Times Square Gossip

  Elton Ilirjani With Jean Shafiroff Samuel Waxman With Rachelle Cohen, Marion Waxman & Barney Cohen The 10th Annual Waxman Luncheon, benefiting the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF), took place in New York City at a new venue, Riverpark. The fundraising event featured a live, thrilling fashion show by legendary designer, Josie Natori, showcasing the Spring 2024 collection. This year’s honoree was Barney Cohen, Managing Director and Wealth Partner at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, was recognized for his commitment to supporting collaborative cancer research.   More than 150 guests attended the affair and helped raise nearly $175,000 to support crucial SWCRF initiatives such as the International Network on Aging and Cancer and the Women's Cancer Research Program.    Ann Liguori Erica Fineberg With Marion Waxman & Jani Gerard In addition to the fashion presentation, guests were treated to an exciting live auction and had the opportunity to win a Mikimoto Akoya

  Mike Sepso With Chloe Flower Brian Stokes Mitchell With Lorraine Gallard, James Gandre & Ted Chapin Manhattan School of Music (MSM)  hosted its 2024 Gala, at the iconic Rainbow Room, Rockefeller Plaza, in New York City.  The gala honored two-time Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell and longtime Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization President Ted Chapin. A celebration of the school’s prestigious Musical Theatre Program, the evening was hosted by MSM alumnus, Broadway mainstay, and Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley, and featured performances by current students of the MSM Musical Theatre Program as well as solo performances by Alysia Velez, MSM alumna and star of the acclaimed 2022 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. All performers were either MSM alumni or current students, and the evening featured Musical Direction by David Loud, legendary Broadway Musical Director and MD of the MSM Musical Theatre Program.  Pianist and MSM Artistic Staff member Shane Schag

  Noreen Donovan With Luisa Diaz Jean Shafiroff The Luisa Diaz Foundation celebrated a milestone 10th anniversary black tie MAG gala at The Plaza Hotel. The annual event this year honored a decade of changing lives in communities across America with 2024 focusing on two organizations - Safe Passage Heals and Sanctuary for Families. It was a grand “Celebration of Kindness” attended by important international changemakers from across the globe and underpins the organization’s motto that “kindness is cool.” The survivors surprised Luisa with a proclamation from the New York State Senate recognizing the work she is doing with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking as well as living up to her overarching theme of "Kindness is Cool"  by proclaiming May 15th,  "Luisa Diaz Day." Last year Mayor Adams proclaimed May 18th (the date of the gala) as “Kindness is Cool Day” in NYC forevermore. A Kindness is Cool festival will be held this Saturday, May 18th (“Kindne

  Jean Shafiroff Jean Shafiroff With Sabine Riglos And Denise Rich The Viennese Opera Ball - the oldest and most prestigious outside of Vienna - held its annual celebration for the 68th year at The Plaza Hotel in New York City with over 400 guests, under the auspices of the U.S. Austrian Chamber of Commerce, and organized by Executive Director, Silvia Frieser and The Event Atelier. The Gala chairs for the evening were Denise Rich and Jean Shafiroff. This gala benefitted the music therapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with support from Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research and was “A Night inspired by ‘Aida’”, from the opera Aida by Giuseppe Verdi led under the artistic direction of Daniel Serafin with Austrian conductor, Maestro Vinicius Kattah.   Silvia Frieser Elton Ilirjani The vice chairs were Peter Thomas Roth and Sylvia Hemingway. Guests of Honor and Top opera stars performed arias from the opera Aida by Verdi including Grammy Award-Winners Leah Cro

  Campaigning For President NEW YORK -- What is the best-selling rock & roll biographer in the show business realm doing, writing a book on politics with “Campaigning For President?” asks author Mark Bego, “One of the reasons why this is a viable transition into another literary genre for me, is that political campaigns are 90% show business, and the act of finding an audience and playing to it—just like the music business.”  Bego, whose last two books— “Band of Gold” with Freda Payne, and “Joe Cocker:  With A LOT of Help from His Friends”—both from Yorkshire Publishing—electrified the charts and further solidified his position as “the Prince of Pop Biographies” (a title given to him by Publisher’s Weekly).  On the heels of the Cocker biography, Bego was approached about reviving and updating the popular 2008 book: “Campaigning For President.”  According to him, “I am always up for a new literary adventure—and this seemed like a fun and historically relevant one to be involved wit

  Southampton Inn Dining @ Claude's   This Mother’s Day, the Southampton Inn is a joyous place for Mothers and families to have a wonderful weekend getaway. Mother’s Day Sunday – Thursday May 16th rates start at $225 per night, plus tax and fees. The outdoor heated pool will be open for guests to experience an early start to the season on May 10th.  The Inn’s award-winning Claude’s Restaurant will be serving its famous “best” brunch from 10:00am to 3:00pm, including a “Momosa” for mom on Sunday May 12th (available to overnight guests as well as the community and day visitors). Outside dining is available weather permitting.  As always, village shops are delightful, art galleries are enticing, and strolling through historic streets or along ocean beaches is rejuvenating.  About the Southampton Inn: The Southampton Inn has 90 thoughtfully appointed, charming rooms laid out in a Tudor style village design set in acres of manicured lawns in the heart of the village of Southampton. Worl

  Populares Mexican Restaurant   Populares Mexican Restaurant & Bar located on New York City’s Avenue B is the modern boutique establishment bringing a fresh perspective to traditional Mexican cuisine with an aim of delighting diners. Serving up popular Mexican dishes infused with a contemporary twist, guests can enjoy tasty entrees and drinks in the inviting atmosphere that blends retro-stylish décor with the fun vibes that are uniquely found in the popular neighborhood.  Populares is becoming a culinary destination that celebrates the flavors, colors, and vibrancy of Mexico while paying homage to the eclectic energy of the East Village. Whether guests are dining in the cozy dining area, enjoying the private dining space, enjoying drinks at the sleek bar, they are invited to immerse themselves in the lively spirit of Populares for dinner or brunch.   Lamb Chop This Sunday May 5th is Cinco de Mayo – a celebration of a Mexican victory which ultimately led to the country’s independen

  Jean Shafiroff With Michael Bloomberg & B. Michael A record $4.6 million raised for Central Park at  this year’s Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon Over 1200  supporters attended Central Park's  64th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon which raised in excess of $4.6 million. The event more commonly known as the Central Park " Hat Luncheon" is considered the number one luncheon of the year in New York City. Women dress in their favorite hats along with matching outfits.  The luncheon attracts guests from all over the country. The Women's Committee of the Central Park Conservancy attracts a top tier crowd to the event and those who feel committed to supporting Central Park because of its great value to NYC.  Spotted among the many guests were former Mayor Michael Bloomberg , Jean Shafiroff,  Christine Schwarzman, Deborah Norville, Bonnie Comley, Grace Hightower, President and CEO of  the Central Park Conservancy-  Betsy Smith , Katherine Gage Boulud, a

  Viennese Opera Ball The New York City social calendar will be filled with several important fundraisers this year. Plan for galas and shows that will help raise money for organizations that are having a positive impact on communities throughout the City and make a difference.  The New York Women’s Foundation will host their Celebrating Women Breakfast on May 8th at New York Marriott Marquis. The signature affair signature event will pay tribute to extraordinary honorees and Grantee Partners who are advancing innovative and bold solutions to create an equitable and just future for women and families in New York City and beyond. Honored guests include Foundation Chanel, Andrea Arroyo, New York Liberty, Cynthia Nixon, S. Mona Sinha, and Toshi Reagon. The group creates an equitable and just future for women, girls, gender-expansive individuals and their families by investing in bold, community-led solutions to ignite action for gender, economic, and racial justice.  Since 1987, The Found