Friday, October 19, 2018

Casita Maria Celebrates it's Annual Fiesta 2018

 
Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Carlos Souza, and Mary Snow 

 Earlier this week, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education celebrated it's annual Fiesta 2018 at New York’s Plaza Hotel. Each year at Fiesta, the Casita Maria Gold Medal of Honor is awarded to outstanding individuals in recognition to their contribution to the worlds of arts, education, and philanthropy. This year, Casita Maria honored three exceptional philanthropic individuals: Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Mary Snow, and Carlos Souza. 
 
Cuban Actress Sissi Fleitas was the evening’s host. The Dinner Chairmen were Jacqueline Weld Drake, HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, and Carlos Mota. Casita Maria’s Chairman Jacqueline Weld Drake presented all three honorees with their Gold Medals of Honor. 
 
The Honorary Chairs were Elizabeth Peabody, Christine Schwarzman, and Lynn Wyatt. 
 
American-Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto performed two songs with guitarist Guilherme Monteiro. 
 
“I am proud to say that in 2018, our programs have served more than 1000 promising young members of the Bronx, East Harlem and Harlem communities,” said Board Chairman Jaqueline Weld Drake. She went on to say, “Looking ahead to what’s in store in 2019 and beyond, Casita Maria will continue to advance our mission and work to build a brighter, more creative, and culturally rich future for our children and all future residents of the South Bronx and East Harlem.” 

Casita Maria’s Executive Director, Haydee Morales, said “For more than 80 years, Casita Maria's educational and creative arts programs have opened doors of joy and opportunity for the youth, families, and communities we serve. We are proud of our history as the first and oldest Latino-serving charity in New York City, and look forward to many more years serving the people of East Harlem, Hunts Point and the South Bronx. Over the last year, we have redoubled our efforts to bring high- quality education to South Bronx youth, and to curate and present artists and performers who represent the best of the Bronx's diversity, beauty, and resilience.” 

Casita Maria’s annual benefit is an elegant and fun evening that begins with cocktails, followed by seated dinner, music and dancing by The Bob Hardwick Sound. Past honorees have included outstanding individuals such as Santiago Calatrava, Marcelo Claure, Roberto Cavalli, Patricia isneros, John Demsey, France Desmarais, Marta and Placido Domingo, Emilia and J. Pepe Fanjul, Joanna Fisher, Carlos Fuentes, Audrey Gruss, Agnes Gund, Rosaura Henkel, Audrey Hepburn, Carolina Herrera, Julio Iglesias, Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg, Eddie Palmieri, Elizabeth T. Peabody, Rodman C. Rockefeller, Julia Salvi, Daisy Soros, Hutton Wilkinson and Lynn Wyatt.
 
 
About Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education
 
Casita Maria was founded in 1934 by Claire and Elizabeth Sullivan.  For more than 80 years, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education has served as a cultural and community anchor for thousands of young people and their families in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Casita has earned a reputation as the first and oldest Latino charity in New York City. The mission of the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education is to empower youth and their families by creating a culture of learning through high quality social, cultural, and educational opportunities.
 
 
Olivia Palermo and Nicky Hilton Rothschild
 
Renee Rockefeller, Jennifer Creel, Alexandra Lind Rose
 
Princess Astrid Von Liechtenstein, Carlos Souza
 
 
 
Photos by:
Annie Watt/ Annie Watt Agency 
Gonzalo Marroquin /PMC
 

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