The Knights Hold Annual Benefit Gala

Two weeks ago The Knights  held their annual benefit, a concert and dinner in Tribeca. Mela Hacklish, their board chair, extoled, "To everyone here we offer sincere thanks for your extraordinary partnership and support that empowers our musical innovation. We've many surprises for you tonight!"  and thus the orchestra launching onto a stunning concert that included Mozart, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich as well as contemporary music.  

Pianist Inon Barnantan joined the orchestra on stage with Knights co-founder and conductor Eric Jacobsen welcoming him,  "Inon’s invested in the future of The Knights and what we’re doing". Virtuoso clarinetist Kinan Azmeh performed an original composition, "Wedding" and offered, “Falling in love is one of the true human rights that no one can take away from us. This music I hope is a little like that." Next came a new arrangement of the gospel "I'll Fly Away", led by Christina Courtin who led the audience to sing the refrain. Ending with a performance of  "The Big Noise from Winnetka", The Knights received a standing ovation.

Photos courtesy of PR

The Look Breakdown

Thank you for all the love and compliments on my recent look!  I listed the basics on The Gram but I thought since it was so popular, I'd do a formal post and provide a more detailed breakdown for you all.  Scroll down for more pics, and the breakdown at the bottom!

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dress: Baby Blue
Shoes: Betsey Johnson
Earrings: Vivi Sun Jewelry

Lashes: Kiss Flirty
Nails: imPress Press on Manicure
Makeup: by ME
Products: Eve Pearl HD Pro Palette, Max Factor Masterpiece Nude Palette Contouring Eye Shadows 01 Cappuccino Nudes, L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara in Black Noir, Chella Tantalizing Taupe Eyebrow Pencil, bare Minerals All Over Face Color and Original Mineral Veil, lavera Glossy Lips in Sweet Melon
Brushes: eco Tools (of course!)
Hair: by ME
Products:  L'Oreal Paris Lock it Weather Control Hairspray (my mother recently introduced me to this one and I LOVE it!) BaByliss Pro Curling Iron 2".
And although you obviously can't see it, I topped everything off with one of my fave fragrances: Amo Ferragamo

If there's anything I missed or that you have questions on, let me know and I'll do my best to find it for you! 

Publicolor Holds 23rd Annual Stir Splatter & Roll Gala

 Last month, Publicolor celebrated their 23rd annual gala, Stir Splatter + Roll at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City.

The evening’s colorful cocktail hour had 13 painting stations for guests to participate with some of NYC’s leading artists, designers, and architects including Nicole Miller, Paul Haigh, Pamela Bell, Marvel Architects, Judy Ross, and Tucker Viemeister. New York based string quartet Ethel played as guests sat for dinner.

Ruth Lande Shuman, founder of Publicolor, marched proudly into the room with her students while We Are Family played in the background.  Ruth thanked the guests for their long-time support and commitment to helping Publicolor improve the lives of their students. Ruth welcomed Board member Gene Kohn to the stage who expressed his admiration for Ruth and appreciation for being a part of Publicolor.  Gene graciously introduced his friend and 2019 honoree Tommy Craig.  Tommy expressed his gratitude stating, "For those who have grown up with, we have a moral duty to be generous of those who are not."   Trustee Patricia Harris took to the stage to express her admiration and praise for her dear friend and honoree Ed Skyler who spoke about color and expressed, “Color has the power to inspire and transform.”  Ruth announced the evening’s final honoree, Dr. David Kirkland, who passionately said “Let your hopes and not your hurts create your future.” As the evening came to an end, dozens of students performed Ain’t No Mountain High Enough . The closing song is an annual tradition as it symbolizes that there is no limit to what these students can achieve with Publicolor by their side.

 

 

Photos courtesy of Publicolor by Annie Watt

El Museo del Barrio Hosts 50th Anniversary Gala

 

El Museo Del Barrio Director Patrick Charpenel, El Museo Del Barrio Chair Maria Eugenia Maury, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner of NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Tom Finkelpearl

Last week, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed from the stage of the Plaza Hotel Dia de El Museo Del Barrio at El Museo’s 50^th anniversary celebration, May 2, 2019. “The creation of El Museo is one of the moments where history started to change,” said the Mayor as he presented an official proclamation from the City.  This was only one of the surprises in a Gala evening that honored Ella Fontanals-Cisneros, Craig Robins, and El Museo’s founding director, artist Raphael Montanez Ortiz and raised in excess of $1.2 million.

El Museo board chair Maria Eugenia Maury opened the evening with spirited remarks invoking Latina activist Dolores Huerta who said, "Walk the streets with us into history. Get off the sidewalk." The evening was MC’d by WNBC TV Lynda Baquero with nearly 500 guests dancing in black tie. Executive director Patrick Charpenel expressed the feelings of many when he shared, “El Museo del Barrio is a museum created by and for the community in response to the cultural marginalization faced by Puerto Ricans in New York…Today, issues of representation and social justice remain central to Latinos in this country."

Artist Rirkrit Travanija introduced longtime supporter Craig Robins who received the Outstanding Patron of Art and Design Award. Craig graciously shared, “The growth and impact of this museum is nothing short of extraordinary.”  

El Museo chairman emeritus and artist, Tony Bechara, introduced Ella Fontanals-Cisneros who received the Outstanding Patron of the Arts award, noting her longtime support of Latin artists including early support Carmen Herrera, both thru acquiring her work and presenting it at her Miami intuition, Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation (CIFO).  With her family around her, Fontanals-Cisneros accepted the award elegantly in Spanish.

Sisters Ela Troyano and Carmelita Tropicana Troyano warmly welcomed their friend, Raphael Montanez Ortiz to the stage and read from a message from Chon A. Noriega that noted his importance to the Latinx community as well his remarkable body of work in many genres.  From a seat on the stage the handsome 85 year old artist led guests in his signature audience participation concert first activated in 1966. With the assistance of Executive Director Patrick Charpenel, the entire Plaza Ballroom audience took  white paper bags, wrote on them “whatever garbage or worries they have,” inflated the bags and “popped their worries away.” 

A live auction was conducted by Gabriela Palmieri, Senior Vice President of Sotheby’s, and daughter of legendary jazz artist Eddie Palmieri.  Gabriela made a loving donation on behalf of her mother Iraida Palmieri. Guests enjoyed magnums of Moet & Chandon at every table, danced to Latin music by Avenida B and a special performance by La Voz contestant Manny Cabo. 

 

Manny Cabo

 

 

 The live auction

  

Avenida B  

 

 

  Photos courtesy of  PMC/Aurora Rose and Krista Kennell