STYLE 1 MEDIA >>> ARTS + CULTURE

Friends of Bezalel Annual Gala Delights Guests with Claymation Workshop

Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, 1941 Broadway, NY, NY | 01.24.2012 | by Merry Esparza

On January 24th, the Friends of Bezalel held their annual gala to support the prestigious Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. The event spotlighted the Academy's first-class animation program, featuring a pre-dinner Claymation Workshop conducted by Professor Rony Oren, Senior Animation Lecturer and former Head of Screen Based Arts at Bezalel. Friends of Bezalel Vice President Sivia Loria received the inaugural Blanche and Romie Shapiro Award for Outstanding Service to Bezalel. (Left: Bezalel International Relations and Resource Development Director, Liv Sperber; Friends of Bezalel Chairman,
Ilan Kaufthal; Friends of Bezalel Executive Director, Rebecca Tobin) more...

Art Basel Miami Beach 10th Anniversary

Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL | 12.01-12.4.2011 | by Merry Esparza

Art Basel Miami Beach, the most prestigious art show in the Western Hemisphere, welcomed a record 50,000 visitors to its tenth edition at the Miami Beach Convention Center from December 1-4, 2011. A companion to Switzerland's 42-year old Art Basel, the show featured more than 260 galleries from 30 countries, and represented over 2,000 artists. A major draw for international art collectors, museum directors, curators, and celebrities, the show presents the best and latest in 20th and 21st Century painting, drawing, sculpture, installation art, photography, film, and video. It also offers a host of special exhibitions, events, panel discussions, and private collection tours. (left: Louise Bourgeois, "Cell (Twelve Oval Mirrors)," 1998) more...

Bass Museum of Art "Erwin Wurm: Beauty Business" Exhibition

2100 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL | 11.30.2011 | by Merry Esparza

More than 4,000 art lovers flocked to Miami's Bass Museum of Art for the opening of "Erwin Wurm: Beauty Business," an exhibition produced in collaboration with Dallas Contemporary, and scheduled to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach 2011. Erwin Wurm, who lives and works in Vienna, Austria, attended the Museum's VIP reception on November 30th along with Bass Museum Board President, George Lindemann; Executive Director and Chief Curator, Silvia Karman Cubiná; Dallas Contemporary Director, Peter Doroshenko; gallerist Thaddaeus Ropac, who represents the artist in Salzburg and Paris; and Rachel Lehmann and David Maupin, who represent Mr. Wurm in New York. (left: Erwin Wurm with Lehmann Maupin Gallery Director, Rachel Lehmann) more...

Pratt Institute 2011 Legends Awards Gala

7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, NY, NY | 11.01.2011 | by Merry Esparza

On November 1st, Pratt Institute held its Legends 2011 Scholarship Benefit, honoring artist and musician Laurie Anderson; interior designer, furniture designer, and artist Juan Montoya; and artist, filmmaker, and photographer William Wegman. More than 300 supporters attended Pratt's largest annual scholarship benefit, raising over $400,000. Since 1999 the Legend Awards have been presented each year to outstanding recipients in the art and design world whose achievements reflect Pratt's values. The gala, hosted by Pratt President Thomas F. Schutte and Board of Trustees Chair Mike Pratt, was held atop 7 World Trade Center, affording breathtaking views of New York City and its harbor. (left: Agnes Gund presents Legends 2011 Award to William Wegman. Photo: Joshua Wong.) more...

Musicians Turn Up the Heat at the Jazz Foundation's Annual Jazz Loft Party

Hudson Studios, 601 West 26th Street, NY, NY | 10.29.2011 | by Merry Esparza

It was a cold, snowy Saturday night in New York City on October 29th, but legendary jazz greats turned up the heat at the Jazz Foundation's (JFA) 20th Annual Jazz Loft Party at Hudson Studios. Sponsored by luxury timepiece producers Parmigiani Fleurier, the event featured performances by Lou Reed; Randy Weston; Tom Harrell Quintet; Omar Edwards; Ron Carter; Dr. Lonnie Smith with Donald Harrison and Herlin Riley; Black Rock Coalition Orchestra; The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band; Red Morgan; Jessy Carolina and the Hot Mess; Jimmy Norman; and more. Notable attendees included JFA Advisory Board Member, actor Michael Imperioli, singer/songwriter Roberta Flack, and choreographer/dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. (left: Lou Reed performs) more...

Ice Theatre of New York's "Dare To Be Different" Benefit Gala and Performance

Sky Rink & The Lighthouse, Pier 61, Chelsea Piers, NY, NY | 10.24.2011 | by Merry Esparza

The Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY) welcomed supporters to its 2011 "Dare To Be Different" Annual Benefit Gala and Performance at the Chelsea Piers this week. The gala featured a program of dazzling ice dance choreography and performance from ITNY's 2011/2012 Season repertoire, followed by a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, dinner, and an awards ceremony at The Lighthouse. ITNY Artistic Director Moira North, and Executive Director
Jirina Ribbens shared the podium to honor three-time U.S. National Champion and two-time Olympian, Johnny Weir, and benefactors Margarita Sears and Ice Rink Events.
(left: ITNY Artistic Director Moira North and Honoree Johnny Weir) more...

Morrison Hotel Gallery 10th Anniversary Gala Rocks the Cutting Room

The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, NY, NY | 10.13.2011 | by Merry Esparza

On October 13th, the Morrison Hotel Gallery celebrated its 10th anniversary as the preeminent gallery for music-related fine art photography, bringing notable exhibitions and photographs to music fans and collectors. Founders Henry Diltz, Peter Blachley, and Rich Horowitz, threw a rockin' party and benefit concert at the new Cutting Room in Manhattan. Famous music and celebrity photographers in attendance included Julian Lennon, Neal Preston, Mick Rock, Ken Regan, Danny Clinch, Timothy White, and Bob Gruen. Other notable guests included actors Dominic Chianese and Danny Aiello; musicians John Sebastian and Jonathan Edwards; and former John Lennon girlfriend, May Pang. (left: Henry Diltz, Rich Horowitz, Julian Lennon, and Peter Blachley) more...

NYC Dance Alliance Foundation "Bright Lights! Shining Stars!" Gala

NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place, NY, NY | 08.01.2011 | by Merry Esparza

On August 1st NYC Dance Alliance Foundation (NYCDAF) held its biggest annual event, the "Bright Lights! Shining Stars! Gala," at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The grand celebration of song and dance began with a red-carpet cocktail reception, followed by an evening of fabulous guest performances by Broadway stars and dance companies. NYCDAF presented the first Ambassador For The Arts Award to Guest of Honor, music legend Roberta Flack, and awarded more than $50,000 in college scholarships based on auditions held the previous evening. The evening finished with a star-studded champagne and dessert reception. (left: Guest of Honor Roberta Flack) more...

Jennifer Muller/The Works Opening Night Gala Dinner and Silent Auction

Cedar Lake Theater, 547 W26th St. & Chelsea Art Museum 556 W22nd St, NY, NY | 06.23.2011 | by Merry Esparza

From June 22nd-26th, Jennifer Muller/The Works premiered The White Room, a new evening-length piece performed at the Cedar Lake Theater in Chelsea. On June 23rd, a Gala Dinner and Silent Auction followed the performance in celebration of the debut and to honor the Phoenix Partners Group, lead corporate sponsor for the company's education programs. Founder and Artistic Director Jennifer Muller (shown left) welcomed supporters to the Chelsea Art Museum for the gala, along with Corporate Chair Dr. Gary E. Hayes, and Co-Chairs
Alison Price Becker, Peter Buffington, and Brendan G. Burnett. The company, cast, and crew were present. more...

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum Celebrates Iconic New York

Center 548, 548 West 22nd Street, NY, NY | 06.06.2011 | by Merry Esparza

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum honored former New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch and former Tenement Museum Board Chair Raymond O'Keefe at its annual gala on June 6th. The event celebrated the Museum's 23 years of promoting historical perspective by highlighting Manhattan's Lower East Side immigrant experience. The evening began with a food fest featuring tastings from some of the city's best-loved restaurants and caterers representing an ethnic mix of delicacies. Next, guests enjoyed a special performance from the new play Liberty: A Monumental New Musical. The evening concluded with the awards program accompanied by delicious gourmet desserts. (left: Museum Founder Ruth Abrams; Former Mayor Ed Koch with the Urban Pioneer Award) more...

World Science Festival Opening Night Gala

Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, NY, NY | 06.01.2011 | by Merry Esparza

This week New York City welcomed back the Annual World Science Festival, a five-day event whose mission is to bring the wonder of science to the public. From June 1st through 5th, the Festival presents approximately fifty events, performances, and panel discussions featuring prominent scientists and artists. On June 1st the Festival celebrated its Opening Night Gala with a stage reading of actor Alan Alda’s new play Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. Performers included Bill Camp, Mireille Enos, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney, David Morse, Liev Schreiber, and Brent Sexton. Bob Balaban directed the performance. (left: Alan Alda) more...

BOMB 30th Anniversary Gala And Silent Auction

Capitale, 130 Bowery, NY, NY | 04.15.2011 | by Merry Esparza

It was difficult to find a guest who was not an eminent artist, writer, actor, musician, curator, or museum director at BOMB Magazine's 30th Anniversary Gala at Capitale. The New York-based art and literary magazine, headed by Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Betsy Sussler, celebrated its birthday on April 15th with a silent art auction, dinner, and program honoring artist Marina Abramovic; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation Director, Richard Armstrong; former Art in America editor, Betsy Baker, and bestselling author, Francine Prose. (Left: author Michael Cunningham; MoMA Chief Curator of Media, Klaus Biesenbach; actress Kim Cattrall; and musician Michael Stipe) more...