The American Museum of Natural History Spring Gala 2011

Last night was the Spring Gala at the American Museum of Natural History. It is always so exciting to be in the museum after dark and the Whale room is a spectacular back drop for the diner.
To view all the photos please click on The American Museum Spring Gala Link

Food Allergy Initiative Spring Lunch

Today was the FAI Lunch at Cipriani 42nd Street and there to help organise the event was my friend Melissa and her mother Harriett Rose Katz and the team from Gourmet Advisory Services. DeJuan Stroud made the room feel like spring. It was great to see everyone out supporting this cause. So many children and adults are effected by food allergies and FAI has not only brought much publicity to the problems they have helped change food labels and supported studies to help find a cure. Right now they are searching for 40 more people to take park in testing new treatments in NY, Chicago and the west coast. For more information go to www.faiusa.org
To view all the photos please click on FAI Lunch Link

May Town and Country Magazine

I just got the latest Town & Country Magazine and was so excited to see the Museum of The City of NY party page. I treally was a fun night.

BCRF Spring Gala 2011

This year the Hot Pink BCRF Dinner was just that! HOT and Pink! From Evelyn lauder in her fabulous tulle ball gown to Elton in his pink rimmed glasses, there were dresses in every hue and length. After dinner Elton sang and then introduced Sting who was feeling retched but managed to hold onto his music stand and sing a few songs before inviting all the women to join him on the stage and dance. It was a fun way to end the night.
To view all the photos and to purchase copies please click on BCRF Gala Link

The NYC Opera Gala 2011

Last night was the New York City Opera’s Spring Gala at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.The night honored Broadway and film composer Stephen Schwartz and I was lucky enough to get a ticket to see the performance that included the gorgeous Kristin Chenoweth, Raúl Esparza, Victor Garber, and the amazing Ann Hampton Callaway. The concert was followed by dinner and dancing on the Promenade of the Theater. Food Danny Meyer was the first person I saw so I knew that the guests were in for some wonderful food.
Next I bumped into my friend Dan Dutcher and his partner Bill who introduced me to Stephen Schwartz. It is great having friends who know everyone and Dan is just one of those people. The promenade looked great thanks to David Stark.
To view all the photos and to purchase copies please click on The NYC Opera Gala Link

The Henry Ford Estate Dinner Dance 2011

I had the best weekend. It started on Friday when I left NY and jumped on a plane for Detroit. I rented myself a little red car and zipped around the city before making my way to Fairlane and the Henry Hotel. Dinner was yum in the hotel restaurant then I went upstairs and crashed. It had been a very busy week and so I was happy to dive into the big fluffy bed with lots of pillows on it. I was so tired I didn't even turn on the TV!
Next morning I went over to Grosse Point to meet Mikki Gardner, a wedding co ordinator I will be working with in June and we went to scout all the locations together. I am sooooo excited because the reception is happening at an old estate.
I headed back to the hotel and stopped on my way at a middle eastern restaurant call Amani's located at 13823 Michigan Ave in Dearborn. Wow what a meal. I had so much fun. I ordered falafels and they brought me a plate with many more than I could eat. There were 2 women ordering takeout and they asked me what I was eating..............so I asked them to join me and they both sat down and shared my meal. I don't know why these things happen more when I am traveling than when I am in NY. Maybe I become more adventurous when I leave home.
That night was the highlight of the weekend, The Henry Ford Estate Dinner Dance. This year the girls were wearing jewelry form Tiffanies and they looked fabulous. Edsel and Cynthia Ford are the best hosts. There were cocktails and dinner followed by dancing and then for the late nighter's there were sliders and onion rings to keep everyone going. The Fords were the last to leave well after midnight. The evening raised over$400,000.
To view all the photos and to purchase copies please click on Henry Ford Dinner Dance Link

Carnegie Hall 120 Anniversary Gala

There are nights and then there are NIGHTS. Last night was one of those big ones where everything is perfect and the atmosphere is buzzing.
To start it all off Clarissa Bronfman who has found time to study design in London of all places, came up with an invitation and a theme and a new location for the Gala Dinner.
Instead of the Warldorf Ballroom the event took place at Moma.
I got to see the first 3 acts of the performance before heading over to the Museum.
James Taylor was, as always fabulous as the MC. With Guitar in hand he sang and introduced Bette Midler. She is such a star in my book. Next came out Steve Martin with a 5 string banjo. Who knew he could play one? I didn't.
In the pouring rain I headed over to Moma and was excited to see the little C's all over the wall created by the talented lighting team.
See if you can spot John Travolta and his wife. I nearly missed them. They came in right before the lights went out and I started photographing before I knew who it was. They went by so fast I didn't even know it was them.

To view all the photos please click on Carnegie Hall Gala Link

Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala 2011

What a night it was. Lisa Schiff thanked her daughter Ashley during her speech at Jazz at Lincoln Center telling everyone that it was Ashley who came up with the idea for Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton to do a show together and then Ashley made it happen. The gala night was the first of 3 concerts which raised over four million dollars. The first night alone raised over three and a half million dollars.
After the amazing concert everyone headed to Roselands. There were musicians galore. As I walked in the first person I saw was John Legend congratulating Wynton.
After dinner people made to the dance floor.
I am still spinning from the night. To view all the photos please click on The Jazz@ Lincoln Center Gala Link

Anita and Sunil

We had been planning to get together for weeks and finally Saturday was here. Luckily the weather was not as it was forecast and the sun was out. Anita and Sunil came to my studio so I could take a portrait of the 2 of them. We decided that as the weather was great we would head to the Brooklyn Bridge but first we made a stop at their apartment so Anita could change her shoes. It is true, neither of them had every walked across the mighty structure so I was excited to make the journey with them. There were hundreds of people and yet some how I managed to snap a shot that makes it look like they were there alone.
I can not wait for the wedding which will be taking place in Boston soon.

Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis at Jazz @ Lincoln Center

I am having most amazing week. It started on Monday at 10 am. I have been sitting in on rehearsals at Jazz @ Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton. Eric came to NY to play 3 benefit shows and together these guys came up with an extraordinary play list. It has been awesome watching Wynton and his band collaborate with Eric.
And if that was not enough Tah Mahal flew in on Wednesday to open for the guys last night. Here are the official photos that I took that were released to the press.
After the concert the dinner was held at Roselands. When I get through with all the concert photos I will post the party pic's.