New Yorker's for Children Gala 2009

Tuesday night had me rushing across town in the thick of the traffic racing to get to Ciprianni 42nd St before the guests. Obama had been in town and now that the UN is in session taxis are the slowest form of transport. Somehow I got there just in time to be ahead of the rush of beautifully dressed people as they arrived. Anderson Cooper hosted the event and Mary J Blige was the honoree It was a night of raising money for children in foster care here in NY.

Tosca at the Met

Monday Night was the Metropolitan Opera's Gala with the performance of the Tosca and the dinner to follow in the Tent at Damrosch Park. There were so many celebrities it was hard to keep track of them all. Peter Gelb and his beautiful wife Keri-Lynn Wilson were on the run all night long saying hello to every one. I am a big Law and Order fan and so I was excited to see Sam Waterston and his wife. They were so nice to photograph and didn't mind stopping at all.
I even got to see the opera. It was broadcast live out on the plaza. I loved it. The weather was perfect. Then it was into the tent were I was lucky to be seated. There was a Tuscan theme with antipasto followed by pasta and then gelato and little cakes to follow. The tent looked beautiful and was designed by David Stark.

New Yorker's for Children

I had been waiting since Monday for Wednesday to arrive. One of my favorite charities was hosting its Spring Gala. New Yorkers for Children lived up to my expectations. The Dinner and dancing took place in the ballroom at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I introduced myself to Nicholas Scoppetta who is himself a former foster child. Now he is the New York City Fire Commissioner. He has worked hard to help bring awareness and financial support to the many children in foster care here in New York. Thank you Mr Scoppetta for all the work you do.
The room looked beautiful. Decorated by David Stark, there were daffodils on every table. It was as if the magic of the Central Park view had found its way up to the 33rd floor.
The night owed its success to all the co-chairs above.
Amy McFarland, Susan Magazine, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Vanessa von Bismarck, Rory Hermelee, Allison Aston, Nicholas Scoppetta, Susan Shin, Lydia Fenet, Joy Bryant.
I am amazed at all the different styles and colors I am seeing this year. Dresses are long or short, bright and bold or soft and pastel. There is still black but it has to be really fabulous to catch my eye in an ocean of color
The biggest dancer of the night award goes to Serena William. She was bare foot and having a ball!