Times Square Gossip

  Thomas J Henry With Dr Elena Alvarez Westwood Thomas J. Henry celebrated his engagement to Dr. Elena Alvarez Westwood with an epic celebration at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel. Hundreds of guests traveled to San Juan, PR for an evening of live music and late-night dancing at the Isla Verde resort.   Guests arriving at the historic oceanfront property were greeted by an outdoor performance by the Earth Harp – a string instrument suspended across the entrance to the hotel with imagery matching the performance projected onto the hotel building.  A lavish cocktail reception set against the hotel’s iconic lobby saw intricate ice sculptures and 35 musicians from the Philharmonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico who played familiar compositions with a Latin twist. The couple requested an “unplugged” experience to encourage guests to fully engage with and enjoy the festivities.  The night’s entertainment featured an extraordinary lineup of Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin and othe...

Jean Shafiroff   Jean Shafiroff, a New York philanthropist and longtime champion of women’s rights, health care, underserved communities and animal welfare, is receiving international style recognition from Tatler, the British magazine known for its coverage of fashion, society and culture.   In its annual feature, The Gowns of the Year 2025, Tatler spotlights memorable fashion moments from across the year and around the world with two notables and their gowns each month. On the list featuring their most stylish gown wearers of 2025, based on their gowns worn throughout the year, the publication highlights Jean Shafiroff at a New York Women’s Foundation (NYWF) event she hosted last April, noting the elegance of her bow detailed gown and the glamorous atmosphere of the evening. Other famous names featured in their gowns included Jordan Roth, Princess Maria Carolina and Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon (January), The Marchioness of Bath, Millie Bobby Brown (February), Princ...

  Thomas J. Henry As SER of Puerto Rico marked its 75th anniversary, the organization announced a major expansion in its capacity to deliver specialized medical and rehabilitation services, made possible in large part by a generous $1 million donation from attorney and philanthropist Thomas J. Henry.  The donation is part of Thomas J. Henry’s broader global philanthropic initiative to expand access to specialized healthcare and elevate communities worldwide. These efforts are coordinated through his philanthropic center based in Corpus Christi, Texas, which oversees strategic investments in medical, educational, and community-based organizations to ensure measurable, long-term impact.  Henry’s contribution represents a transformative investment in healthcare access for children and adults across Puerto Rico. The funds will allow SER to recruit and retain highly specialized physicians in critical fields, including fetal and neonatal neurology, adult neurology, neuroimmunol...

  Dr. Maithili Rao With Elaine Quijano, Kavya Ballal & Kishore Ballal Manhattan School of Music (MSM) brought together supporters, artists, alumni, and distinguished guests for its biennial Precollege Gala - in support of MSM’s Saturday pre-conservatory program for students ages 8 to 18 - in New York City. Hosted by CBS News correspondent Elaine Quijano, the sold-out event honored Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard (PC ’98, HonDMA ’21) and internationally renowned spine surgeon Dr. Han Jo Kim (PC ’98), celebrating their exceptional professional achievements and the lasting influence of MSM’s Precollege Division.   Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed standout performances by rising stars from the Precollege program, including violinist Isaiah Shin (PC ’32), pianist Christopher Ramos (PC ’26), soprano Isabella Moon (PC ’26), and multi-talented performer Winter Donnelly (PC ’27). Their appearances reflected the institution’s mission to cultivate artistr...

  27th Annual Old Bags Luncheon The 27th Annual Old Bags Luncheon® launched with a luncheon for the event Committee was held by the organization at Renato’s in Palm Beach to benefit the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County. Notable Attendees at the Committee luncheon included: 2026 Chairs Lora Drasner and Marzia Precoda, as well as  Kristen Baran, Nancy Bush, Valerie Cooper, Beth Fishel, Robin Fleming, Nancy Haviland, Michelle Russell Johnson, Nikki Kahn, Sally Kimball, Ruchi Kotahwala, Todd L’Herrou, Lyndsey McMillan, Amy Morris, Cameron Neth, Theo Pace, Barbara Pendrill, Johanna Pomasan, Diane Retzer, Mia Rowe, Stephanie Schwed, Anne Speiser, Sonja Stevens, Karen Swanson, Gail Worth, and Joan Yanow. The signature fundraiser of the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, The Old Bags Luncheon®, next planned for Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, at The Breakers Palm Beach.   Those interested in donating a new or slightly used authentic designer handbag c...

Rhapsody In Bloom By Mitchell Rodbell   One Art Space will present The Space Between Us, a group exhibition curated by Mitchell Rodbell, at the gallery’s TriBeCa location at 23 Warren Street. The show brings together 13 featured artists, including Rodbell, Miyuki Fuji, Madhu Powar Garg, Marietta Gavaris, Yasuji Hirashiki, John Kneapler, Suyapa Quinn, Toby Rabiner, Candace Raney, Jacqueline Rey, Jules Schaffer, Susana Tavel and Heidi Teuscher, for a weeklong presentation that explores connection, contrast and the emotional charge that can live in the spaces we share. An opening reception will be held Thursday, January 15th, with a VIP hour from 6:00pm to 7:00pm followed by a public reception from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The exhibition will be on view Monday, January 12th through Sunday, January 18th, 2026. Rodbell, a New York City based artist known for work shaped by color, movement, and the textures of the natural world, curates the exhibition with an eye toward visual dialogue across s...

  Consuelo Vanderbilt-Costin Entrepreneur and seventh-generation Vanderbilt icon Consuelo Vanderbilt-Costin was honored with the Legacy & Leadership Award at the Latin Fashion Awards 2025, hosted by Latin Fashion Week Washington, at the historic Warner Theatre in Washington, DC. Celebrated for blending heritage with fresh, modern glamour, Vanderbilt-Costin continues to make her mark in today’s fashion world through creativity, philanthropy, and signature style. With her Homage Jewelry collection for HSN, she reimagined the timeless elegance of her family’s Gilded Age roots — an homage to five generations of women — transforming it into pearls and diamonds designed for the 21st century: polished, wearable, and made to shine in real life. The evening carried special meaning as the Latin Fashion Awards spotlight trailblazers from Latin America, the Iberian diaspora, and global voices redefining fashion through culture and innovation. Guided by the night’s motto, “Empower, Sustain,...

The Baker House 1650    With the holiday season well underway, plan a special night out or complete your gift shopping for everyone on your list with these unique get-togethers, gourmet goodies, fashion brands, inspirational reads, and a vacation. Family, friends, and significant others can revel in the finer pleasures that bring joy, happiness, and personal development  this holiday season and beyond.  For a gift that truly amazes, these exclusive finds are everything your loved ones will likely adore.  The Baker House 1650  For a Cozy Country Staycation If travel to the English Cotswolds is not an option this holiday season, why not be transported to a country estate imbued with the character of an English manor House in East Hampton, New York ?  The Baker House 1650, led by Antonella Bertello is a masterpiece of 17th Century Cotswold-inspired architecture. Throughout the property, guests find a sense of historical legacy and majestic aura from the c...

Jean Shafiroff   Jean Shafiroff, philanthropist, TV host, author and longtime board member and supporter of The New York Women’s Foundation (NYWF) hosted and underwrote an elegant 75 guest holiday reception at her New York residence in celebration of The New York Women's Foundation’s mission to advance gender, economic, and racial equity across the city. The gathering, held in the festive spirit of the season, highlighted the Foundation’s ongoing work to uplift women through strategic grantmaking and community-driven initiatives. New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright presented Citations to both Jean Shafiroff and The New York Women's Foundation for their outstanding work in philanthropy and in the effort to break the cycle of poverty.  Fashion Designer Malan Breton gave a vocal performance in the holiday season spirit.   Mary Baglivo With Jean Shafiroff And Ana L. Oliveira Leaders from The New York Women’s Foundation expressed gratitude for Shafiroff’s enduring...

  Theodora Pace And Barbara Pendrill Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County transported guests to the vibrant streets of Havana at its sold-out “Havana Nights” fundraising event at the historic Palm House in Palm Beach. The Cuban-inspired evening blended Latin flair, cocktails under the palms and high-energy entertainment with a powerful mission to expand access to mental-health care for vulnerable children, families and individuals across the region.   Guests gathered poolside for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before moving indoors, where lively Latin beats set the tone for gourmet Cuban-inspired food stations, a cigar-rolling station, an immersive rum-tasting experience by West Palm Beach’s own Revenge Rum, and a spirited live auction. The setting at Palm House, with its Old-World glamour and tropical ambiance, offered an ideal backdrop for an evening that celebrated both Cuban culture and Palm Beach style.   CFS Board The event was co-chaired by social phi...

  Jean Shafiroff Philanthropist, TV host, author  and longtime supporter and chairwoman of the Viennese Opera Ball Jean Shafiroff hosted and underwrote a reception with over 100 guests at her New York residence to officially kick off the 70th Annual Viennese Opera Ball, one of New York’s oldest and most prestigious white-tie galas celebrating Austrian culture, diplomacy, and the enduring friendship between Austria and the United States. The reception honored the Ball’s significant milestone year and gathered  supporters, cultural leaders, and patrons of the arts ahead of the landmark 70th Anniversary Viennese Opera Ball taking place in 2026. During the evening, NYS Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright (representing the NYS Assembly) awarded Citations to both Jean Shafiroff and the Viennese Opera Ball for their exemplary work in philanthropy.   This special evening included performances by acclaimed opera stars Elizabeth Sutphen, Soprano, and Brandon Cedel, Bass-Bar...

  Isaac Cruz Thomas J. Henry served as one of the official sponsors of a major night of boxing at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, headlined by the highly anticipated interim WBC super lightweight title fight between Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz and Lamont “Reaper” Roach Jr.  The four-fight card, carried live on Prime Video Pay-Per-View, delivered twelve rounds of high-intensity action in the main event. Cruz and Roach battled to a majority draw with official scores of 115–111 for Cruz and 113–113 on the remaining two cards, allowing Cruz to retain his interim WBC title after a closely contested bout that had the San Antonio crowd on its feet.  Throughout the evening, Thomas J. Henry’s “Built to Win” campaign was prominently featured in the arena, showcasing the Legal firm’s with a card that showcased resilience, pressure, and championship-caliber performance from opening bell to final scorecard. “I am committed to bringing the best events to Sout...

  Jean Shafiroff     Philanthropist, author, and TV host Jean Shafiroff hosted a packed Art Basel Miami reception at Hotel Croydon in South Beach, presented in partnership with the South Beach Group Hotel’s owner Alan Lieberman. The event spotlighted a curated selection of works by celebrated Miami-born artist Purvis Young, exhibited by New York City gallery One Art Space as an exclusive preview of its forthcoming February 2026 exhibition at the gallery’s 23 Warren Street location in Tribeca. Guests gathered at the boutique property to mark the opening weekend of Art Basel Miami while experiencing early selections from One Art Space’s upcoming February 2026 Purvis Young showcase, which explores the artist’s storied legacy within contemporary American art. The reception served as a cultural bridge between Miami’s dynamic creative community and New York’s downtown arts scene. Hotel Croydon, known for its intimate charm, rooftop views, and role as a South Beach creative hub,...