Nile Rodgers & Chic with Chaka Khan, on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.

The event was attended by more than 500 guests and the money raised furthers WAFF’s global youth initiatives, Three Dot Dash and TEDxTeen. These initiatives support, mentor and provide platforms for extraordinary global teens to amplify their social entrepreneurial work that positively impacts communities in more than 60 countries.

The night kicked off with a star-studded red carpet and cocktail hour with guests including Nile Rodgers (Founder & Chairman, We Are Family Foundation; Producer, Musician and Songwriter), Nancy Hunt (President, We Are Family Foundation), Chaka Khan (Humanitarian Award recipient; Musical Guest, Singer-Songwriter), Bill McDermott (Visionary Award recipient; President & CEO of SAP), Caryl M. Stern (Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award recipient; President & CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF), Grandmaster Melle Mel (Hip-Hop Artist; Special Musical Guest)

Rosanna Scotto (Host; Anchor, Fox Good Day New York), Greg Kelly (Host; Anchor, Fox Good Day New York), Jess Teutonico (Executive Director, We Are Family Foundation), Nicholas Lowinger (Founder, Gotta Have Sole), Ryan Orbuch (Founder, Finish App), Susan Rockefeller (Board of Directors, We Are Family Foundation; Documentary Filmmaker)

Nicole and Matthew Mellon (Board of Governors, We Are Family Foundation), Daniel and Ellen Crown (Board of Directors, We Are family Foundation), Tom Silverman (Director Emeritus, We Are Family Foundation; Founder & CEO of Tommy Boy Entertainment), Susan Mufson (Board of Governors, We Are Family Foundation; Activist & Philanthropist), Benjamin Quinto (Board of Governors, We Are Family Foundation; GM Natural-Immunogenics Corp;
Founder, Global Youth Action Network), Maria Bartiromo (Fox News Anchor), Donna D’Cruz (Founder of Rasa Living, Meditation Guru & DJ/Performer), Phil Donahue (Media Personality, Host of the Phil Donahue Show)

Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner), Inez + Vinoodh (Fashion Photographers), Anthony Mason (Senior Correspondent for Business and Economics for CBS), Q-Tip (Rapper and Music Producer), RZA (Rapper and Music Producer), Denise Rich (Philanthropist), David and Susan Rockefeller (Philanthropist and Past Honorees), Marlo Thomas (Actress & Philanthropist).

After an introduction by Rosanna Scotto and Greg Kelly, Nile Rodgers welcomed everyone to the event saying he was “humbled and blown away,” by everyone in attendance. He then went on to share that although each year’s honorees are amazing, this year he was particularly moved to honor Chaka Khan, someone he has looked up to for decades. Following his remarks, he welcomed President of WAFF and his partner Nancy Hunt. Speaking about the global teens WAFF works with in more than 60 countries, she said, “They don’t believe in no, only in why not”. She then introduced WAFF’s new Executive Director, Jess Teutonico, sharing her story of starting out with WAFF as a Three Dot Dash Mentor, followed by Curator for TEDxTeen to her current position as Executive Director. Jess shared WAFF’s aim to “empower game changing youth to positively challenge the status quo.” She introduced 17 year-old Nicholas Lowinger, founder of Gotta Have Sole and a CNN Hero who founded his organization after visiting homeless shelters as a young boy. He realized that by not having shoes that fit, children in shelters miss out on a lot of opportunities and suffer from low self-esteem. He started Gotta Have Sole at age 12 and became a WAFF Global Teen Leader (GTL) through its Three Dot Dash program in 2013. Since becoming a GTL, his organization has impacted more than 35,000 kids across the country.

Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peacemaker Award honoree Caryl M. Stern, President & CEO of The U.S. Fund for UNICEF, was introduced by her two sons James and Lee LaRosa. After a video introduction featuring her travels to aide children in refugee camps and her dedication to helping children across the world, Dr. Jeni Stepanek, mother of the late Mattie J.T. Stepanek whom the award is named after, started her introduction with a recording of a poem written and recited by Mattie. She shared that Stern and Mattie held similar beliefs in that all children should have the opportunity to achieve all dreams and they both embrace opportunities for peace. Stern, shared that it was her mother who instilled within her the belief that one person can make a difference. She dedicated her award to the four UNICEF aide workers who lost their lives in a bombing in Somalia earlier in the week, saying that they had dedicated their lives to ensuring children could have a better future.

Maria Bartiromo introduced the Visionary Award honoree, SAP President and CEO Bill McDermott. Following a video presentation which included SAP employees and guest appearances from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Former Golf Player Gary Player and Bono, he spoke to the crowd and said, “You can get anything you want in this life if you help other people get what they want.”

Following McDermott’s speech Toby Usnik of Christie’s led an exciting live auction raising more than $250,000.

Following the auction, Nile Rodgers presented Chaka Khan with the Humanitarian Award. After accepting the award, she joined Nile Rodgers and CHIC for three songs, “Feel For You”, “I’m Every Woman” and “Ain’t Nobody” with a special appearance by Grandmaster Melle Mel. Nile Rodgers and CHIC played their hits at the end of the night, including their new single “I’ll Be There, and ended with the audience joining the band on stage as they performed “We Are Family” and their signature song, “Le Freak”.

Photography by Shahar Azran

About We Are Family Foundation

We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) is a non-profit organization that's dedicated to the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that promote cultural diversity while nurturing the vision, talents, and ideas of young people who are positively changing the world. Through global initiatives like Three Dot Dash and TEDxTeen, WAFF has mentored and empowered extraordinary teens from more than 60 countries on six continents by giving them platforms to share their messages, tell their stories, inspire others, amplify their work and foster respect and understanding across cultures.

For more information visit wearefamilyfoundation.org

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2015 AAFA American Image Awards

5/12/2015

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The 37th Annual AAFA American Image Awards presented by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) on April 28th at 583 Park Avenue drew attendance from 380 members of the global fashion and footwear industries, and raised more than three quarters of a million dollars for Mercy Ships.

“This year’s AIA honorees are giants in the fashion industry, and this night is our chance to celebrate them and their achievements. It is also an honor to be supporting Mercy Ships for its life--‐ changing work around the world,” said President and CEO of AAFA Juanita D. Duggan. In her remarks, Duggan also said, “No other event brings the creative force of this industry together with the business and the policy side.”

Rick Helfenbein, AAFA Chairman and President of TellaS Ltd., congratulated the slate of honorees as he opened the event.

The 2015 American Image Awardees are: Company of the Year: Brown Shoe Company accepted by Diane Sullivan, CEO, President and Chairman; Retailer of the Year: Holt Renfrew accepted by Mark Derbyshire, President; Person of the Year: Claudio Del Vecchio, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Brooks Brothers Group, Inc.; Designer of the Year: Cynthia Rowley accepted by the namesake designer Cynthia Rowley; and Fashion Maverick: Kelly Osbourne, Television Personality, Fashion Designer, and Actress.

A few highlights of the evening included a surprise congratulatory video for Kelly Osbourne from her good buddy Taylor Swift who was on tour and unable to attend. Designer of the Year Cynthia Rowley also added much laughter to the room by ‘starring’ in her own video wearing seven disguises and commenting on her own work. But one of the most moving moments of the awards came when AAFA President & CEO Juanita D. Duggan recognized Mercy Ships Chairman Mike Ullman, also CEO of JC Penney, and Don Stephens, Founder of Mercy Ships, following a very emotional video of the charity’s work.

AAFA unveiled a new award statuette at this year’s gala. Renowned artist Ruben Toledo designed the statuette. Toledo said, “The importance of fashion as a global industry is symbolized by the heroic stylized figures portraying diversity through the use of different metals representing humanity in living color, which for me, is what validates fashion trade and commerce. The globe at the base of the award defined by fashion products instead of continents, illustrates the idea that we are connected through creativity and all speak the same fashion language. America’s fashion influence truly is global and is represented by the work and support of AAFA and its membership.”

Mazar wore a gown designed by Isabel Toledo and that was inspired by the new award statuette.

In her acceptance speech, Osbourne thanked her mother and father, and gave an emotional nod to Joan Rivers. She also beautifully echoed one of the evening’s themes, saying, “Everyone in this room has so much to be thankful for, and we as the fashion industry have to continue to give back.”

Other celebrities joining Debi Mazar, Kelly Osbourne, and Ruben and Isabel Toledo, along with the industry’s top CEOs in the room included: Actress Jill Hennessy from “Law & Order” and “Crossing Jordan;” Iman Obou, Miss New York 2015; Lea Black from “Real Housewives of Miami;” and K. Lee Graham, Miss Teen USA 2014.

About AAFA
Representing more than 1,000 world famous name brands, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders, its four million U.S. workers, and its contribution of $361 billion in annual U.S. retail sales.

Photography via GettyImages.

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Castleton's Evening of Music

The 2015 El Museo Gala

The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards Announces 2015 Nominations

Friends of Hermione Lafayette in America Dinner

2015 We Are Family Foundation Celebration Gala + Special Concert

2015 AAFA American Image Awards

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