This past Monday, I attended my first Gala with Making Books Sing as we held our 2nd Annual Gala on February 6, 2012 at the swanky Manhattan Penthouse.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I arrived on the 17th floor, but the view was incredible:
All of MBS’ staff chipped in to help set up an event that was a year in the making, including our fabulous Artistic Director, Barbara Zinn Krieger:
As the sun began to set and the empty rooms began to fill with a variety of flowers, the cool Rusty Key exhibit (www.therustykey.com), cocktails, waiters, and ladies and gentlemen dressed in their Monday’s finest, I began to get excited. (Are the flowers not to die for?):
The festivities were kicked off by our Board Chair, Brandon Gruner, as he welcomed everyone to the Gala.
MBS Education Director Brooke Boertzel and Staten Island Deputy Borough President Ed Burke presented an arts-in-education video, which featured Alice’s Story: MBS interactive anti-bullying workshop and performance, that has served over 160 classrooms in only a year and a half (Wow).
Honorary Gala Co-Chair and CBS Evening News anchor Jeff Glor (a handsome, eloquent fellow who certainly belongs in front of a camera) presented Making Books Sing Harmony Award to James I. Gabbe. Mr. Gabbe (a funny, warm guy) has been an integral part of MBS, serving on our Advisory Board and donating a great deal of time and effort to the organization’s arts-in-education programs.
My favorite part of the evening was our LOUIE Sneak Preview, with the talented Nilaja Sun performing the role of Louis Armstrong in her new, one-man show, which MBS will present in the fall of 2012.
Then Michael Mossman and Edward Smaldone, our Queen’s College partners in this new project, performed Struttin’ With Some Barbeque.
Take a look (Yes, ‘tis my I-phone camera, ‘tis my thumb for the first 25 seconds).
The Family of Artists Award was presented to Javier Sanchez by the 2011 Harmony Award recipient Mary Buckley Teatum.
And finally, the lovely Alyssa May Gold and Alexa Holzberger performed an excerpt from The Butterfly.
Take a look (I stole Jeff Glor’s seat and got a better angle for this one).
The evening ended with closing remarks from Executive Director Andrew Frank and our raffle drawing (Sadly, I won nothing).
We all moved into the reception room and had desert (We had about 5 different selections, I tried at least three of them. All delicious).
All in all, it was a classy evening, with lots of great people who care about theater, children, and arts-in-education. So what did you think of the evening? We’re always looking to improve, so if you have any recommendations or if you really loved something, let us know! Email development@makingbookssing.org with any comments!
Photos courtesy of Ben Gabbe/Billy Farrell Agency
