Times Square Gossip

  J’Nai Bridges Manhattan School of Music (MSM) hosted the 2023 Gala at The Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Plaza, in New York City.   Bernie Williams   The gala honored long-time members of the MSM Board of Trustees Marcia Clay Hamilton and Edward Lowenthal. A celebration of the School’s prestigious Opera Studies Program, the evening featured performances by mezzo-soprano and two-time Grammy Award winner, Metropolitan Opera Artist J’Nai Bridges (BM’09), former New York Yankee, Latin Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist and MSM Trustee Bernie Williams (BM’16), recent MSM graduates and current MSM students, among other notable performers. All the scheduled performers were either MSM alumni or current students.  Among the recent graduates to perform included MSM alumni bass-baritone Le Bu (BM ’22) and baritone Daniel Rich (MM’19); both are currently in the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development program. Le Bu was a winner of the 2022 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, and earl

  Zackary Drucker MarieBelle New York is always ready to celebrate, showcasing outstanding chocolate creations for all to admire; the beloved house of sweets held a celebration party at their Flagship Broome Street Store for the launch of Hulu Original documentary "Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl" Directed by Zackary Drucker, Produced by Emmet McDermott with Executive Producer Scott Kaplan for CoverStory.  On the surface, Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl is a fun, nostalgic romp through the mid-2000s pop culture that dominated mainstream media and laid the foundation for current reality tv and the influencers of the social media generation. Interviews with the publicists, journalists, and, of course, socialites, that ruled the city in the early aughts, immerse us in the gilded world of heiress-era New York City. Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin Emmet McDermott With Ben Widdicombe, Zackary Drucker & Scott Kaplan   Notable attendees at the party included; Zackary Drucker

Jean Shafiroff Dr Samuel Waxman With Marion Waxman And Dr Paul Jarrod Frank The annual Waxman Luncheon, benefitting the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF), took place on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023, at AVRA Madison in New York. The luncheon honored Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank for his continued support of the SWCRF mission and passion for scientific advancement, raised in excess of $165,000. A live fashion presentation by Max Mara featured their stunning Spring/Summer 2023 Collection. Funds raised will support crucial SWCRF initiatives such as the International Network on Aging and Cancer Research and the Women’s Cancer Research Program.    Larry Scott The Waxman Luncheon also included a live auction, silent auction, and raffle with specially curated lots featuring generous donations from companies such as Chopard, Movado, Jimmy Choo, Schiaparelli, Fendi, Arlotta Cashmere, and The Baker House 1650. Heritage Auctions were the official auctioneer.  Notable attendees at the Waxman Lu

  Alexei Tartakovsky Star pianist Alexei Tartakovsky is set to perform at the legendary Merkin Hall in New York City on Friday, June 9th, 2023. His performance at Merkin Hall will be a masterclass in piano recitals.  Alexei’s performance will include a repertoire with classical pieces from Beethoven, Schumann and Rachmaninoff.  Laureate of the 2021 International Beethoven Competition in Bonn, Germany, Russian-American pianist Alexei Tartakovsky has been called a “fantastic musician and pianist” by Martha Argerich and “truly exceptional…superb playing…a thoughtful and serious musician” by the New York Concert Review.  His tonal palette, profound musicianship, superb technique, and exciting artistic approach have thrilled audiences worldwide and established him as one of the brightest talents of his generation.​ He first brought attention to his artistry by winning three top prizes in a one-year span (2006-2007) at the Rolf and Brigitte Gardey International Competition in Daytona Beach,

  Jean Shafiroff Jean Shafiroff With Rita Cosby And Judy Gilbert The not-for-profit animal rescue organization, Rescue Dogs Rock NYC (RDRNYC) held their ‘Cocktails for Canines’ annual gala in New York City. The cocktail and dinner reception gala raised funds and awareness to help animals in need and was co-chaired by Georgina Bloomberg and Lara Trump.  The Charity has acquired their own rescue and rehabilitation center in Suffolk County on Long Island giving Rescue Dogs Rock NYC a home to care for dogs in need. This allows the charity to save many more needy and deserving dogs. The center sits on half an acre and allows indoor/outdoor kennels and has lots of outdoor space. Georgina Bloomberg  The development of the center is a project which has been 3 years in the making. Rescue Dogs Rock NYC is excited to have come this far. Despite raising $150,000 at the Gala, the charity still anticipates requiring approximately $150,000 to get the rescue center ready, to open it and start taking i

  Samuel Waxman The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) hosted a special Cocktail Party on Wednesday, April 27th, 2023, at Versa in New York City to kick off two vital SWCRF fundraising events: the 19th Annual Hamptons Happening and the virtual Step Up To Turn Off Cancer endurance event. Events such as these have allowed SWCRF to invest more than $100 million towards collaborative cancer research programs, supporting hundreds of investigators around the world. SWCRF-funded scientists have made many breakthrough discoveries in the fight against cancer. For more information visit www.waxmancancer.org .   Leesa Rowland Notable attendees included: Dr. Samuel Waxman, SWCRF CEO and Founder, this year’s Hamptons Happening honorees Lori and Scott Levine, Richard Kind, James Ingram, Leesa Rowland, Orital Karelic, Marion Waxman, designer Kobi Halperin, Randi Schatz, Nadja Sayej, Brigitte Segura, event chairs Mark D. Friedman and Jamie Koff, and event co-chairs, Bryan Griffin, Elena

  Luisa Diaz The Mi Amor Graciousness (MAG) Gala, in support of survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The Luisa Diaz Foundation, founded in 2020 hosts its annual event which returns to New York for its Ninth anniversary on Thursday, May 18th, 2023 starting at 6:30pm at The iconic Plaza Hotel with an evening of compassion-meets-fashion and will include as a highlight the "Runway of Hope." Funds from the 2023 event will benefit three charities: Safe Passage Heals, Hope’s Door and Team TLC NYC. Survivors of domestic violence who have completed the program to break the vicious cycle of domestic abuse will walk in the MAG Gala’s empowerment fashion show, dressed by designers Jovani, Anne Fontaine and Chiara Boni. The walk on the runway signifies the transition from a place of darkness to one of hope and light. This year's celebration also includes an official proclamation from New York City declaring May 18, 2023, as "Kindness is Cool Day" from that d

  The Viennese Opera Ball The Viennese Opera Ball - the oldest and most prestigious outside of Vienna - will hold its annual celebration for the 67th year on Friday, May 12th, 2023, at The Plaza in New York City under the auspices of the U.S. Austrian Chamber of Commerce. The Gala chairs for the evening will be philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, who is also being honored and Denise Rich. This gala will benefit Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research and will be “A Night inspired by ‘Carmen’”, from the opera Carmen by Bizet.  The vice chairs will be Sylvia Hemingway and Peter Thomas Roth. Top opera stars will perform arias of the opera Carmen by Bizet including Stephen Costello and George Gagnidze, both in leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, and internationally accomplished opera singers Joyce El-Khoury and Nathalie Peña Comas.  In addition, a number of leading lights of the Austrian and New York Social scene will be present for the Viennese Opera Ball, including: Commissioner

  MarieBelle For Mothers Day MarieBelle is the ultimate Mother’s Day gift to show your appreciation for any mother figure who holds a special place in your heart.   The Mother’s Day Collection 2023 is now on sale in both boutiques and online. Love and appreciation are beautifully demonstrated with such delights as the 16-piece Mother's Day Chocolate Ganache Box ($54). Artfully crafted ganaches are made with the finest quality of cacao and ingredients to ensure a truly indulgent experience. Decadent dark chocolate enrobes a selection of different ganache flavors that include lavender, rose petals, espresso, passion fruit, vanilla and other sweet sensations. Each piece showcases an exquisite, miniature story within its designs, making the exclusive Mother’s Day chocolates a stunning work of art. All is presented in a signature MarieBelle blue box with a decorative hot pink sleeve. The Mother's Day Love Purse ($35) is made from vegan leather emblazoned with a signature logo and be

  Georgina Bloomberg NYC Second Chance Rescue hosted their 3rd annual Rescue Ball on Thursday April 27th, 2023 at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. The charity aims to raise critical funds to help continue their mission of providing second chances to critically ill, injured, and abused dogs and cats. The Rescue Ball celebrated 14 years and saving over 14,000 lives. Leesa Rowland NYC Second Chance Rescue honored Georgina Bloomberg and Joe Gatto with the “Hero Award” for their dedication to animal welfare, and Dr. Peter Roufail, DVM, for “Veterinarian of the Year.” The evening was Hosted by Tony and Grammy Award-Nominated Actress and Singer, Orfeh With Special Guests RHONJ’s Melissa Gorga and “Rock of Ages” Constantine Maroulis. The evening featured a vegan menu, specialty cocktails, live and silent auctions, and entertainment, followed by dancing to music by DJ GEO ROC and the Violin Diva. Melissa Gorga With Constantine Maroulis The live auction included opportunities for all guests to

  The New York Center For Children The New York Center for Children Board, Junior Board, Staff, and Volunteers, were honored to participate in the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell Ceremony on April 3, 2023.  It raised attention to the need for child abuse prevention and the life-changing, therapy services provided by the Center to help children heal from abuse.   April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The New York Center for Children is raising awareness about the prevalence of child abuse and the importance of working together to keep children safe. One in 5 children experience abuse or neglect before age 18. NYCC was proud to kick off Child Abuse Prevention month by ringing the opening bell to bring awareness to our vital mission of healing and preventing child abuse. NYCC's Board, Junior Board, staff and volunteers were honored to participate in the NYSE Opening Bell Ceremony. For 28 years, The New York Center for Children (NYCC) has been providing life-changing services to

  James Edstrom With Jerry Springer Very sad that Talk Show Legend and friend Jerry Springer has died at age 79. I first met Jerry Springer believe it or not at  Food Emporium supermarket for a charity event with Sarah Jessica Parker and supermodel Vandela over 30 years ago. I was really excited to meet him, he had just started his show and I loved watching when I had time. Jerry Springer was friendly from the start. The supermarket was still open during this charity event and I asked Sarah Jessica Parker and Jerry Springer for a photo behind the deli counter. Of course Jerry Springer said Let's go and Jerry and Sarah Jessica went behind the counter for some photos. Customers not knowing who they were started going up to the counter and ordering items and not to miss a beat, Jerry and Jessica put on gloves and started serving customers. I was on the floor laughing so so hard.  I really got to know Jerry Springer when I met Snapple Lady Wendy Kaufman on a plane to Chicago. I had kno

  Marion Waxman With Dr. Samuel Waxman The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF), a leading international organization dedicated to eradicating cancer hosted an exclusive networking event, introducing the Foundation’s new Associate Board leadership – Jessica Lynch, Bryan Griffin, and Elena Gibbs. The event was designed to engage new to mid-level professionals in advancing cancer research. Attendees heard from an SWCRF-funded investigator, Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who discussed recent progress in the fight against cancer thanks to SWCRF investments.  Guests were encouraged to learn more about the SWCRF Associate Board and sign up for the Step Up to Turn Cancer Off virtual fundraising event taking place on June 19 to 26, 2023.  Jessica Lynch With Bryan Griffin And Elena Gibbs Attendees enjoyed music by DJ Roman Chapelle and were treated to cocktails supplied by sponsor Celosa Rose Tequila and snacks donated by Eataly.  Notable attendees

   Francesco Francesco’s Foundation has been created to help prevent teenage suicide through providing financial support for education in schools, where the focus will be on prevention of all types of bullying including and in particular that of the LGBTQIA+ community, education about the risks of teenagers engaging in dangerous activities on-line, education about the risks of leaving fire-arms unsecured with teenagers in the house - all of which contribute to heightening risks of teenage suicide.  Seventeen-year-old Francesco took his life with an unsecured shotgun at 2.00 am on October 21st, 2021 on a warm October evening on a moonlit beach in the Hamptons. He was discovered by the police after a call from a school friend. He had to be identified by his dentist - so devastating is the destruction from a shotgun suicide. No parent should ever have to live with that image.  The aftermath of his death has devastated his two mothers, who lived apart, family and friends from Winchester Co