Times Square Gossip

Ben Rodriguez-Cubenas With Jackie Weld Drake And Hunt Slonem   Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education brought its annual Fiesta! Gala back to The Plaza Hotel with Chairs Jackie Weld Drake, Jean Shafiroff, and HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, where longtime friends, artists, philanthropists, and supporters gathered to celebrate the organization’s 92nd anniversary.  The sold-out benefit raised the most to-date, and honored artist Hunt Slonem, philanthropist Sonia Gutt deHaime, and Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, who received the Jackie Weld Drake Living Legend Award.   Hunt Slonem, recognized for his exuberant paintings of bunnies and butterflies was celebrated not only for his extraordinary career (with work displayed at The Met, Guggenheim, Whitney, and more), but for the spirit of creativity he shares with Casita Maria's mission. “For the last 35 years I have attended and supported this Gala and Casita Maria,” said he, “as a child, I wanted to be an artist due to the ...

  Hunt Slonem  Hunt Slonem has spent a career filling canvases with bunnies, butterflies, tropical birds and exuberant color. This October, the internationally celebrated artist will step away from the studio and into The Plaza ballroom as one of the honorees of Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education’s Fiesta 2026. The honor creates an intersection between an artist whose work celebrates imagination and a New York institution that has spent more than nine decades encouraging young people to discover their own creativity. Founded in East Harlem in 1934 and now based in the South Bronx, Casita Maria works to enrich youth, families and communities through arts, culture and education. Its free educational programming combines arts instruction, academic assistance and youth development, reaching young people from kindergarten through middle school.   Hunt Slonem will be honored alongside art dealer and longtime cultural figure Sonia Gutt de Haime, while the Jackie W...

  Dr. Philippe Similon With Dr. Dorothea von Mücke, Julia von Türk and Stephanie Heintzeler pc Jasmina Tomic Jean Shafiroff The Quadrille Ball, one of New York City’s most elegant and enduring philanthropic traditions, took place at the historic Plaza Hotel. The Ball is a white-tie gala that celebrates German American friendship and Transatlantic cultural and academic exchange.  This timeless event features young men and women who perform the traditional Quadrille, a historic ballroom dance symbolizing unity and harmony. Each year, this cherished tradition is accompanied by live orchestral music, fine dining, dancing, and an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause.  Proceeds from the Quadrille Ball benefit the German American Scholarship Association’s Scholarship Fund. The Fund provides grants to exceptional students pursuing studies or research in the United States or Germany, fostering academic excellence and mutual understanding between the two nations. The Bal...

  The Quadrille Ball The Quadrille Ball, one of New York City’s most elegant and enduring philanthropic traditions, is set to take place on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, at the historic Plaza Hotel. As the countdown to the 64th annual event begins, organizers invite attendees to join a sophisticated and elegant evening of culture, charity, and connection in support of the German-American Scholarship Association’s Scholarship Fund.  The Quadrille Ball is a white-tie gala that celebrates German American friendship and Transatlantic cultural and academic exchange. This timeless event features young men and women who perform the traditional Quadrille, a historic ballroom dance symbolizing unity and harmony. Each year, this cherished tradition is accompanied by live orchestral music, fine dining, dancing, and an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause.  Proceeds from the Quadrille Ball benefit the German American Scholarship Association’s Scholarship Fund. The Fund pro...

  Quadrille Ball A formal reception to launch the 64th Annual Quadrille Ball was held at the German Consulate in New York City. The 64th installment of this storied, white-tie charity event will take place Saturday, February 8th, 2025, at the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City.  The exquisite gala, which is one of the highlights of the New York social season and one of the very few White-Tie events is a supremely elegant night where guests will experience a cocktail reception and a three-course dinner followed by dancing and the premier highlight of the Quadrille performance by the participants who have spent months in training beforehand.  The annual ball is a fundraiser for scholarships awarded to highly qualified students enrolled at U.S. or German universities. The Quadrille was founded decades ago to enhance and strengthen transatlantic relationships through education and exchange. Through its non-profit parent organization, the German-American Scholarship Associat...

  Luisa Diaz Foundation The Luisa Diaz Foundation will celebrate a milestone 10th anniversary black tie MAG gala on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 at The Plaza Hotel. The annual event this year will honor a decade of changing lives in communities across America with 2024 focusing on two organizations - Safe Passage Heals and Sanctuary for Families. It will be a grand “Celebration of Kindness” attended by important international changemakers from across the globe. It all is part of the organization’s motto that “kindness is cool.” Last year Mayor Adams proclaimed May 18th (the date of the gala) as “Kindness is Cool Day” in NYC forevermore. Events celebrating that day are also being planned.  An all-star lineup of presenters and performers will dedicate the night to honorees and the organizations that are collectively shinning a light on the dangers of human trafficking and sharing support for the fight to help domestic violence survivors. The subjects are often not focused on, and t...

  A ROBIN LATHROP EVENT     ByRobin founder, Robin Lathrop, has spent decades cultivating a vision to create perfect experiences. Through the eyes of compassionate storytelling and deeply profound critical thinking and organization, she feels the producer is much more than an event planner.  Lathrop, the visionary powerhouse who runs her own company, purposely focuses on crafting the client experience to produce a compelling event that elevates a dream and turns it into a reality. She focuses on making the impossible possible.  Getting her start at the Plaza Hotel in the world of floral design, Lathrop worked on large scale installations and found her true passion. ByRobin has designed countless show-stopping creations over the history of the company, with the ability to design, fabricate and manage in-house, whether it be an intimate gathering or an experience with thousands of attendees.   Additionally, Lathrop is unique in her approach to content creatio...

  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...

  Virginia Bocelli & Andrea Bocelli The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) 25th Annual New York Dinner took place at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The end-of-the-year benefit supported PCF’s programs and celebrate the millions raised and achievements made in the past quarter-century through PCF. The charitable organization founded by Mike Milken is dedicated to identifying and funding groundbreaking cancer research programs. The memorable evening welcomed leaders in medicine, top research scientists, business leaders and distinguished New York City socialites. The event raised over $6 Million. The gala began with a lively cocktail reception. During a lavish dinner party, Mike Milken along with celebrity host Whoopi Goldberg gave a special presentation on PCF’s recent accomplishments. There was also a live auction for various unique experiences as well as investment in Young Investigators who are changing the face of medicine with proceeds going towards PCF. The night gave way...

Jean Shafiroff And Paul McCartney Philanthropist and society sweetheart, Jean Shafiroff was spotted chatting to Paul McCartney of the Beatles at the Jewish Board Gala recently. Jean Shafiroff And Martin Shafiroff Paul McCartney’s lovely wife Nancy McCartney was honored along with David Moore and Jean Troubh at the event which raised over $3.3 million . Approximately 500 people attended the glamorous event at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. David River (Exe. Director) With Jean Shafiroff And David Moore Jean Shafiroff is a long time board member of the Jewish Board. In 2013 she was honored by the charity at a similar event to this year’s gala. The Jewish Board is the premiere mental health charity in New York. Each year it serves over 50,000 New Yorker's from all backgrounds. Photos By Owen Hoffman / Patrick McMullan  

Jean Shafiroff Celebrity philanthropist and style icon Jean Shafiroff looked absolutely striking at the El Museo del Barrio 50th Anniversary Gala at the Plaza Hotel recently. Her yellow couture gown was designed by Victor dE Souza, the Argentinian fashion designer who accompanied Ms. Shafiroff to the Gala. The El Museo del Barrio Gala raised over $1,000,000. Mayor Bill de Blasio made a special visit to the Gala to welcome guests and to congratulate all those involved on the Museum's 50th Anniversary.  Jean Shafiroff And Victor De Souza Tony Bechara El Museo del Barrio is New York’s leading Latino cultural art institution. It welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to discover the artistic landscape of Latino, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures. This richness is represented in El Museo’s wide-ranging collections and exhibitions, complemented by film, literary, visual and performing arts series, cultural celebrations, and educational programs. For...

Larry Milstein With Lizzie Da Trindade-Asher And Brian Drost Leading Young Friends of Save Venice into a new era of charitable giving, philanthropist and activist Lizzie da Trindade-Asher dazzled at the annual Un Ballo in Maschera - Artista e Musa at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. Supporting one of the top charities in New York City, Lizzie Asher helped to relaunch the Young Friends of Save Venice Initiative, determined to unite a younger generation of philanthropists and reawaken the institution of charitable giving. After a successful revival this year, Lizzie da Trindade-Asher and the Young Friends of Save Venice held their most exciting event of the year—a pre-ball cocktail and salon in collaboration with Giuseppe Zanotti at The Plaza Hotel's Grand Penthouse. Guiseppe outfitted Young Friends members and notable guests with footwear with proceeds going towards the non-profit. Nicky Hilton Rothschild Notable attendees included: Lizzie da Trindade-Asher, Pet...

  **** THE BLACK AND ORANGE BALL   Photos By: Patrick McMullan & Annie Watt ****   Jean Shafiroff French Heritage Society (FHS) held its Annual New York Gala Dinner Dance at The Plaza Hotel. This year, the exquisite, much anticipated affair was festively themed The Black and Orange Ball, and black-tie clad guests wore elegant masks, disguises, and colorful accents. The Gala Chairmen were CeCe Black, Silvina Leone, Liz McDermott, Jay R. Paul, Jean Shafiroff, and Ann Van Ness. The New York Chapter Chairs are Guy N. Robinson and Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, who also served as the Design Consultant. The Board of Directors includes Elizabeth F. Stribling, Chairman of the Board, Denis de Kergorlay, President, David M. Gray, Treasurer, and Jennifer Herlein, Executive Director. Jean Shafiroff With Rodolfo Vera Calderón, Ariadna Vera Bustindui & Martin Shafiroff The evening honored French luxury lifestyle brand LALIQUE ...

Jean Shafiroff Jean Shafiroff Striking in a Spectacular Blue Ballgown at the El Museo del Barrio Gala in New York City. Once again the celebrity philanthropist Jean Shafiroff stunned the crowd at the El Museo del Barrio Gala. For this year's El Museo Gala held at the Plaza Hotel recently.  Ms. Shafiroff wore a couture gown by the designer Victor dE Souza. Her blue and green gown was hand embroidered and resembled a flower about to bloom. Jean Shafiroff attended the Gala with the designer Victor dE Souza. Jean Shafiroff With Victor De Souza Founded in 1969, El Museo del Barrio specializes in Latin American and Caribbean art, with an emphasis on works from Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican community in New York City. El Museo del Barrio, often known simply as El Museo (the museum) is a museum located towards the northern end in the neighborhood of Museum Mile, immediately north of the Museum of the City of New York and south of the future Museum fo...