TGATP is just mad for dancers! In my years on the NY social beat, I have met and partied with some truly gifted artists, who are, refreshingly, totally devoid of pretense. Thus, TGATP was honored to attend this year’s American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala, celebrating the opening of its 71st Anniversary Season, at the Metropolitan Opera. Honorary Chairwomen for the night were First Lady Michelle Obama, Caroline Kennedy, Carolina Herrera and Blaine Trump. The evening opened with a stunning selection of one-time only performances, featuring excerpts from the upcoming season, by ABT’s world-renowned dancers. There was also as a special tribute to Principal Dancer Jose Manuel Carreňo to commemorate his farewell season which included a special appearance by Lorena and Lorna Feijoo. Following the performance, an elegant black-tie dinner dance took place in the Tent at Lincoln Center.
Noted Attendees included: Honorary Co-Chair Caroline Kennedy, Honorary Co-Chair Blaine Trump, Honorary Co-Chair Carolina Herrera, Co-Chair Sloan Lindemann Barnett, Co-Chair Diane B. Wilsey, Co-Chair Henri Barguirdjian, Co-Chair Robin Chemers Neustein, Corporate Co-Chairs Karin and Steve Sadove (Saks), Corporate Co-Chair Christine and Renaud Dutreil (Graff), Vice Co-Chairs Elizabeth and Donald Kramer, Vice Co-Chairs Paula and John Mahoney, Vice Co-Chair Nancy McCormick Vella, Junior Co-Chair Daniel Cappello, Junior Co-Chair Blair Husain, Junior Co-Chair Alexandra Kerry, Junior Co-Chair Lily Johnson White, Junior Co-Chair Josette Winograd, Chairman Emerita Aileen Mehle, Prince (yes THAT Prince!), Denis O’Hare, Alice and Lorne Michaels, Anna Wintour, Zang Toi, Tory Burch and Lyor Cohen, Naeem and Ranjana Khan, Helen and Tim Schifter, Christian Siriano, Angel Sanchez, Narciso Rodriguez, Tyne Daly, Raul Esperanza, Terrence McNally, Al Roker and Deborah Roberts, Fe and Alessandro Fendi, Elletra Wiedemann, Lynda Carter, Susan Fales-Hill, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Jill and Bobby Zarin, Alexandra Lebenthal, Anka Palitz, Sharon Patrick, Miss Universe 2010 Angela Martini, Harriet Cole, and yours truly, That Girl At The Party.
Due to Cannes, this year’s event was not as star-studded as the previous one. But the appearance of Prince Roger Nelson was an unexpected and welcome one. TGATP only wishes he would have let his hair down a bit and perhaps joined the band for a number! He’s been famous for so long that it’s a shame that he seems imprisoned by that fame. Life, at that great height, should be a 24-7 blast! In addition, last year’s gala was a bit more magical (and warm and fuzzy) for TGATP, perhaps because it was my first, and the former ABT Special Events Coordinator sagely seated me for dinner, with some truly wonderful people. However, it was still an amazing night out and the performance left me both teary-eyed and breathless. The ABT Gala also distinguishes itself because the dinner portion of the night is always a full on dance party. Unlike the more buttoned up vibe at a lot of society galas, the ABT crowd breaks all the way out after dinner and the guests let totally lloose on the dance floor.
For schedule and ticket info for the 2011 ABT Season, go to: www.abt.org
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