The Feast, a world premiere reinvention of a baroque banquet envisioned by Long Beach Opera and inspired by G. F. Handel’s opera Alessandro, received its world premiere with performances May 20 and 21, 2023. The immersive experience featured Martha Graham Dance Company and merged opera, dance, theater, the culinary arts – and even the relationship between performer and audience as they shared the same space throughout the performance.
Beginning in Isamu Noguchi’s iconic garden, California Scenario, and concluding in Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Samueli Theater, the new production brought together seven of Greek mythology’s most storied and volatile characters—King Agamemnon, Alexander the Great, Clytemnestra, Cassandra of Troy, Theseus, Medea, and Cleopatra—for a hedonistic banquet that reimagined some of antiquity’s most enduring Stories.
Anna Schubert as Cleopatra performs in The Feast _ Credit Phillip Faraone:Getty Images for Segerstrom Center for the Arts
In honor of Isamu Noguchi and Martha Graham’s decades-long creative partnership, the performance begins in the Noguchi Garden with a series of dance rituals performed by members of Martha Graham Dance Company who were embedded in the audience they were performing for.
The audience was then led to the Samueli Theater for a sumptuous meal including asparagus salad, duck confit, and Laderach Chocolates while seated alongside the performers at elaborate banquet tables as the drama unfolded around them.
The performance wove together new and existing choreography from Graham’s celebrated repertoire with selections from Handel’s opera and orchestral works and texts from Aeschylus’ The Oresteia. The cast featured renowned Polish countertenor Jakub Jósef Orliński and acclaimed American soprano Anna Schubert.
A collaboration between Long Beach Opera and the Martha Graham Dance Company, The Feast was presented in partnership with Elizabeth Segerstrom and the Henry T. & Elizabeth Segerstrom Foundation. The Feast was co-created by James Darrah, Long Beach Opera’s Artistic Director of Chief Creative Officer, and Janet Eilber, Artistic Director of the Martha Graham Dance Company. Andrew McIntosh was the musical Director.
Lloyd Knight performs in The Feast at California Scenario (Photo by Phillip Faraone:Getty Images for Segerstrom Center for the Arts
VIP Guests includedSegerstrom Center Board Chair Jane Fujishige Yada; Kira Perov, Executive Director of Bill Viola Studios; LA Opera President and CEO Christopher Koelsch; West End playwright Ian Kelly; Charles Letourneau, co-founder of Festival Napa Valley; Gloria Brandes; George & Terry Schreyer; Mark & Jaynine Warner, Richard & Lisa Merage; Valerie Sobel; and film directors Justin Kelly and Dan Savage.
NYC Second Chance Rescue hosted their 3rd annual Rescue Ball on Thursday April 27th, 2023 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. The charity aims to raise critical funds to help continue their mission of providing second chances to critically ill, injured, and abused dogs and cats.
NYC Second Chance Rescue honored Georgina Bloomberg and Joe Gatto with the “Hero Award” for their dedication to animal welfare, and Dr. Peter Roufail, DVM, for “Veterinarian of the Year.”
The evening was Hosted by Tony and Grammy Award-Nominated Actress and Singer, Orfeh With Special Guests RHONJ’s Melissa Gorga and “Rock of Ages” Constantine Maroulis. The evening featured a vegan menu, specialty cocktails, live and silent auctions, and entertainment, followed by dancing to music by DJ GEO ROC and the Violin Diva.
Orfeh_Credit Michael Ostuni/PMC
The live auction included opportunities for all guests to show their support with special items including a vacation in Scotland provided by Copper Dog Speyside Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, a private villa in Costa Rica, and tickets for a performance of Madonna: The Celebration Tour donated by Douglas Elliman. In all the paddle raises and live auction raised over $100,000 for the Charity.
Atmosphere _ Credit Michael Ostuni/PMC
Notable Attendees at the Gala included: Georgina Bloomberg, Joe Gatto, Dr. Peter Roufail, Orfeh, Melissa Gorga, Constantine Maroulis, Jennifer Brooks, Lisa Blanco, Lisa Rose, Kate McEntee, Chris Reda, Richie Romero, Joe Gorga, Jessica Peters, Faust, Elizabeth Bowden, Erin “Bunny” Christoff, Barry Mullineaux, John Dimatteo, Leesa Rowland, Dr. Sam Rizk, Valentina Tsorotiotis, Jennifer Parker, Natascha Schuetz, Andrew Lauren, Chantel Everett
Dr. Peter Roufail _ Credit Michael Ostuni/PMC
Melissa Gorga_ Credit Michael Ostuni/PMC
Members of the Organizing Committee for the 2023 Gala included; Jessica Peters (Chair), Antonio Fuccio, Avra Hart, Barry Mullineaux, Bessy Gatto, Brandon Colon, Chris Reda, Dylan Lauren, John DiMatteo, Kingsley Crawford-Smith, Kate McEntee, Marie Moody, Nathania Nisonson, Robert Cadiz Saldarriaga, Richie Romero and Shouka Amirsolimani
Led by its founders Jennifer Brooks and Lisa Blanco and Vice President Lisa Rose, NYC Second Chance Rescueis a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2009 specializing in rescuing and rehabilitating discriminated breeds, critically injured, neglected, and abused dogs and cats. This year NYC Second Chance Rescue is celebrating 14 years and saving over 14,000 lives.
With support from the public, NYC Second Chance Rescue can continue to provide critical Second Chances to animals in need. Why do we do what we do? Because they matter.
About NYC Second Chance Rescue:
NYC Second Chance Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2009. With the help of a community of donors and supporters, the Charity has saved over 14,000 lives from an unimaginable fate. NYC Second Chance Rescue concentrates its efforts on large breed dogs and animals in need of critical life-saving care. These two criteria make up most of the euthanasias in the United States. Nine out of ten animals that enter NYC Second Chance Rescue were once set to be euthanized at a municipal shelter.
NYC Second Chance Rescue provides all levels of medical care and a healing and safe sanctuary for all pets through our foster care system and our Rescue Center. We do not discriminate on age, size, breed, or medical needs. We have a soft spot for pit-bulls, seniors, and hospice patients. We also love our community and believe that families should not be pulled apart because of financial restraints. The Charity offers free food and critical medical care for families running on hard times. These programs help keep families together and beloved pets out of the shelter system.
The not-for-profit animal rescue organization, Rescue Dogs Rock NYC (RDRNYC) held their ‘Cocktails for Canines’ annual gala in New York City. The cocktail and dinner reception gala raised funds and awareness to help animals in need and was co-chaired by Georgina Bloomberg and Lara Trump.
The Charity has acquired their own rescue and rehabilitation center in Suffolk County on Long Island giving Rescue Dogs Rock NYC a home to care for dogs in need. This allows the charity to save many more needy and deserving dogs. The center sits on half an acre and allows indoor/outdoor kennels and has lots of outdoor space.
The development of the center is a project which has been 3 years in the making. Rescue Dogs Rock NYC is excited to have come this far. Despite raising $150,000 at the Gala, the charity still anticipates requiring approximately $150,000 to get the rescue center ready, to open it and start taking in dogs.
Rescue Dogs Rock NYC’s outreach and education is spread through their website and social media, as well as community events such as their annual gala.Notable Attendees included: Jackie O’Sullivan, Stacey Silverstein, Georgina Bloomberg, Lara Trump, Jeanine Pirro, Marin Gellar, Olga Ferrara, Tijana Ibrahimovic, Jean Shafiroff, Rita Cosby, Judy Gilbert, Jennifer Martucci, Nicole Tufano, Mrs. Moadelovddian, Mrs. Shanoz, Margaret Luce, Leesa Rowland, Cagri Kanver, Nadja Sayej, Marcy Warren, Brigitte Segura.
At the Gala there were auction items which guests were able to bid for including a day of beauty at Angelo David Salon, a dinner for four at El Turco Hamptons Restaurant, Tea for Two at Mariebelle New York Cacao Bar, and a dinner for four at Old Stove Pub.
Music at the Gala was donated by Allen Dalton Entertainment Group, a unique entertainment production company specializing in one-of-a-kind acts, music and show-stopping events. We are proud to be a sponsor with World Renowned DJ Superdave spinning all the hits.
About Rescue Dogs Rock NYC
Rescue Dogs Rock NYC is a 501(c)(3), volunteer and foster based rescue. Rescue Dogs Rock NYC’s goal is to raise awareness of the ever-growing plight of homeless animals in the United States, in shelters as well as those abandoned in the streets. There are way too many fantastic animals that are euthanized every day just because they are homeless. Rescue Dogs Rock NYC introduces these animals to the public and educates them that unwanted companion animals are not damaged goods or unworthy but can be fostered into wonderful family pets. Sadly, the abuse, neglect, cruelty, and medical cases cost shelters the most money, and often are the first animals to euthanized.
The mission of Rescue Dogs Rock NYC is the rescue of these animals and provide them with immediate emergency care, medical or otherwise, they need and deserve. Besides medical treatments, the animals are rehabilitated through trainers and behavior specialists to help overcome past trauma. The organization does not have a physical shelter, and relies on a network of volunteers, fosters and adopters to welcome these animals into their homes and provides them with a nurturing and caring environment.
Jackie O’Sullivan (co-Founder) – After a highly successful career in sales and marketing, Jackie chose to pursue her dream of working with and helping animals in need. Working with charities helped her identify where the greatest unserved needs lay and prompted her to start Rescue Dogs Rock New York City.Stacey is a practicing attorney in New York, who turned her passion of saving homeless animals into co-founding her own not for profit animal rescue called Rescue Dogs Rock NYC. The rescue was founded in 2014 and has saved over 4000 homeless dogs since its inception to date, from across the country. Stacey works tirelessly to help the neediest dogs and gives them a second chance at finding their perfect forever homes.
The Viennese Opera Ball, hailed as the oldest and most prestigious event outside of Vienna, celebrated its 67th annual gala at The Plaza in New York City. Under the auspices of the U.S. Austrian Chamber of Commerce and expertly organized by Executive Director Silvia Frieser and The Event Atelier, the evening garnered immense success with over 400 distinguished guests in attendance.
Angelo Acquista and Svetlana Acquista_Credit Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC
Lilliana Cavendish, Patrick McMullan, David Hochberg and Carolyn Maloney _Credit Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC
Sabine Riglos, Janna Bullock and Lucia Hwong Gordon _ Credit Sylvain Gaboury/PMC
Alongside philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and Denise Rich as Gala Chairs, the event welcomed Vice Chairs Sylvia Hemingway and Peter Thomas Roth, further elevating the stature of the occasion. Their invaluable contributions and support added to the grandeur of the affair.
Highlighting the pinnacle of operatic talent, renowned artists enthralled the audience with captivating performances. Esteemed opera stars, including Stephen Costello and George Gagnidze, renowned for their leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, graced the stage. Additionally, internationally accomplished sopranos Joyce El-Khoury and Nathalie Peña Comas showcased their extraordinary vocal prowess.
The evening’s program showcased stirring arias from the beloved opera Carmen by Bizet, enchanting the attendees with the timeless melodies and emotive performances by these exceptional artists.
Notable Attendees included; Jean Shafiroff, Denise Rich, Sylvia Hemmingway, Commissioner Mermelstein (Mayor’s Office of International Affairs), Kristen Edgreen Kaufman (Mayor’s Office of International Affairs), Peter Hanke (Executive City Councilor, City of Vienna), Stefan Ottrubay (Esterhazy), Norbert Kettner (Director, Vienna Tourism Board), Gudrun Senk (CTO, Wiener Linien), Gerhard Hirczi (CEO, Vienna Business Agency), Christian Frey (Head International Department, Vienna Business Agency), Julian Jäger (Member of the Board of Directors, Vienna Airport), Franz Patay (CEO, United Stages Vienna), Helmut Schoba (CEO, VGN Media Holding), Michael Trestl (CCO, Austrian Airlines), Diana Klein (Augarten), Wolfgang Koechert (A.E. Koechert), Petra Schneebauer (Austrian Ambassador to the United States), Alexander Marschik (Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations), Peter Hasslacher (Austrian Trade Commissioner NY), Susanne Keppler-Schlesinger (Austrian Cultural Forum NY), Helmut Schoba (VGN Medien Holding), Franz Patay (United Stages Vienna), Christian Struppeck (Ronacher/Raimund Theater Vienna), Ingrid Flick (Austrian Entrepreneur), Klaus Panholzer (Schloss Schonbrunn), Austrian fashion designer Carolin Sinemus (Madl, Salzburg), Martin Shafiroff (Stifel), Sabine Riglos (Board member), Maribel Lieberman, Janna Bullock, David Hochberg, Carolyn Maloney, Nicole Miller, Elton Ilirjani, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Agnieszka & Witold Balaban, Dr. Anetta Reszko, Patrick McMullan, Luisa Diaz, Cole Rumbough & Emily Mohr (Junior Chairs).
The presentation of the debutantes and their escorts at the 67th Annual Ball included; Reesa Artz, Clara Burtscher, Rachel Borreta, Mei Colby, Thara Eisingerich, Deborah Engelberg, Isaac Escamilla, Thara Eisingerich, Meyer Eskin, Shifra Eskin, Elias Wallin Giangrande, Gwyneth Giangrande, Joseph Grosh, Royce Howley, Catherine Humphrey, Madison Hoerler, Thomas Itkoff, Sean Jagermann, Alex Koschell, David Kuhn, Benton Madsen, Sofie Maehlkvist, Allegra Marschik, Spencer Napolitano, Maximiliane Norwood, Felix Oblin, Yasmeen Star Omer, Meghan Quinn, Rudolf Schatz, Nick Solari, George Stavropoulos, Anna Talos, Alexander Yale and Maximilian Yale. A beautiful choreography to the Carmen Quadrille by Eduard Strauss was designed for the opening performance of the debutantes and escorts by Vienna Dance School Svabek, headed by Sandra Stockmayer and Roman Svabek.
Atmosphere _ Credit Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC
Event Sponsors included: City of Vienna, Erste Group Bank AG, Esterhazy, Austrian Airlines, A.E. Koechert, Schloss Schoenbrunn. Donors included: Augarten, Lobmeyr, Hotel Bristol, Park Hyatt Vienna, Frette, Peter Thomas Roth Skincare, Jacques Lemans, Las Islas Hotel, Malan Bretan, Muehlbauer, Riding Dinner Vienna, and paintings by Austrian artist FJ Baur, artist John Petschinger, artist Fer Da Silva and Austrian wine Mayer am Pfarrplatz.
Since 1955, the Viennese Opera Ball in New York has been a representative of Vienna’s cultural legacy, elegance, and glamour in the Big Apple. The Ball operates as a cultural platform and builds bridges to connect present day New York City with 19th Century Vienna, and people of varying heritages, continents, and generations, to bring traditional glamour to the city that never sleeps.
The annual white tie charity gala honors Austria and America’s cultural and economic ties, uniting two continents, two cities, and two centuries in one glamorous evening. It was founded 67 years ago by Austrian immigrants to the United States as a tribute to both their former hometown Vienna and their host city, New York. The gala attracts an international audience that includes diplomats and dignitaries, international corporations, and professionals.
Holiday House is returning to the Hamptons with a Designer Showhouse, which will showcase some of the industry’s top interior designers and their cutting-edge lifestyle concepts to be viewed by design professionals, enthusiasts, and the general public. The event will raise critical funds for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and local Southampton charity, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation.
The event, which will kick off with an opening night gala on July 8th
and then run through August 27th, will be co-chaired by Queer Eye for
the Straight Guy’s Thom Filicia, Champion Platt, and Andrea Stark
with honorary chair for the event Jean Shafiroff.
Over 15 leading designers including Amy Storm & Company, Ashley Stark Home, Barbara Ostrom Associates, Bjorn Bjornsson Interior Design, Blake and Emily Interiors, CLW Interiors, Collette Home, Elizabeth Dow Home, Elsa Soyars Interiors, Fish Row Designs, Gil Melott Studio, Kim Radovich Interiors, KRID Studio, Lola Tucker Interior Design, Melanie Roy Design, Mina Lisanin, New Age Interiors, Riki Wagh Design x Neil Kerman Artist, Siriano Interiors and Tamara Hubinsky Interiors will design their own space in a luxury East End estate. The event is presented by BJC Custom Home Builders.
Tickets for the opening night preview are priced at $300 and Young Designers Night (July, exact date TBD), Art Night (August 11th), Motivational Monday (July 24th), Vicente Wolf Book Signing (July 22nd) and General Admission are priced at $40. Tickets can be purchased here.
Holiday House has raised almost two million dollars for breast cancer research.
Opening Night Gala: July 8, 2023 – Time 6 PM – 9 PM
General Admission: July 9 – August 27, 2023
Friday – Sunday from 10:00am – 6:00pm
Vicente Wolf Book Signing: July 22 – Time 12 pm – 2 pm
Young Designers Night: Sunday, July 23 OR Saturday July 29 – Time TBD
Sponsored by Love Shack Fancy
Motivational Monday: July 24 – Time TBD
Art Night: August 11 – Time 5-8 PM
Surfboard Auction and Art Panels – Hosted by Dan’s Papers
This year’s event will be held at 279 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton, NY.
Sponsors for the event include Arte, Baldwin, Calico Wallpaper, California Closets, Eichholtz, Exequor Wellness, Hamptons Fabric and Blinds, Jenn Air, Kravet, Lladro, Nash Stone Group, Royal Botania, Shakuff, Singulart and Stark.
Media partners include Hamptons Magazine, Hamptons Real Estate Showcase, Park Magazine and Dan’s Papers.
Facebook: @holidayhousedesignshow
Instagram: @holidayhousedesigns
Twitter: @holidayhouseny
For general information about Holiday House Hamptons click here!
(Manhattan, NY – May , 2023) – In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) will hold their inaugural Teen Race of Hope to Defeat Depression with teen celebrity Grand Marshal Grier Hammond Henchy in Manhattan at Pier 40 Hudson River Park on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Grier Hammond Henchy is the 16-year-old daughter of Brooke Shields. Soul Cycle’s Stacey Griffith will DJ the event with her motivational arrangement of music. She is a mental health advocate and influencer on social media — look her up on Instagram!
Developed by teens for teens, the Teen Race of Hope will mark HDRF’s first Race of Hope in New York City, uniting teenagers and their families, friends and teachers from across the five boroughs to fight the stigma around mental health and fundraise for advanced depression research.
For the past seven years HDRF has also hosted a major Race of Hope in Palm Beach and in Southampton, NY, but the Teen Race of Hope is the first to be youth-focused.
The Teen Race is the brainchild of Hayden Lucas, who serves as the Chief Student Ambassador for the Race. Lucas is a junior at Dwight High School and the leader of the newly formed HDRF Teen Task Force, a platform created to empower teens to openly discuss mental health and reinforce their sense of community.
“I am excited to lead my peers, teachers, and friends in this race to help our community better understand the importance of mental health awareness,” said Hayden. “As teens, its paramount that we educate ourselves about the signs of depression, coming together in our schools to support the mental wellbeing of others.”
Grier Hammond Henchy follows in her mother Brooke Shields’ footsteps, serving as this year’s teen celebrity Grand Marshal to help bring awareness to depression. Brooke was honored by HDRF with the Hope Award for Depression Advocacy in 2009.
Grier and Hayden will be joined by fellow student ambassadors, as they lead participants on a beautiful 5K (3.1) mile route through the Hudson River esplanade and public piers. While some will choose to run this event competitively, others will opt to stroll casually with their friends and dogs. But they are all united in a common purpose – to support research into new treatments for depression and to fight the stigma still associated with seeking help.
The state of teen mental health across the nation is urgent. More than one in three high school students reports feeling persistent hopelessness, a 40% increase since 2009. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 19.
“These staggering statistics underscore the vital importance of uniting New York’s school communities to better understand the signs of depression and how to talk to teens about it,” said HDRF Executive Director Louisa Benton.
Benton continued: “It is so inspiring to see these teens coming together to reinforce their sense of school community, because community is a powerful protective factor in future mental health.”
The Teen Race of Hope is supported by local student teen ambassadors including Mia Abramson, Marni Arons, Sophie Higgins, Abigail Kidd, Ruby McKillips, Jeremy Negrin, Summer Nelson, Sophia Rossi, Gui Sequiera, Ai Vy Shulman and Noelle Saldana.
HDRF has been a leader in research since 2006, convening top brain researchers from different universities to pool data and expertise to find and fast-track novel treatments to clinical trials. Currently, a clinical trial for a new category of medication is underway at Mount Sinai, Columbia, and Stanford University.
5K Race of Hope Sponsors
Scott’s Protein Balls
Participants include professional and first-time runners, teens, school teams families, and children. Strollers and dogs are welcome. To participate, please visit https://www.nycteen.raceofhopeseries.com/
First 100 registrants receive a commemorative t-shirt, race hat, race bib and huge finisher medal; and medals are awarded for best time in different age categories as well as for the top individual fundraiser and top fundraising team.
Registration Information:
· Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023
· Meeting Point: Pier 40, Picnic House, Hudson River Park at 353 West St. Manhattan, NY 10014
Time: Race starts at 10:00m AM ET
Cost: Student – $15
Strollers and Dogs welcome
ABOUT HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FOUNDATION (HDRF)
HDRF was founded in 2006 by philanthropist Audrey Gruss in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Today, HDRF is the leading nonprofit organization focused solely on advanced depression research into new and better treatments for the illness. The World Health Organization has declared depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, and yet conventional medications today are outdated and do not fully work for 50% of patients. The mission of the HDRF is to spur innovative neuroscience research into the origins, medical diagnosis, new treatments, and prevention of depression and its related mood disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and suicide. To date, HDRF has provided more than $50 million through over 200 grants for breakthrough depression research that promises to transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented. Currently, HDRF has a potential new class of medication in pilot clinical trials at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Columbia University, and Stanford University. HDRF is also funding clinical trials into other novel therapeutics and diagnostic tests at Johns Hopkins, University of San Diego, and the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Opera Lafayette kicked off their 2nd Annual NYC Baroque Music Festival with their New York Gala. on Tuesday May 9 at El Museo de Barrio. Barbara Tober chaired the event. Guests were treated to Opéra-ballet: Rameau’s Io and Pierre de La Garde’s Léandre et Héro. The double bill included a historic world premiere of Jean-Phillippe Rameau’s Io with costumes designed by theatrical genius Machine Dazzle (in attendance).
Performance _ Credit Sierra Prasada
The celebration continued at dinner across the street at the Museum of the City of New York, where Lincoln Center CEO & President Henry Timms was honored. Opera Lafayette co-chairs Nizam Kettaneh and Dorsey Dunn, and Artistic Director Ryan Brown welcomed guests including H.R.H. Princess Chantal de France and The Baron François-Xavier de Sambucy de Sorgue, as well as Afsaneh Akhtari, Suzi Cordish, Layla Diba, Cornelius Escaravage, Christopher “Kip” Forbes, Michele Gerber Klein, Susan Gutfreund, Maria Eugenia Maury and Bill Haseltine, Joan Hardy Clark, Margaret and Gregory Hedberg, Sylvia Hemingway, Helen Little, Andrew Martin-Weber,Ann Van Ness, Barbara de Portago, Sana Sabbagh, Daisy Soros, and Prince Dmitri of Yugoslavia.
Barbara Tober; Machine Dazzle _ Credit Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC
Lee Fryd;Douglas Williams and Afsaneh Akhtari_Credit Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC
Atmosphere_ Credit Patrick McMullan/PMC/PMC
Opera Lafayette is the leading American interpreter and performer of little-known operatic gems from the 17th to the 19th Centuries. Incorporating danc; stunning, inventive costumes and intimate staging with rising star singers and musicians playing period instruments, an Opera Lafayette performance transports its audience to an era when beauty and captivating storytelling were the order of the day. For more, visit https://operalafayette.org/
(New York, NY – May 16) Sofie Mahlkvist, the 24-year-old socialite, style maven and New York It Girl was named the “the Deb” of the year by New York’s Elite as she debuted at the 67th Viennese Opera Ball on May 12th. The ball was held at The Plaza in New York City chaired by Denise Rich and Jean Shafiroff and benefited the Gabrielle Angel Foundation for Cancer Research.
Sofie is the daughter of Rolf Arne Mählkvist, the former CFO of Stena AB and Lena Katrin Mählkvist, was born in Gothenburg. In addition to working on her master’s degree at Harvard University, she is fast becoming known as New York City’s newest “It Girl” and is providing expert style commentary to InStyle, Best Life, USA Today, Park Magazine, Social Life magazine, and Fashion Mann, just to name a few. She is also working with top socialite and fashion designer Libbie Mugrabi, who recently underwrote London’s Victoria and Albert Museum’s Fashion in Motion program that highlights up and coming designers from all over the world.
The Viennese Opera Ball, led by President and Executive Director Silvia Frieser, is an annual white-tie charity gala that celebrates the cultural and economic relationships between Austria and America, connecting two continents, two cities and two centuries in one glamorous evening. Considered the most prestigious and oldest Viennese ball outside of Vienna, the gala draws an international audience with performances by Metropolitan opera singers, a renowned orchestra, ballet performances, the West Point color guard, midnight Quadrille and more. Attendees from the City of Vienna include Peter Hanke, the Executive City Councilor, Martin Ritzmaier, Officer City of Vienna, and Phillipp Kamper, Officer City of Vienna. Sofie represented Sweden, along with other top debutantes from all over the world will make their formal entrance into society.
Among those in attendance included Jean Shafiroff, Denise Rich, Lilliana Cavendish, Petra Schneebauer, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Sue Phillips, and Carolyn Maloney.
NEW YORK, NY – The Westhampton Beach Project is the 5th annual free-to-the-public event that brings a combination of contemporary dance, music, and delicious eats from local Long Island restaurants. Starting at 8 PM, the two-day event will be hosted on the Great Lawn on Main Street in Westhampton Beach, NY on July 28th & 29th.
The project was conceptualized by President of the Musical Mime Theater, Steven Colucci, an artist, working in the arts for over 46 years – he worked closely with the famous Marcel Marceau. A local Westhampton resident, Colucci has made it his personal mission to expose the younger generation to some of the art forms he has spent so many years of his life dedicated to studying.
In support of the event, guests interested in making a charitable donation of $60 and up will receive a VIP seat on the Great Lawn, hors d’oeuvres, specialty appetizers, and cocktails for the event. All proceeds will go towards The Musical Mime Company, INC. The not-for-profit organization is dedicated to assembling artists in all areas of creativity and collecting information on corporal movement and furthermore on art in general.
“We imagine things, all things, and then begins the creative process, which is the Westhampton Beach Project 2023,” said Colucci.
The night will kick off on July 28th, where celebrated singer Chris Ruggiero will open the weekend. Chris Ruggiero gained national attention when he performed on one of PBS-TV’s broadcast specials. Since then, he has been traveling around the country delivering his distinctive brand of vintage rock and roll and sharing his passion for the classics. Ruggiero takes his audience on a musical journey through the golden age of rock and rock, into the music of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
The following night, July 29th, The Parsons Dance Company, a contemporary American dance company internationally renowned for its energized athletic ensemble work will take the stage. The Parson Dance Company, founded by David Parsons and Tony Award-winning light designers Howell Binkley in 1985, brings life-affirming performances and joy to audiences worldwide and through education and outreach programs, to sustain an appreciation for dance.
Throughout the two days, guests will be able to enjoy Westhampton Beach Project’s mini food festival with local bites from over 25 restaurants and cocktails from a dozen bars. Restaurant sponsors include Insatiable Eats, Brunetti, Rogue Kitchens, The Wine Room at the Cottage, Sobol, Whitney’s Fine Food, Centro, and Buoy One. spirit sponsors include Westhampton Beach Brewing Company, Justin Chop Shop, Mill Road Seafood, Mary’s, Westhampton Fine Wine, William Grant and Sons, 1875 Spirit, Da’Villie Catering, Lamartodd Hospitality, Handlebar, Jewel of Russia Vodka, Lauretta’s British Ginger T, Kedem Winery, Monkey in Paradise, The Biscotti Company, Zuccia Wines, Santa Julia Wines, Fruit King/Olish Farms, Salt and Loft, and Fisht Ales/MV Marina.
The Westhampton Beach Project is funded by Steven Colucci and Colucci Musical Mime Theater.
To receive special announcements regarding the event, performance announcements and more RSVP here. For more information on the event please visit https://whbproject.com.
(New York, NY, April 17, 2023) – The risqué ukulele player is back for one night only! D’yan Forest, the 88 year-old comedienne, who has received the Guinness World Records title for Oldest Working Female Comedian in the World, will be bringing an extended version of her naughty one woman show Swinging on the Seine After Dark to the Joe’s Pub stage on May 2nd at 7PM.
Join D’yan on her journey to Paris, where all bets and pants are off! D’yan chronicles her move to Paris as a young, innocent, recently divorced Bostonian looking to make it big in the Parisian cabaret scene. Immersing herself in the glitz, glamour, and scandalous nightlife of the era, the naive D’yan is transported from a sheltered suburban existence to a life filled with underground sex clubs and the swinger’s scene. A coming-of-age story like you have never seen it complete with interactive musical interludes.
Forest has performed all over the globe with notable performances in New York, Paris, Edinburgh, and even Ethiopia. She has been noted by critics as the “naughty version of Betty White” and has appeared on SNL, Comedy Central, France’s Incredible Talent, and most recently on The Drew Barrymore Show. She takes her risqué one-woman show complete with her trusty ukulele to New York comedy clubs including Gotham Comedy Club, Caroline’s, The Broadway Comedy Club, and Le Poisson Rouge, among many more. Her act, accurately called “I Married a Nun,” landed her on the same stage as Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, and Joan Rivers. The late Rivers even referred to Forest as “the filthy ukulele player.” Forest even penned some of her most sitcom-worthy life events with a tell-all entitled I Did it My Ways, currently available on Amazon.
