Category: Cipriani 42nd Street

‘Collaborating for a Cure’ Benefit Dinner and Auction

12/23/2014

Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) hosted its ‘Collaborating for a Cure’ Benefit Dinner and Auction, honoring fashion designers Cushnie et Ochs, and featuring a special musical performance by six-time Grammy award winner Ziggy Marley, on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at Cipriani Wall Street. The annual event, now in its seventeenth year, raised $2.5 million to support the Waxman Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer.

Notable guest attendees included Dr. Samuel Waxman (Founder and CEO of Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation), Michael and Elin Nierenberg (17th Annual Collaborating for a Cure Hosts), Chris Wragge (Co-Anchor of CBS 2 News This Morning), Carly Cushnie (Honoree; Fashion Designer and Co-founder of Cushnie et Ochs), Michelle Ochs (Honoree; Fashion Designer and Co-founder of Cushnie et Ochs), Ziggy Marley (Special Musical Guest), Robert Kantor (President of SWCRF), Hugh Hildesley (Executive Vice President & Auctioneer of Sotheby’s), Spencer Waxman (Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation Board of Directors), Mary Kantor (Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation Honorary Board Member), James Frankel (Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation Board of Directors), and Ruth Finley (Founder of Fashion Calendar).

The event was attended by more than 750 corporate executives, board members, and their guests. The money raised will support the Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer by reprogramming cancer cells and to deliver tailored, minimally toxic treatments to patients. The scientists funded by the SWCRF have made significant breakthroughs in cancer research, including identifying pathways to deliver novel therapies to treat cancer.

SWCRF Collaborating for a Cure host Michael Nierenberg gave his opening remarks, welcoming guests to the Dinner & Auction and thanking the SWCRF’s many supporters for their continued efforts to raise funds for cancer research. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies Chris Wragge then took the stage to introduce Dr. Samuel Waxman whose remarks highlighted the importance of investing in cancer research and developing less toxic therapies for cancer patients of all ages, particularly senior citizens who are unable to tolerate the intensity of chemotherapy. After dinner, Wragge welcomed honorees Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs to the stage. Carly Cushnie said she and Michelle were “thankful to support a cause close to so many hearts.” She described the privilege they had of visiting Dr. Waxman’s laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and gaining a better understanding of his work, which she described as “mind-blowing.”

The evening’s exciting live auction, led by Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice President of Sotheby’s Auction House, offered guests the opportunity to bid on exclusive items such as two black Labrador puppies which received winning bids of $9,000 and $8,000. Guests were able to bid on an exclusive opportunity to meet Ziggy Marley and receive a guitar autographed by the reggae superstar, which sold to the highest bidder for $23,000. The highest bid of the night, $100,000, went to a luxurious five-night cruise in the Bahamas aboard an M/Y Serque private yacht. Other packages included an Official F1 Opus Champions Grand Prix Experience, which sold for $40,000; an America’s Cup Yacht Race experience captained by former America’s Cup Team Members, sold three times for $11,000 each; a Golf Outing at Hamptons Hills Country Club in Westhampton Beach for 24 People including lunch, 18-holes and a post-golf cocktail party, sold for $13,000; a painting by Peter Lik sold for $15,000; and a one-of-a-kind abstract painting by Harold Garde titled “Drimmed” sold for $20,000. Online auction items – including a 5-night stay in a 3-bedroom residence in Aspen next to The Little Nell and Aspen mountain; a 4-night stay in an ocean view room at Hilton Los Cabos & Golf Resort with airfare for 2; and a 5-night Rome Getaway at St. Regis Grand Hotel with airfare for two – will be available for bidding online at Charitybuzz.com until December 10, 2014. After the auction, guests were treated to an exclusive, live performance by Ziggy Marley.

Known affectionately by New Yorkers as “The Waxman,” the yearly fête is considered to be among the top fundraising events in New York City. In recent years, “The Waxman” has raised several million dollars to support the Waxman Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer. Past celebrity supporters have included the Warren Hayes Band, Kid Rock, Chevy Chase, Steely Dan, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, and Counting Crows.

The Event Chairs were: Dale and Peter Claman, Lynn and Wes Edens, Katie and Scott Eichel, Kristen and Johan Eveland, Maria and Kenneth Fishel, Alyssa and Clifford Greenberg, Mary Henry and Howard Rubin, Gary Jacob, Diane and Adam Katz, Nancy and Howard Kurz, Randal Nardone, Elin and Michael Nierenberg, Nancy and Craig Overlander, Mara and Baron Silverstein, Linda Taub and Amy and Jeff Verschleiser.

The Dinner Committee included: Eve and Brant Brooks, Sarah and Brian Chin, Tracy and Frank Collins, Stephanie and Sergio Esposito, Staci and Andrew Friedwald, Phyllis and Gary Gladstein, Erin and Jim Keller, Mildred Levine, Thomas Marano, Melissa and Matthew McQueen, Julie and Martin Migliara, Dana and Michael Miller, Sue and Perry Porricelli, Sal Puliafico, Tammy and Mike Reisman, Samantha Santiago and Steve Jones, Laurie and Charles Schaffran, Erin and Andrew Sloves, Nicholas Smith, Laurie and Joseph Steffa, Alison and Charles Sorrentino, Bettina and Spencer Waxman, Marion and Samuel Waxman, M.D., Dena K. Weiner and David Rozenholc, Amy and Matt Zisette, Laura Zwak and James DeMare.

The Auction Committee included: Nancy Loving and David Hinkelman, Katie Song and Mike Joo, Deborah and Howard Shlafmitz, and Sandy and Marc Taub.

Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation Board:

CHAIRMAN: Michael Nierenberg

PRESIDENT: Robert Kantor

VICE PRESIDENTS: Spencer Waxman, Dena K. Weiner

TREASURER: Thomas A. Conway

SECRETARY: Laurie L. Schaffran
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Dale Claman, James E. Frankel, Gary Gladstein, Clifford Greenberg, Dennis A. Herman, Linda Herman.

David Hinkelman, Alissa Jacob, Gary Jacob, Howard Kurz, Matthew Lyons, Riva Ariella Ritvo-Slifka, Howard Shlafmitz, Tony M. Shogren, David S. Taub**, Samuel Waxman, M.D.

HONORARY BOARD: Maureen Cogan, Martin L. Coyne, Mary Kantor, Abner Levine**, Mildred Levine, Susan W. Rose, Alan P. Safir *, Joan A. Safir *, Edwin C. Scheurer**, Alfred J. Seaman**, Zena Wiener

CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL: Lawrence Altman, Peter Claman, Ruth Finley, Arminio Fraga, Costas Kondylis, Thomas Marano, Tadashi Shoji, Bernard Sillins

ABOUT THE SAMUEL WAXMAN CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION (www.waxmancancer.org)
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 $85 million to support the work of more than 200 researchers across the globe.

Photography by Patrick McMullan, James Edstrom and Rebecca Weiss

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2014 El Museo Gala

5/28/2014

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El Museo del Barrio held its annual Gala on Wednesday, May 21 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Over 500 dinner guests were greeted with the signature Cipriani Bellini at 7pm, followed by dinner and welcoming remarks from Tony Bechara and Jorge Daniel Veneciano. Designer, Alejandro Ingelmo was honored with the Artistic Achievement Award, Present by Teen Vogue’s Editor in Chief, Amy Astley. Andy Unanue presented Maria Eugenia Maury and Dr. William A. Haseltine with the award, named in memory of his father, Joseph A. Unanue Trustee Leadership Award. The Gala Chair was CuCu Diamantes and the Gala Co-Chairs were Andrés Levin, Anita Durst, Lex Fenwick, and Cathy and Alex López Negrete.

Artist CuCu Diamantes asked friends Ray Smith to do an artist invention and Jessica Sophia Mitrani to do the artistic details, which complimented Jerónimo Gaxiola Balsa’s events décor. Gala Chair Cucu Diamantes put a spin on the night by bringing original art and sounds to the evening. Ray Smith’s series of wooden candelabras titled “Candelaria” was produced in his studio in Gowanus, Brooklyn. This was the finished first project for his studio since superstorm Sandy after the studio was destroyed in October 2012. This series of 50 unique sculptures was available at auction at the event.

This year’s Gala featured a memorable performance by Gala Chair CuCu Diamantes. Co-Chair Andrés produced the Gala’s entertainment, which included a special reunion performance by Yerba Buena, the Grammy nominated Latin fusion band which Andrés and CuCu founded. The opening performance was by The Pedrito Martínez Group. “This was an evening of great pride for Latins and an evening of great interest to non-Latins; we couldn’t possibly imagine a better moment for our band to make a special reunion appearance, the first in five years--- it was special. The gala was like no other with dancing till the wee hours,” said the Gala Chair. CuCu Diamantes performed with her band and with Levin’s reuniting their band " yerba buena" - and debuted her new song "Pecados de Picasso" (sins of Picasso) in collaboration with artist Ray Smith. The event’s décor and entertainment were both inspired by Pablo Picasso; the night was led by a group of music and visual artists donating their time to celebrate a museum that supports the El Museo community.

“The Gala inaugurated a new chapter in El Museo’s history. We honored great emerging talent together with great sustaining commitment—in Alejandro Ingelmo with Maria Eugenia Maury and William A. Haseltine. I am thrilled to be El Museo’s Director at this exciting moment of the museum’s rebirth,” said El Museo’s new Director, Jorge Daniel Veneciano.

The menu included: Roasted tri-color beets with haricot verts and crumbled goat cheese, wahyu strip loin steak with fresh herb mélange sauce, ricotta cheese cake with fresh strawberry sauce, miniature éclairs, strawberries dipped in bittersweet chocolate, assorted cookies, biscotti, miniature fruit tarts, Zonin Pinot Grigo and Zonin Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.

Notable guests who attended include: Susan Sarandon, Gabriela Isler Miss Universe®, Jeisa Chiminazzo, Kiara Kabukurub, Grace Mahary, Ambassador Sandra Fuentes-Berain, Francois Payard, Jessica Joffe, Amy Astley, Carlos Campos, Ray Smith & Mark Seliger.

Patrons who attended included: Carolina Alvarez-Mathies, Tony Bechara (Chair of El Museo’s Board), Estrellita Brodsky, Emerson Barth, Courtney Bennett, Ambassador Sandra Fuentes- Berain, Ali Cordero Casal, Doris Casap, Jill Demling, Anita Durst, Yaz and Valentin Hernández, Gaily and John Beinecke, Perla Capriles, Michael García, Francisco X. Gonzalez and Jeannette M. Baez, Frank Burgel and America Gonzalez, Florence Haseltine, Mara Haseltine, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Heimann, Mark Holgate, Warren James, Michael Kaiser, Susan Kaufman, Jerome Levy, Alexandra Lebenthal and Jeremy Diamond, Galerie Lelong, Cathy and Alex Lopez Negrete, Leslie Dumont and Fred Levin, Marcia and Richard Mishaan, Mary and Larry McCaffrey, Enrique Norten, Patricia and Ramiro Ortiz, Raphael Montanez Ortiz, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos and Paul Kanavos, Leticia and Rick Presutti, Keith Pollick, Roxanne Robinson, Tracey and Phillip Riese, Daniel Rachmanis, Patti and Juan Ruiz-Healy, Yolanda Santos, Ray Smith, Norma and David Smith, Pedro Torres, August Uribe, Carmen Ana Unanue, Andy and Marie Unanue, and Marie and Andy Unanue, Sabrina Wirth and Irene Zingg.