5.16.12: More Spring benefits and anniversaries

More Spring benefits and anniversaries

Doubles celebrated its 36th Anniversary.

On Thursday, May 3 2012, The Perlman Music Program (PMP) held its Annual Spring Benefit at the Park Avenue Armory and Daniel. This year's event highlighted the Program's extraordinary students and alumni with an exclusive chamber music concert in the Armory's historic Veterans Room. Guests were greeted in the Armory's Library with champagne and hors d'oeuvres, courtesy of Canard. Performers presented masterworks by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Shostakovich. For the finale, Maestro Itzhak Perlman conducted an exhilarating Vivaldi Concerto, featuring 15 of PMP's fine young artists in a chamber symphony setting.

After the performance, guests reconvened to the elegant Bellecour Room at Daniel, where they toasted the musicians and dined on mâche salad with black truffle vinaigrette, sea bass, veal, and a vanilla and passion fruit vacherin.

Maestro Itzhak Perlman conducting a Vivaldi Concerto, featuring 15 of PMP's fine young artists

At dinner, Program Founder Toby Perlman thanked guests for their support, and announced the most recent progress on the Program's $3.2 million Campaign for the Kristy and James H. Clark Arts Center. Generous underwriters Jim and Kristy Clark have declared a match for gifts made to the Clark Arts Center for the second consecutive year. The Campaign has neared almost 82% completion, and the eagerly awaited Grand Opening Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2012, on PMP's Shelter Island campus. The Clark Arts Center will feature a performance space for chamber music, orchestral, and choral performances for an audience of 50, 10 sound-proof practice rooms, and a modernized living quarters for female students. The building will allow the Program to function year-round on the Shelter Island campus for the first time, effectively doubling its programming.

Toby Perlman

Guests included Arlene Alda, Sharon and Stephen Baum, Christine and Randall Blank, Helen and Murray Charash, Michael Chung, Sam Collins, Jay Dweck, Paul Ferrillo, Dorian and Gary Fuhrman, Linda and Paul B. Gridley, Rachel and Stan Horowitz, Stacey Hughes, Robert Keeney, Michelle Larsen, Maritess Lilien, Chiara and James Mai, Mrs. Phyllis Mailman, Sarah Meister, Maureen Nash, Katie Nojima, Ronald J. Oehl, Pamela and Edward S. Pantzer, Toby and Itzhak Perlman, Jennifer Pinkos, Dr. Julie Ratner, Karen Rockey, Ryan Rossitto, David Sadroff, Stephanie Schlosser, Robert H. Siegel, Sidney and Morgan B. Stark, Sun-Sun de Swaan, Hannele and Michael Troise, Svetlana and Herbert Wachtell, Hannah Yang, and Sook Jung Yi.

Musicians

Svetlana and Herbert Wachtell

Patrick Romano, Tomoko Fujita, and Adam Meyer

Itzhak Perlman, Paul Gridley, and Robert Keeney

Robert Siegel and David Sadroff

Stan Horowitz and Morgan Stark

Helen and Murray Charash

Stefanie and Ryan Rossitto

Jennifer Martin Pinkos, Maritess Lillen, Rachel Horowitz, Sun Sun De Swaan, and Sidney Stark

Guests at Daniel

Pam and Ed Pantzer

Chiara and James Mail

Hannele and Michael Troise

Ron Oehl and Itzhak Perlman

Gary Fuhrman, Toby Perlman, and Morgan Stark

Toby Perlman and musicians

Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) presented "Ballerina Assoluta: A Tribute to Natalia Makarova" late last month at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

This historic evening of dance illustrated the incomparable Natalia Makarova's contribution to the art of ballet by presenting some of her most iconic roles performed by today's leading dancers. Performers included Marcelo Gomes (American Ballet Theatre), Natalia Osipova (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg), Sergei Polunin (formally of The Royal Ballet), Tamara Rojo (The Royal
Ballet), Yuan Yuan Tan (San Francisco Ballet), Ivan Vasiliev (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg) and Diana Vishneva (American Ballet Theatre/Mariinsky Ballet). American Ballet Theater's Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie hosted the evening. In addition, rare photos and archival footage of Ms. Makarova were shared. This program was presented as part of the "Legends in Dance" series.

Newsies-nominees-E.-Sykes,-R.-Breslin,-T.-Jasperson,-J.-Jordan,-R.-Steele,-LR-Reams,-Chris-Gatelli,-Kara-Lindsay

Natalia Makarova with young dancers

Natalia Makarova

Notable guests included: Deeda Blair and Ambassador William Blair, Hamish Bowles, Barbara and Gary Brandt, Dini and Patrick Cole, Arlene Cooper, Beverly D'Anne, Irina Dvorovenko, Linda and Martin Fell, Francine LeFrak, Kim and Mason Granger, Brian Heidtke, Judith M. Hoffman, Deirdre Howley and Ira Eisenstadt, Karla Johnson, Allegra Kent, Theresa Khawly, Natalia Makarova, Kevin McKenzie, Linda and Edward Morse, Karine Plantadit, Ben Rodriguez, and George Wayne. The sponsors of the evening were NTV, Pushkin Brasseries and Russian Standard Vodka.

The previous night was Youth America Grand Prix's annual gala "Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow". The evening included a World Premiere by Karen LeFrak.

Karen LeFrak, Simon Mulligan, Ekaterina Kondaurova, Jon Vallejo, Islom Baimuradov, Otto Bubenicek, and Jiri Bubenicek

YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX (YAGP) is America's first and the world's largest student ballet scholarship competition. Conducted through annual regional competitions throughout the U.S and abroad, YAGP is a global network of opportunity connecting dancers, teachers, schools, and companies all over the globe. Each year, YAGP culminates with a Final Round in New York City and a Gala performance. Founded in 1999 by former Bolshoi Ballet Dancers, Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev, 25,000 young dancers have participated in YAGP worldwide competitions and workshops, over 2 million dollars have been awarded in scholarships to leading dance schools, and over 250 YAGP alumni are now dancing with 50 companies, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, and many others.

For more information, visit www.YAGP.org.

Rick Friedberg, Francine Lefrak, Linda Morse, and Ed Morse

Emma Wang, Yan Li, James Tu, and Sarah Zhang

Anna Marie Holmes, Kee Juan Han, Hae Shik Kim, Lawrence Rhodes, and Arlene Minkhorse

Deeda Blair and Ambassador William Blair

George W Watzen, Kate Fay, Andrei Karkar, and Anna Kuchma

Natalya Zeiger and Stephanie Spassoff

Marcelo Gomes, Evan Todd, and Scott Schlexer

Jon Vallejo, Islom Baimuradov, Ekaterina Kondaurova, and Jiri Bubenicek

Rebecca King, Katie Williams, Skylar Brandt, April Giangeruso, and Nicola Curry

Sergei Polunin, Alexei Moskalenko, Violetta Zhirova, Miasha Temoupakov, and Tamara Rojo

Anna Marie Holmes, Judith Hoffman, and Franco Devita

George Wayne, Vicola Vassell, and Michael Hogan

Sergey Gordeev and Karine Plantadit

The 30th Fred and Adele Astaire Awards were announced by New York Post Theater Critic Michael Riedel at a glittering reception at the historic Lamb’s Club in the heart of the theater district. The gleaming Art deco venue was the perfect setting for “The Astaires," the only awards to recognize excellence in and on the Broadway Stage and in film.

The Awards Gala will take place at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University on June 4. As previously announced, Liza Minnelli will receive the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award named for the late esteemed drama critic Douglas Watt who along with Fred Astaire co-founded the awards in 1982. The Astaire Awards will also begin a new tradition, paying tribute to the career and work of a choreographer and dancer during the awards. This year they will be remembering Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Other honors to be presented include the “Adele Astaire Scholarship,” awarded to a young up-and-coming dancer, and a special award for three-time Tony Award-nominated producer Kathleen Raitt, in recognition of her helping found The Astaire Awards in 1982. This year’s awards ceremony will also be dedicated to Tony and Oscar-winning producer Marty Richards, a longtime friend of the awards.

Newsies nominees E. Sykes, R. Breslin, T. Jasperson, J. Jordan, R. Steele, LR Reams, Chris Gatelli, and Kara Lindsay

Among the crowd applauding the nominees - especially for the multiple nominations for “Evita” “Nice Work If You Can get It” and “Newsies” - were female dancer nominees: Elena Roger, Kara Lindsay, Ashley Amber, Bahiyah Hibah, Lisa Nicole Wilkerson; male dancer nominees, Matthew Broderick, Ryan Steele, Jason Tam , Robert Hartwell, Jeremy Jordan, Thayne Jasperson, Ryan Breslin, Ephraim Sykes: Outstanding Choreographer nominees Ronald K. Brown, Kathleen Marshall and Christopher Gattelli and from the world of film, Ella Baff, Executive and Artistic Director of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Ron Honsa, Director of “Never Stand Still” and Nan Penman, Producer of ‘Never Stand Still”. Broderick nominated for “Nice Work If You Can Get IT” was praised by host Riedel to the delight of the show’s director Kathleen Marshall who was also nominated. Nominee Elena Roger who plays Evita whooped when her co-star Ricky Martin’s name was also read and lusty cheers filled the room when “Newsies” received a whopping 7 nominations including best choreographer for Christopher Gattelli. Hugh Jackman picked up a nomination for his tour de force "Back on Broadway".

Andrew-Wargo,-Sara-Ann-Johnson,-Scarlett-Pildes,-Carolyn-Kendall-Buchter,Ron-Buchter

Andrew Wargo, Sara Ann Johnson, Scarlett Pildes, Carolyn Kendall Buchter, and Ron Buchter

Also in the crowd were three time Tony winning producer Kathleen Raitt, dance world legend Marge Champion and Astaire Awards Producer Patricia Watt, Associate Producers Sarah Bierstock and Carolyn Kendall Buchter who also co-chairs the gala with Alix Michel, Honorary Chair Wendy Federman, Benefit Chair Sara Ann Johnson, Director Joe Lanteri, Nominating committee member Bruce Michael, the incomparable Lee Roy Reams who is on the Awarding Committee, singer Sue Mathys, filmmaker Albert Maysles and pianist/artist Andrew Wargo. The 30th Annual Fred and Adele Astaire Awards will take place on Monday, June 4th at 7:30pm at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. A limited number of tickets are available to the public. For a complete list of nominees please go to www.TheAstaireAwards.org.

Nominee-Bahiyah-Hibah,-Asociate-Producer--Carolyn-Kendall-Buchter,&-nominees-Matthew-Broderick,-Kathleen-Marshall,-Robert-Hartwell

Nominee Bahiyah Hibah, Asociate Producer Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Matthew Broderick, Kathleen Marshall, and Robert Hartwell

Robert-Donohoe,Nominees--Nicolette-Robinson,-Leslie-Odom,-Jr.,-Krystal-Lee-Brown-&-Awarding-Committee-Member--Lee-Roy-Reams

Robert Donohoe,Nominees Nicolette Robinson, Leslie Odom, Jr., Krystal Lee Brown, and Lee Roy Reams

Writer-David-Noh,-Astaire-Awards-Honorary-Co-Chair--producer-Wendy-Federman

Writer David Noh and Astaire Awards Honorary Co Chair producer Wendy Federman

Robert-Donohoe,-nominee-Thomas-Hartwell,-actor-Lee-Roy-Reams

Robert Donohoe, nominee Thomas Hartwell, and actor Lee Roy Reams

Nominees-Thomas-Hartwell-,-Krystal-Joy-Brown-&-Ronald-K.-Brown,-Dawne-Grannum

Nominees Thomas Hartwell, Krystal Joy Brown, Ronald K. Brown, and Dawne Grannum

Designer-Regina-Kravitz,-Debra-Scott,-Ronny-Cohen

Designer Regina Kravitz, Debra Scott, and Ronny Cohen

Carolyn-Kendall-Buchter,-Ron-Buchter-,-Producer--Patricia-Watt

Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ron Buchter, and Patricia Watt

Nominee-Robert-Hartwell,-blogger-Tia-Walker,-Dawn-Marie-Grannum,-nominee-Krystal-Joy-Brown

Nominee Robert Hartwell, blogger Tia Walker, Dawn Marie Grannum, and nominee Krystal Joy Brown

National-Museum-of-Dance-Hall-of-Fame-inductee-Marge-Champion,-singer-actress-Sue-Mathys

National Museum of Dance Hall of Fame inductee Marge Champion and singer actress Sue Mathys

New York Post Theater critic Michael Riedel

Newsies cast and friends

Nominee-Elena-Roger,-Dance-Hall-of-Fame-inductee-Marge-Champion,-nominee-Ashley-Amber

Nominee Elena Roger, Dance Hall of Fame inductee Marge Champion, and nominee Ashley Amber

Astaire-Awards-producer-Patricia-Watt-&-NY-Post-Theater-Critic---Michael-Riedel

Astaire Awards producer Patricia Watt and NY Post Theater Critic Michael Riedel

Nominee-Lisa-Nicole-Wilkerson,-Arcell-Cabuag,-nominee-Krystal-Joy-Brown

Nominee Lisa Nicole Wilkerson, Arcell Cabuag, and nominee Krystal Joy Brown

Gala-Chair-Sara-Ann-Johnson-&-Nominating-Committee-Member-Bruce-Michael

Gala Chair Sara Ann Johnson and Nominating Committee Member Bruce Michael

Christopher Freer and nominee Ashley Amber

Marium-Khalid,-Jenny-Lyn-Bader,-Phillip-Justman

Marium Khalid, Jenny Lyn Bader, and Phillip Justman

Dancer-Arcell-Cabuag,-nominees-dancer-Bahiyah-Hibah-&-choreographer-Ronald-K.-Brown

Dancer Arcell Cabuag, nominees dancer Bahiyah Hibah, and choreographer Ronald K. Brown

Edward-Callaghan,-director-Albert-Maysles,-John-Wegorzewski

Edward Callaghan, director Albert Maysles, and John Wegorzewski

Gala-co-chair-Alix-Michel,-producer-Dan-Whitten

Gala co chair Alix Michel and producer Dan Whitten

Nominee-Krystal-Joy-Brown,Nominating-Committee-Member-Bruce-Michael,-nominee-Lisa-Nicole-Wilkerson

Nominee Krystal Joy Brown,Nominating Committee Member Bruce Michael, and nominee Lisa Nicole Wilkerson

Nominee--Producer-Nan-Penman,-Dance-Hall-of-Fame-inductee-Marge-Champion,-Nominee-Director-Ron-Honsa

Nominee Producer Nan Penman, Dance Hall of Fame inductee Marge Champion, and Nominee Director Ron Honsa

Awarding-Committee-Member-Anna-Kisselgoff-Honorary-Co-chair-producer-Wendy-Federman

Awarding Committee Member Anna Kisselgoff and Honorary Co chair producer Wendy Federman

Randall Stempler and Dawne Marie Grannum

National-Museum-of-Dance-Hall-of-Fame-inductee-Marge-Champion,-nominee-Thomas-Hartwell

National Museum of Dance Hall of Fame inductee Marge Champion, and nominee Thomas Hartwell

General-Manager-at-New-York-City-Dance-Alliance-Travis-Fritsche,-Gala-co-chair-Alix-Michel

General Manager at New York City Dance Alliance Travis Fritsche, and Gala co chair Alix Michel

Choreographer-Christopher-Gatelli,-actress-Sarah-Bierstock

Choreographer Christopher Gatelli and actress Sarah Bierstock

Dawne-Marie-Grannum,-NYC-Dance-Alliance-Director-Joe-Lanteri,-blogger-Tia-Walker

Dawne Marie Grannum, NYC Dance Alliance Director Joe Lanteri, and blogger Tia Walker

Lewen and Randall Stempler

Actress Sarah Bierstock

Actor Jason Tam and nominee Patty Murin

Leap-of-Faith-Nominees-Krystal-Joy-Brown-&-Leslie-Odom,-Jr.

Leap of Faith Nominees Krystal Joy Brown and Leslie Odom, Jr.

Friday May 11th brought a beautiful and temperate evening to New Yorkers arriving at Gramercy Park. Across from the south entrance to the park guests and passersby alike were greeted by three rescue dogs at The National Arts Club, where pet lovers and other humane humans joined together in common cause. The event was the fifth annual Animal Care Spring Fling, hosted by the non-profit Animal Care and Control of NYC.

Guests ascended the elegant main stairway of the club and entered the main gallery which is chock full of some of the finest artwork south of MOMA. Taking cues from both the architecture and the art collection, the music which serenaded the guests was a medley of songs from the Roaring 20's, admirably performed by songstress Tamar Korn and ably accompanied by piano man Jeremy Siskind. To further enhance the mood, scrumptious canapés were served to the several hundred guests along with generous drinks by the barmen.

National Arts Club

ACandC's mission statement is to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of pets and people in New York City and their goals are to decrease the number of animals abandoned, decrease euthanasia, and to find good homes for all healthy and treatable homeless and abandoned pets. From Executive Director Julie Bank to the many unnamed volunteers working every aspect of the organization, these people are motivated by a passion to help these discarded family members find and bring joy to new, loving homes and avoid euthanasia or starvation in the streets.

Volunteers with rescue dogs

Co-chairs Kevin de l'Aigle and David Zyla (recently nominated for an Emmy) and their committee members Blaine Caravaggi, Lauren Ezersky, Allie Feldman, Nisha Jain, Carol Moniz, Nancy Notaro, Jaime Tomczyk and Michelle Young brought off an event that was already crowded by the 7 pm opening and carried on well after the official ending time.

Opening remarks to the gathered crowd were made by Dr. Jay Kuhlman, a member of the Board of Directors, who discussed the state of animal control and the plight of abandoned pets. He was followed by Executive Director Julie Bank who spoke of the ACandC organization and the good work they are doing, thanking the crowd and promising to continue the fight. Event co-chairs Kevin de l'Aigle and David Zyla then took a turn at the microphone with Mr. Zyla reading a note from actress Susan Lucci who was unable to attend.

Blaine Caravaggi and David Zyla

In addition to Ms. Bank, the other executive team members were present, including Douglas Boles, Risa Weinstock, and Richard Gentles.

Throughout the evening a silent auction progressed with a goodly number of beautiful items and services. One of the most hotly contested items was an iPad 3 which wound up selling for just a hair under retail, but the successful bidders happily bought the donated items, knowing the money was being spent on a worthy cause.

As the evening wound down, team members continued to remind departing guests to forsake puppy mills and adopt their next pet, a sentiment with which many of the guests agreed. For those desiring more information about the organization and its good work, kindly direct your browser to www.nycacc.org.

Samantha Boivin, Michelle Young, and Carol Moniz

Kevin de l'Aigle and Susan Becker

Kevin de l'Aigle, Danielle Colanto, and Robert Aronowitz

The silent auction

Maria Milito and Grace Forster

Miranda Reinfeldt, Mei Mei, Carlene Mahanna, and Sophia Rubenstein

Volunteer with rescue dog

Piano man Jeremy Siskind

Lisa Alexander, Tamar Arslanian, Richard Gentles ACandC Director of Development, and Blaine Caravaggi

Charlette Reed and Blaine Caravaggi

Rebecca Knaster and Shirley Freitag

ACandC Secretary Dr. Jay Kuhlman addresses crowd

ACandC Executive Director Julie Bank addresses crowd

Archana Etcheto

Amy Egner and Carlene Mahanna with Mei Mei

Anthony Rubio and Grace Forster

Risa Weinstock and Julie Bank

Miranda Reinfeldt and Julie Hayek

Songstress Tamar Korn

Tim Farber, Lindsey Clark, and Jessica Boorn

Robert Bennett, Sara Morris, and Alexandra Silver

Dawn Karam and Alex Becker

Joe Belan, ACandC Exec. Dir. Julie Bank, and Fergus Legget

Josh Beckerman, Jen Halpern, Felicia Greenfield, and Claresa Mandola

Anti-gravity

3000 balloons and streamers filled the Club as Wendy Carduner and Doubles celebrated its 36th Anniversary in style. Mayor Bloomberg and Diana Taylor came by for cocktails. Tara Stacom surprised her husband Arthur Diedrick and Barbara Taylor Bradford with birthday cake celebrations as many looked on including Marianne and John Castle, Audrey and Ambassador del Rosario, Geoffrey Bradfield, Chris and Grace Meigher, Henry Koehler, James Symington, Whitney Fairchild, Mark Gilbertson, Jamie Creel, Mary and Guy Van Pelt, Paige and Tripp Hardy, Kamie and Rich Lightburn and many more. Peter Duchin kept the dance floor moving all night.