Dining with the Divas

Apollo Theater's Fourth Annual Dining with the Divas Luncheon.

On Friday, February 14th, the world famous Apollo Theater celebrated Valentine's Day by hosting its fourth annual Dining with the Divas luncheon, a fundraiser celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the arts and in business. Hosted by Tamara Tunie, Dining with the Divas benefits the Theater’s education and community programs. Held on the Theater’s iconic stage, where legendary Divas such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight have enchanted audiences, Divas offered participants an opportunity to connect with some of the country’s most powerful, accomplished, and influential women.

Attendees included: Michelle Adkins, Adrienne Johnson, Jacqueline Nickelberry, Rita Jammet, Yolanda Ferrell-Brown, Michelle Gadsden-Williams, and Carolyn Minick Mason. Additional guests included: Jennifer Jones Austin, Jean Shafiroff, Daniella Vitale, Loida Lewis,Josie Thomas, Mercedes Cotchery, Debra Shriver, Lisa Garcia Quiroz, Lisa Price, Shawn Outler, Lesley Goldwasser, Carla Harris, Thelma Golden, Jennifer Scully-Lerner, Dr. Lisa Coico, Dawne Marie Grannum, Deborah Roberts, Regina Moore, Agnes Hassell, Maria Cornejo, Marva Smalls and Nina Garcia.

Dining with the Divas raised over $250,000, which will support the non-profit theater’s education and community programs, which include career day panels, in-school enrichment programs, a summer internship program, a Saturday workshop series, and the Apollo’s Oral History program. Sponsors for Divas include American Airlines, Barneys New York, Citi, Credit Suisse, Duane Reade Charitable Foundation, Estee Lauder, JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley. Dining with the Divas was catered by Great Performances with champagne provided by La Caravelle and wines from Frederick Wildman Wines.

“Dining with the Divas is a moment for the Apollo to spotlight women impacting the world through their work, and to acknowledge their role as mentors for the next generation,” said Apollo president and CEO, Jonelle Procope. “The Apollo is all about paying it forward. Our education programs are training the next generation of theatrical professionals and arts audiences. Our students and young people will stand on our shoulders as we have all stood on shoulders of others.”

Dining with the Divas Committee members Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Jacqueline Nickelberry and Yolanda Ferrell-Brown with Divas host Tamara Tunie, Jonelle Procope and Committee members Carolyn Mason and Michelle Adkins

The Apollo is a national treasure that has had significant impact on the development of American culture and its popularity around the world. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has played a major role in cultivating artists and in the emergence of innovative musical genres including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr., James Brown, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, and countless others began their road to stardom on the Apollo’s stage.

Dining with the Divas ...

The Apollo Theater’s new artistic vision builds on its legacy. New Apollo programming has music as its core, driving large scale and more intimate music, dance and theater presentations. The Apollo will continue to present historically relevant presentations, as well as more forward-looking, contemporary work.

Based on its cultural significance and architecture, the Apollo Theater received state and city landmark designation in 1983 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.

Apollo president and CEO, Jonelle Procope and Tamara Tunie

Carolyn Mason and Lisa-Renee Dumas with a friend

Dining with the Divas co-chairs Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Managing Director, Talent, Branding & Communications Credit Suisse, Carolyn Mason, Owner & Creative Director Love Notes and Jacqueline Nickelberry, Owner JHowell Holdings LLC

Karen Chaplin and Lucy Ferrell-Scott

Yolanda Ferrell-Brown, president Ferrell-Brown Design, Inc., Georgia Garinois, senior vice president of Corporate marketing Estee Lauder, Tracey Travis, executive vice president and CFO Estee Lauder, Kathleen Longo, director of corporate programs Esteee Lauder, and Dorian Woodruf

Carolyn Mason, Rita Jammet, Yolanda Ferrell-Brown, and Michelle Gadsden-Williams

Diva Committee Member Shawn Outler (Right) and friends

Jonelle Procope and Josie Thomas

Dawne Marie Grannum and Maggie Norris

Jonelle Procope, Josie Thomas, Joan Jakobson, Jennifer Scully-Lerner, and Carolyn Mason

Jennifer Jones Austin, Jonelle Procope, Josie Thomas, Lisa S. Coico, and Lauren Maillian-Bias

Adrienne Johnson and friend

Jonelle Procope with Divas committee members Rita Jammet, Michelle Adkins and Divas co-chair, Jacqueline Nickelberry

Debra Shriver, with Joyce Newman and Wendi Newman

Jonelle Procope and Lisa Quiroz

Jonelle Procope with Joan Haffenreffer

Crystal McCrary, Thelma Golden, Debra Martin Chase, and friend

Eric Sorlie and friends

Jonelle Procope, Emil Wilbekin, Jacqueline Nickelberry, Debra Shriver, Judith Hill, and Rev. Dr. Jacqueline J. Lewis

Lucy Ferrell-Scott (left) and guests

Lisa Simonson, Amber Patton, and Dr. Holly Phillips

Tai Beauchamp (center), Judith Hill (right) and friend (left)

This Valentine’s Day, LongHouse Reserve—a not-for-profit arboretum, art museum, sculpture garden, and educational organization based in East Hampton—hosted its 2014 Winter Benefit in Manhattan. Founded by legendary textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen, LongHouse strives to awaken the senses and inspire a creative life. Guests of the benefit enjoyed a romantic evening at the Museum of Arts and Design theater with a seductive performance by Bill T. Jones and Dancers followed by an intimate dinner at a private residence.

Jack Lenor Larsen, Adelaide de Menil, and Bill T Jones

The evening began with a cocktail reception in the lobby of the Theater at the Museum of Arts and Design in Columbus Circle. Two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer and contemporary dance icon Bill T. Jones created a special performance that enlightened, charmed and seduced: Ballads and Stories. Jones read from Dylan Thomas. The fashionable crowd included LongHouse Reserve President Dianne B, Executive Director Matko Tomicic, Michael Halsband, Katie Baldwin, Jeffrey Podolsky, Edda Gundmundsdottir, Joan Hershey, Amy Schichtel, Olivia Shandora, Hilda Longinotti, John Stacom, Hala and James Salomon, John Driscoll, Marcia Riklis and Michael Kessler, JoAnn and Lee Skolnick, and William Sofield.

The evening was a rare opportunity to see Jones dance himself. The night continued with an intimate dinner that celebrated Bill T. Jones’ birthday and was graciously hosted by Adelaide de Menil at her fabled Gainsborough duplex overlooking Central Park. Distinguished guests included Bjorn Amelan, Lys Marigold, Elizabeth and Mark Levine, Marylyn Dintefass, Dr. Andre Goy, Jeffrey Ornstein, Frederick Johnston, Patrick Planeta, Alison Mazzola, Ulrikevon Lehsten, Dieter von Lehsten, Annaliese Soros, and Peter Olsen.

Lys Marigold, Dianne B, and MatkoTomicic

LongHouse Reserve is a not-for-profit organization with close-to-16 beautiful acres in East Hampton, New York. Through its art collections, arboretum, sculpture gardens, and educational programs, LongHouse Reserve brings together art and nature, aesthetics and spirit, with the strong conviction that living with art in all its forms is central to living fully and living creatively. It seeks to expand the imaginations of all its visitors, no matter what age or level of appreciation. Each year the LongHouse Reserve presents major exhibitions in the pavilion and the gardens.

Dancers Talli Jackson, Shayla-Vie Jenkins, and Lamichael Leonard Jr

Hala and James Solomon

Lowery Sims, Helen Drutt, and Jackie Brody

Annaliese Soros and Dieter von Lehsten

Eugene Shekhzer and Olivia Shandora

Amy Schichtel

Jeffrey Podolsky and Edda Gudmundsdottir

John Stacom, Hilda Longinotti, Mary Blake, Robert Blake, and Elizabeth Lear

Andre Goy and Jeffrey Ornstein

Dianne B and Bjorn Amelan

Michael Halsband and Katie Baldwin

Michael Kessler and Marcia Riklis

Sharjeel and Margaret Kashmiv

Sheila Cobb and Eve Suter

Ulrike von Lehsten

William Sofield

On Thursday, January 30th, 2014, East Side House Settlement hosted the annual Young Collectors Night at the Winter Antiques Show, held at the Park Avenue Armory. Sponsored by Brooks Brothers, this high-energy evening attracted more than 800 new collectors, emerging philanthropists, and art and design enthusiasts who enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a private viewing of the sensational art and antiques on display. This year, the show celebrated its 60th Year Diamond Jubilee with a special exhibition of extraordinary diamonds from the world’s most renowned jewelry firms, which set the perfect backdrop for this glittering occasion.

The evening was co-chaired by Emily Israel Pluhar, Stephanie Clark and Courtney Booth and included a high-profile Interior Design Committee, led by Chairwoman Wendy Goodman, Design Editor of New York magazine. This prestigious group lists more than 80 of the country’s most illustrious interior designers, including Nate Berkus, Celerie Kemble, Alexa Hampton, Darren Henault, Lauren Rottet, Miles Redd, and many more.

Young collectors ...

Proceeds from the night will support East Side House Settlement’s highly successful college preparation programs, which are crucial in promoting education and employment for the residents of the South Bronx and surrounding communities.

Guests included: Isaac Mizrahi, Charles Rockefeller, Linda Fargo, Juan Montoya, Geoffrey Bradfield, Lacary Sharpe, Lisa Yom, Lucinda Ballard, Shawn Henderson, Tony Ingrao, Roric Tobin, Clay Floren, Georgina Schaeffer, Arthur Wayne, Catherine Sweeney Singer & William Singer, Claudio Del Vecchio & Debra Del Vecchio, Caroline Pastel, Dana Schiller, Miller Gaffney, Jon Call, Amy Fine Collins, James Andrew, Amy Hoadley, Lydia Tower, Lacary Sharpe, Sam Dangremond, Jesse Carrier, and many others.

Emily Israel Pluhar, Wendy Goodman, Isaac Mizrahi, Courtney Booth, and Stephanie Clark

Robin Lawson and Keita Turner

Arthur Wayne and Courtney Booth

Alexa Hampton

Catherine Sweeney Singer, Stephanie Clark, Emily Israel Pluhar, Courtney Booth, and Lucinda Ballard

Ashley Rettenmaier, Chelsea Dean, and Margaret Boyle

Caroline Pastel and Callie Belser

Evelyn Salvarinas

Virginia Sterling

Lindsey Harper

Stephanie Clark, Emily Israel Pluhar, Debra Del Vecchio, Claudio Del Vecchio, and Courtney Booth

Barbara Israel and Emily Israel Pluhar

Wendy Goodman and John Sanchez

Jesse Carrier and Julia Kadioglu

Geoffrey Bradfield

Paul Sadowski and friend

On February 16th, the New York City Mission Society hosted a VIP presentation of Sintessi Fine Jewelry at the Mary Mahoney Store to raise money for the New York City Mission Society. Michel Piranesi from Sintessi Jewelry donated a $15,000 diamond and sapphire pin to the New York City Mission Society that will be auctioned at the charity's forthcoming Champions for Children Gala.

Attendees included: Stanley. H Rumbough, Cole Rumbough, Jean Shafiroff, Mary Mahoney, Michel Piranesi, Maribel Alvarez, Leah Rumbough, Kiera Rumbough, Anka Palitz, Ava Roosevelt, Bill Bone, Cesare Barro, Diane de La Begassiere, Greg Joye, Laura Codman, Morgan O'Connor, Pamela O' Connor, Suzanne Stoll, Yelitza Karolyi, Adrianna Mschioa, Annette Ross, Claudia Wagner, Cynthia Cohen, Eileen Louissaint, Gertie Kleikamp, Jane Stillman, Julia Burns, John Terwilliger, Dr. John Terwillenger, Lisa Warch, Matt Parent, Michael Price, Morton and Judy Shimkus Nick Ryan, Lou and Nicole Dicocco, Dr. Perrin Blank, Dr. Phillip and Marion Piro, Shannon Porthault, Tom Shaffer, and Victoria Murphy.

Michel Piranesi, Shannon Porthault, Mary Mahoney, Jean Shafiroff, Leah Rumbough, Cole Rumbough, Kiera Rumbough, Morgan O' Connor, Pamela O'Connor, Scott Moses, and Nick Ryan

On March 12, 2014, New York City Mission Society will host the 2014 Champions for Children Gala. Proceeds from Champions for Children will help NYC Mission Society continue its programs of education, prevention services, and youth development for 14,000 of New York City's children, youth and families. Programs help participants achieve personal growth and self-sufficiency in a safe and loving environment.