Top June Events NYC

June can be a fun time to visit New York City! The city comes alive with various events, festivals, and outdoor activities during this month. Here are a few reasons why June can be an enjoyable time to be in NYC:

1. Pride Month Celebrations: June is known as Pride Month, and New York City hosts a variety of events to celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and promote equality. The Pride March, PrideFest, and various parties and performances are organized throughout the city.

2. Governors Ball Music Festival: This annual music festival takes place on Randall's Island and features a diverse lineup of popular musicians across different genres. Attendees can enjoy live music performances, food vendors, and art installations.

3. Museum Mile Festival: On a Tuesday evening in June, several museums along Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th Street participate in the Museum Mile Festival. Visitors can enjoy free admission to renowned museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Museum of the City of New York.

4. Shakespeare in the Park: The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park series presents free performances of Shakespearean plays at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. The season typically starts in late May and runs through June.

5. Jazz Age Lawn Party: This Roaring Twenties-themed event takes place on Governor's Island and features live jazz music, dancing, vintage fashion, and a general celebration of the Jazz Age.

Frederick Anderson's 2024 Resort Collection Runway

Singer Natasha Bedingfield, Club Owner Richie Romero, Fashion Designer Frederick Anderson and Mayor Eric Adams at Nebula in NYC for Frederick Anderson's 2024 Resort Collection runway show.

Frederick Anderson presented his 2024 Resort collection at Nebula in Midtown Manhattan this week with a performance by Natasha Bedingfield.  Frederick  debuted a daring and bold collection, and keeping up with the knit dress trend, Natasha rocked a gorgeous black crochet dress from Anderson, revealing a black thong and bra. The 33-look collection was seen by a tonied group of uptown clients and downtown personalities including Mayor Eric Adams, Nebula owner Richie Romero, Nicole Miller, Peter Som, Young Paris, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin and Janna Bullock among the crowd.

Photo Credit Dave Warren

9th Annual MAG Gala

The Mi Amor Graciousness (MAG) Gala, which benefits survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The Luisa Diaz Foundation, which was created in 2020, had its annual event, which returned to New York for its ninth year at the historic Plaza Hotel with an evening of compassion-meets-fashion and the "Runway of Hope." The proceeds from the 2023 event supported three charities: Safe Passage Heals, Hope's Door, and Team TLC NYC, and promoted awareness of the importance of the Luisa Diaz Foundation's mission.

Creations by Tony Motta

Survivors of domestic violence who have finished the program to stop the cruel cycle of domestic abuse participated in the MAG Gala's empowerment fashion show, dressed by designers Jovani, Anne Fontaine, and Chiara Boni. The stroll down the runway represents the transformation from a place of darkness to one of hope and brightness.

This year's commemoration also included an official proclamation from New York City establishing May 18 as "Kindness is Cool Day" from that day forward.

Notable attendees included: Luisa Diaz, Ernie Anastos, Johnny Drinks, Seth Herzog, Jean Shafiroff, Deborah Hung, Nikki Haskell, Alan Brown, Noreen Donovan, Jose, Carmen, Tina Radziwill, Carmen D'Alessio, Maria Elena Christensen, Valerie Vazquez, James Brynes, Noreen Donovan, Bryan Griffin, Sofie Mahlkvist, Nadja Saye

The evening's host was Ernie Anastos, a Hall of Fame broadcaster, WABC radio presenter, and "Positively America" host. Influencer Johnny Drinks was live streaming and dished out the "Kindness is Cool" martini. Seth Herzog, resident comic and sketch performer on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, presided over a live auction. The evening's entertainment will include an amazing performance by Sarina the Violin Diva and DJ Show N Tell.

Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan / Mark Sagliocco

2023 Whitney Gala & Studio Party

Attendees mingle at the Gala

On Tuesday, May 16th, the Whitney Museum of American Art honored groundbreaking artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, philanthropist and Vice Chair of the Whitney Board Nancy Poses, and Whitney Trustee for over two decades, Thomas E. Tuft, at the 2023 Whitney Gala and Studio Party. 

Actress Rowan Blanchard and a friend ordering drinks at the bar

The Studio Party, which acted as an after-party to the more formal Gala dinner, brought youthful energy and excitement to the evening, with a who's who of both the fashion and art world in attendance. Attendees mingled by the bars on the first floor and the paint-can themed DJ booth, relaxing on deep-seated chaises and placing their Maestro Dobel® Tequila cocktails on acrylic tables that easily could have been works of art themselves. In addition to complimenting each other's outfits and dancing to expertly mixed hits, young patrons had the opportunity to visit the new exhibitions on the upper floors.

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: Memory Map

One of the exhibitions on display was the museum's landmark exhibition of "Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: Memory Map". Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation, has had an exceptional and unorthodox career as an internationally revered artist, activist, curator, educator, and advocate. Through her drawings, prints, paintings, and sculptures, Smith tells stories that challenge commonly held conceptions of historical narratives and shed light on absurdities in the formation of dominant culture. The exhibition, which will be on view until August 13, celebrates fifty years of Smith's work and is the largest and most comprehensive showcase of her career to date, featuring over 130 works. It offers a new framework to consider contemporary Native American art.

Josh Kline: Project for a New American Century

Josh Kline: Project for a New American Century

Another exhibition available for viewing was "Josh Kline: Project for a New American Century". Kline's work utilizes a wide variety of media, from image and video manipulation to sculptural 3D printing, to comment on the current state of American culture through a blunt and critical lens. Some of his most well-known videos use early deep fake software to speculate on the meaning of truth in an era of post-truth propaganda. Kline's practice focuses on work and class, exploring how today's most urgent social and political issues—climate change, automation, disease, and the weakening of democracy—impact the labor force. The exhibition surveys over a decade of the artist's work, including new installations and moving image works that address the climate crisis. These new science-fiction works, presented for the first time at the Whitney, offer a perspective on the hotter, more dangerous future on the horizon from the standpoint of essential workers who will inevitably be left to pick up the pieces. In an era defined by escalating crises, Kline's work provides a visceral warning and calls for a more humane future.

The unforgettable evening brought together young celebrity names like Rowan Blanchard with art legends like Adam Weinberg and Cecilia Alemani, bridging generational gaps to introduce a new wave of art enthusiasts to the captivating world of contemporary art at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

ON SALVO/DE SALVO: A New Monograph for a Multifaceted Artist

On Thursday, May 18th, the Center for Italian Modern Art or CIMA presented IO SONO SALVO: Works and Writings 1961-2015 (NERO Editions, 2023), a new monograph dedicated to the artist Salvo (1947-2015). Serving as a self-portrait, this captivating tome is the story of the artist's practice through his artworks and words. The comprehensive selection of his works, arranged chronologically, is accompanied by a collection of writings, including his treatise On Painting, unpublished texts, and various interviews conducted over the years.

Hailing from Leonforte, Sicily, Salvo relocated to Turin in 1956, where he embarked on a conceptual exploration influenced by Arte Povera and artists such as Sol LeWitt, Robert Barry, and Joseph Kosuth, with whom he had direct encounters. In 1973, Salvo experienced a "return to painting," a medium he had initially practiced during his early years of training, which at the time was considered unconventional. Rather than viewing painting in opposition to the language of conceptual art, Salvo seamlessly merged the two throughout his fifty-year career, engaging in a personal research endeavor that maintained a constant dialogue with the past.

The evening's event offered light refreshments and wine and featured an engaging conversation between Bob Nickas, the author of one of the critical essays published in the monograph, and CIMA Fellow Giorgio Di Domenico. With the additional participation of CIMA Executive Director Nicola Lucchi, they delved into a visual journey of Salvo's iconic and diverse works, exploring his artistic motivations, techniques, personality, and the profound impact they had on his art. By contrasting Salvo's pieces with other contemporary works and even with each other, both speakers provided a more grounded perspective on the larger-than-life character of the artist.

The monograph is available for purchase at CIMA, and upcoming events held at the space can be seen here: https://www.italianmodernart.org/upcoming-events/

Opening Night @giselle, the Technology-Infused Ballet

@giselle, a technology-driven, contemporary reinvention of the beloved romantic ballet classic, premiered Thursday, May 18, at The Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College. 

This production, presented by Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY, puts a modern spin on the original classical ballet, Reimagining Giselle, a shorter work commissioned by The Royal Ballet in London, presenting this story of love and relationships in the context of a world dominated by dating apps, digital illusions, and fleeting encounters.

@giselle tells the story of a young woman named Giselle who is betrayed, isolated, and ghosted by her romantic partner on social media. In a state of extreme anxiety, Giselle livestreams her death and later returns to haunt her male tormentors in the form of breathtaking motion-captured holograms projected onto the bodies of live dancers, creating a haunting tension between live and digital realities.

Brianna Amore is the mastermind behind the stunning animation and projection design that enthralls the audience throughout the production, leaving many unsure if a dancer or a life-like hologram are on the stage. 

To learn more about @giselle, visit https://www.joshuabeamish.com/. 

@giselle: Modernizing a Classic Ballet

Giselle is one of the oldest and most iconic ballets - if you are remotely involved in dance you know it well, and even if you think that you’ve never heard of it, the music generates familiar sparks in the back of your memory.  Adapting such a beloved ballet for the modern era poses a challenging task. Joshua Beamish took on this challenge with his new interpretation, @giselle, which brings the story of Giselle to the present day.

Originating from "Reimagining Giselle," a shorter work commissioned by The Royal Ballet in London, this full-length narrative production will be brought to life by some of the brightest stars in the ballet world. Betsy McBride, soloist with American Ballet Theatre, will perform the title role of Giselle, alongside Harrison James, principal dancer with The National Ballet of Canada, as Albrecht, and Sterling Baca, principal dancer with Philadelphia Ballet, as Hilarion. Fangqi Li from ABT will portray Bathilde, and Beverley Bagg, formerly with Ballet Frankfurt and PACT Ballet Johannesburg, will portray Berthe. The all-star ensemble will be supported by additional talented dancers from Canada and the US.

This innovative production explores connections between the original classical ballet and our understandings of love, sex, and relationships in a world mediated by dating apps, digital illusions, and fleeting encounters. Beamish takes the story's context on a contemporary and relatable journey, including transforming Albrecht's monarchical power into one of "Influencer" currency and social media clout.

The modern vision of this classic tale isn't limited to the plot - The show and choreography also incorporate groundbreaking visuals. @giselle features stunning animation and projection design by trans artist and activist Brianna Amore, along with motion capture technology. In a reinterpretation of a famous pas de deux in which Giselle's ghost haunts her male tormentors, motion-captured holograms projected onto live dancers create a haunting tension between live and digital realities.

This unique and innovative show is a must-see for ballet lovers and anyone seeking a modern and approachable dance performance with a strong and important message.

@giselle will run on May 18th & 19th at at 7:30pm at The Gerald W. Lynch Theater, co-presented by The CUNY Dance Initiative and The Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College (524 West 59th Street, NYC).  The opening night performance & celebration reception will be on May 18th, with tax-deductible charitable tickets available: https://tickets.broadwaycares.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ticket.start&eventID=718.

Tickets for the show range between $55/$45/$35 (plus applicable fees) and $15 student tickets with promocode: GISELLESTUDENT

To purchase visit: www.joshuabeamish.com

Opera Lafayette Gala

Sierra Prasada

On Tuesday, May 9, at El Museo de Barrio, Opera Lafayette kicked off their 2nd Annual NYC Baroque Music Festival with their New York Gala, headed by Barbara Tober. Opéra-ballet performances included Rameau's Io and Pierre de La Garde's Léandre et Héro. The historic world premiere of Jean-Phillippe Rameau's Io, with costumes designed by theatrical genius Machine Dazzle (in attendance), was part of the double bill.

The festivities proceeded across the street at the Museum of the City of New York, where Lincoln Center CEO and President Henry Timms was recognized. H.R.H. Princess Chantal de France and The Baron François-Xavier de Sambucy de Sorgue, as well as Afsaneh Akhtari, Suzi Cordish, Layla Diba, Cornelius Escaravage, Christopher "Kip" Forbes, Michele Gerber Klein, Susan Gutfreund, Maria Eugenia Maury and Bill Haseltine, Joan Hardy Clark, Margaret and Gregory Hedberg, Sylvia

Opera Lafayette is the foremost American interpreter and performer of obscure operatic treasures from the 17th through the 19th centuries. An Opera Lafayette performance transports its audience to an age when beauty and fascinating narrative were the rule of the day, incorporating dance, magnificent costumes, and intimate staging with rising star vocalists and musicians performing period instruments. For additional information, go to https://operalafayette.org/

Photos by Patrick McMullan and Sierra Prasada

New York Junior League’s Savor the Spring

Savor the Spring Leadership Team

The New York Junior League (NYJL) is a non-profit group that was started in 1901 by Mary Harriman Rumsey. The NYJL is one of the oldest and biggest volunteer groups for women in the New York City area. It is made up of over 2,800 women who want to make a good difference in their communities through volunteer work and leadership.

The organization's goal is to encourage people to serve, help women reach their full potential, and improve communities through the effective actions and guidance of trained volunteers. The NYJL does this by giving its members a variety of work opportunities and leadership training programs. In turn, its members give back to the community by volunteering at local schools, hospitals, shelters, and other community groups.

The New York Junior League recently hosted Savor the Spring: The Secret Garden. Attendees enjoyed sommelier-led wine tastings, expertly selected hors d'oeuvres, a live band, and silent and live auctions, including luxury products and personalized excursions. VIPs received early entrance and a special champagne hour with oyster service, as well as surprises throughout the night and unique cocktail sampling - concealed in our VIP only speakeasy - as well as an awesome gift bag!

Auctioneer Sara Reidy Brzozowski

Savor the Spring Committee

Megan Zuckerman

The sold-out event drew over 300 people, including a record-breaking 100 VIP guests, and generated $118k in gross income, which was more than twice the previous year.

Please visit the NYJL website for additional information or to join.

NYC Second Chance 3rd Annual Rescue Ball

Who let the dogs out? 

On Thursday, April 27, NYC Second Chance Rescue, a nonprofit organization that rescues and rehabilitates critically injured and neglected animals, hosted its 3rd Annual Rescue Ball,  their largest fundraising event of the year. 

Hosted by Tony and Grammy Award-Nominated actress and singer Orfeh, the Ball honored animal advocates Joe Gatto and Georgina Bloomberg with the“Hero Award” for their dedication to bettering the animal community. Additionally, Dr. Peter Roufail received the honor for “Veterinarian of the Year.”

Attendees were greeted by tutu-wearing pups upon entering the Grand Ballroom at The Pierre. Stars such as Gatto, Real Housewives of New Jersey personality Melissa Gorga, and Tony-nominated Constantine Maroulis posed on the carpet alongside these precious puppies. 

Sarina the Violin Diva serenaded the crowd during the silent auction with her energetic skills as she shredded on her multicolor LED guitar. 

“Anything for the pups,” says honoree Joe Gatto, an American improvisational comedian, actor, and producer. Gatto is one of the founders of “Gatto Pups and Friends”, a nonprofit rescue and sanctuary for senior, disabled, and unwanted animals in need of a loving home.

A Personal Note: Joe, it was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for your contributions to the animal community, and congratulations!

Georgina Bloomberg is one of the founders of “The Emma and Georgina Bloomberg AMC to the Rescue Fund”, established to provide subsidized specialty care to animals currently cared for by rescue groups and whose health has become an obstacle to their adoption.

Click here to learn more about NYC Second Chance Rescue. 

The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience

Dearest reader, alert the ton! The time has come for you to meet the Queen and place your bets for the upcoming social season. The doors to The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience here in New York City open this Thursday, April 27, as the Queen kickstarts her search for her diamond. 

The gilded glamor started early, as yours truly was given an exclusive look into the festivities this Wednesday night. 

Beautifully decorated with hanging orchids and luscious lilies, the ballroom glistened as many made their social debuts on the dance floor. 

Struggling with your royal dance moves? No worries, dear reader, as professional dancers teach routines throughout the night plucked directly from the hit Netflix show. 

Before the performances begin, make sure to get a Bridgerton-inspired cocktail, professional royal portrait, and, most importantly, practice your bow to present yourself in the best light to the Queen. 

Before the diamond is announced, attendees will watch a Bridgerton-esque love story unfold in front of them, full of passion translated through graceful dances. 

Before you depart the ball, make sure to stop in the merchandise section to take a piece of the royal festivities with you, such as a sweatshirt, tea leaves of her Royal Highness, or a breathtaking tiara. 

Could you be the diamond of the season? Purchase your ticket to attend The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience here.  

Inside the National Dance Institute’s 47th Annual Gala

The National Dance Institute, a non-profit organization that has transformed the lives of millions of children, held its 47th Annual Gala Monday, April 17 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City to honor Academy Award-Winning actress, dancer, and singer Ariana DeBose as well as philanthropists Carmen and Ray Debbane.

Founded by the legendary New York City Ballet principal dancer Jacques d’Amboise, the Gala is the Institute’s largest fundraising event of the year, with all proceeds benefiting NDI’s award-winning arts education programs for New York City’s public school youth. This year, the gala raised $1.7 million in support of its award-winning arts education programs that reach over 6,000 children every week. 

The evening began at 6 p.m. in the ballroom alongside the silent auction in which attendees got to bid on many raffles such as tickets to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Broadway’s MJ the Musical. 

Philanthropists Carmen and Ray Debbane honored at National Dance Institute’s 47th Annual Gala on April 17, 2023

Photo Credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for National Dance Institute

Inside the ballroom attendees were offered delicious cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres as they listened to the shutters of cameras as event-goers took their places on the red carpet before the gala commenced with performances by the children of NDI. 

Academy Award-Winning actress, dancer, and singer Ariana DeBose, Honoree at National Dance Institute’s 47th Annual Gala on April 17, 2023

Photo Credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for National Dance Institute

DeBose opted for a spring-inspired orange suit to accept her award for NDI’s Artistic Honoree, celebrating the “West Side Story” star’s devotion to authenticity and passion in the entertainment world. DeBose was seen throughout the evening giving advice and smiles to attendees and child performers apart of the NDI. 

I think we can all agree that she most certainly did the thing! 

To learn more about the NDI and their mission, you can visit their website at https://nationaldance.org/. 

Immerse Yourself in Supernatural Scotland with The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart

Photographer credit to Lena Nicholson for the McKittrick Hotel

Scotland comes to New York City at the McKittrick Hotel’s Club Car in The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, an immersive theater experience like no other. The Club Car, usually an ordinary restaurant and bar, was transformed into a Scottish pub to capture the energy and aesthetics of the musical show. Guests were treated to a free shot of scotch upon entry, as well as the option to purchase drinks at the bar, while the actors who would soon begin the show surreptitiously moseyed about, making small talk with the attendees.

Written by playwright  David Greig, The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart follows the journey of Prudencia Hart, an academic scholar of traditional Scottish folklore. It’s even structured like a Scottish ballad and presented in five cantos with musical interludes to reflect Prudencia’s studies. The play bounces between references from Kylie Minogue to the 1863 ballad “Blackwaterside,”, deftly toeing the lines between high-brow and accessible forms of song. 

Photographer credit to Lena Nicholson for the McKittrick Hotel

The storytelling was both intimate and engrossing, as the actors used the audience’s tables, chairs, and even bodies to depict the captivating play. Its unique blend of music, interactive theater, and Scottish folklore, is playful but not without emotional potency——few eyes were left dry by the end of the show, either from laughter, tears, or a combination of the two! 

With its lively music, engaging performers, and interactive format, "The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart" is a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that shouldn't be missed. Whether you're a fan of traditional Scottish folklore, innovative theater, or just a great night out, this show has something for everyone!

So get your friends or a date together and step into the enchanting and supernatural world of "The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart" - running now through April 30th, at the McKittrick Hotel.

Cobble Fish's Seasonal Reopening

Cobble Fish, located on Pier 16 in the South Street Seaport, is a new seasonally open dining and drinking destination that serves up fantastic seafood, summer cocktails, and terrific vibes. In a world of sophisticated cocktails and the desire to broadcast everything on Instagram, Cobble Fish takes a different approach, focusing on the foundations of why people gather to dine and drink together. The al fresco restaurant and bar aim to create a local vibe while also incorporating everything we liked about NYC in the 1990s. It's a great place to catch up with friends over a tasty lobster club, refreshing beverages, and sea views. Weather permitting, Cobble Fish is open every day from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cobble Fish welcomes both families and pets (as long as your four-legged buddy is on a leash).

The special preview party featured an array of refreshing drinks and delicious bites, along with music from DJ Chris Willard that kept the atmosphere lively and upbeat right on the water.

Highlights of the drink menu include the Impossible Girl with Grey Goose Watermelon, Cintronage, fresh lime, and cranberry. Guests also indulged in Dark n’ Stormy cocktails and  Skinny Margaritas, with the perfect amount of tequila and a citrusy kick.  Delicious bites included Battered Fries with garlic aioli, Fish Tacos with Mahi, jicama slaw, and cilantro lime aioli, and the new menu item, Beef Sliders with Gruyere and Caramelized Onions.

Images courtesy of Daniel Kwak

The Springs, Brooklyn’s Hot Summer Spot

New Yorkers, are you ready for summer? Head over to The Springs, located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, to kick off the summer-season with refreshing cocktails to enjoy on their beach-inspired outdoor patio. The Palm Springs inspired outdoor-indoor chic bar and lounge hosted an exclusive preview celebration catered by Eat With Nana NYC on Tuesday, April 11, to usher in the seasonal reopening of their lush-green patio. 

Decorated with comfortable lounge chairs and couches, the patio will transport you to a hot summer day in Palm Springs. The patio is the perfect place to unwind after a long day, surrounded by stunning greenery and twinkling string lights. 

This year, the Brooklyn bar is introducing outdoor movie nights every Thursday beginning in May, with the backyard transforming into a cozy movie theater under the stars. 

Additionally, bring your friends and come down to The Springs to test your knowledge at Wednesday trivia night where you can compete for free for prizes and bragging rights!

With summer-inspired cocktails, such as the Lawn Flamingo and Frozen Aperol Spritz, you are guaranteed a good time! Come on down to The Springs to step into your Palm Springs mentality! 

Follow The Springs at https://www.instagram.com/thespringsbk/?hl=en to stay in the loop. 

YAGP Stars of Today Meets the Stars of Tomorrow Gala

LK Studio and Jennifer Curry Wingrove

Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the biggest student ballet scholarship competition in the world, made its first trip back to Lincoln Center in New York City since before the Covid pandemic last night to present its 2023 Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala. Supporters were welcomed back by YAGP Founder Larissa Saveliev and Board Chair Richard Osterweil as well as hosts Paul Arnhold, Elissa Brenner, Lili Buffett, Grace Fuller Marroquin, Wes Gordon, Alyson Gradone, Rebecca Hessel Cohen, Sarah Hoover, Lilli Hymowitz, Marcella Hymowitz, Eve Jobs, Lindsay Kraus, Candice Miller, Colby Mugrabi, Grace Pomeranc, Indre Rockefeller, Daniela Tisch, Virginia W. Tomenson, Lesley Vecsler, and Lina Wallach.

BFA Ben Rosser

"Dance can sometimes literally save lives," said Marcella Hymowitz, YAGP Board Member and Gala Host. Youth America Grand Prix has been working relentlessly since February 2021 to help Ukrainian students who have been displaced by the war find new dance homes. Nikita Malaki, a 16-year-old, had a performance tonight at Lincoln Center. Nikita is one of 200 Ukrainian dancers who were given scholarships by YAGP to study at prestigious dance schools in Europe and the US, allowing them to continue living and performing in safety. YAGP expresses its sincere gratitude to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation for its kind assistance in enabling it to carry out this crucial work. Nikita, 16, is now receiving instruction at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia. He played a Gounod Duet with Jade Conner, a classmate.

BFA Ben Rosser

BFA Bre Johnson

Guests include YAGP Board Members John Beukelman, Barbara Brandt, Sergey Gordeev, Gabriel Hoffman, Carrie and Jonathan Kaufman, Kamie Lightburn, as well as Kara Acker, Maria Cristina Anzola, Sarah Arison, Mollie Acquavella, Ashley Bouder, J Alex Brinson, Linda and Martin Fell, Amy Fine Collins, Luiza and Steve Gold, Judith Hoffman, Breanna Khoury, Molly Knauer, Allie and Will Kopelman, Beejan Land,  Dylan Lauren, Allie Meixner, Andrew Martin-Weber, Michaela Moinian, Alberto Mugrabi, Wendi Murdoch, Taylor Olson, Samantha Pariente, Karine Plantadit, Jason Pomeranc, Scott Sartiano, Mariel Sholem, Gabe Stone Shayer, Allyson Tang, Barbara Tober, Tal Waksal, Yael and Oded Weiss, Hal Witt, and Christian Zimmermann.

The Gala launched off YAGP's 25th Anniversary season with a program that included the World Premiere of Reflective Response #1, choreographed by My'Kal Stromile and performed by Michaela Mabinty DePrince* of Boston Ballet. Paloma Dineli Chesky, a 15-year-old prodigy singer, and Grammy Award-nominated pianist David Chesky performed live alongside the piece.

LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove

LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove

LK Studio and Jennifer Wingrove

The Ninth Wave, a solo segment from the ballet choreographed by Bryan Arias, was performed by Jacopo Tissi (La Scala Ballet). Tissi also performed a pas de deux in Le Corsaire Act II with Christine Shevchenko* (American Ballet Theatre). Jun Masuda* (Tulsa Ballet) and Shale Wagman* (Bavarian State Ballet, New York debut) performed Hungarian Dances in its U.S. premiere, and Wagman joined Evelina Godunova (Berlin State Ballet, New York debut) for a pas de deux from Flames of Paris. Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia (New York City Ballet) performed a pas de deux from George Balanchine's Tarantella, Constantine Allen* (Dutch National Ballet) performed 5 Tangos choreographed by the legendary Hans van Manen, and Chloe Misseldine* (American Ballet Theatre) performed William Tell. Claudia Mota and Allen performed Angelin Prejlocaj's classic dance de deux from Le Parc.

Ohad Naharin and Sharon Eyal, Israeli choreographers, presented seldom seen works performed by the YAGP International Contemporary Dance Ensemble (ICE), a group of 35 dancers from 15 nations. Dancers from all around the globe auditioned for ICE and will go to Israel in December 2022 to work with the ballet masters. At the Gala, 18 dancers from the ensemble performed parts from OCD Love and Decadance.

YAGP's 2023 competition winners (stars of future) shared the stage alongside these ballet luminaries, performing contemporary and classical ballet favorites. These gifted young dancers (ages 9 to 19) performed for renowned ballet school directors and company leaders in the aim of receiving scholarships and professional prospects.

This season, nearly 15,000 exceptional young dancers auditioned for YAGP in 23 locations across the world. YAGP granted over $500,000 in scholarships to 300+ dancers at the Finals to attend over 40 of the world's greatest dance institutions! Aside from scholarships, over 30 YAGP contestants have already received professional contract offers, with more to come in the weeks following the tournament.

About Youth America Grand Prix

Youth America Grand Prix is the largest global network of dance. YAGP fulfills its mission of dance education through scholarship auditions, master classes, alumni services, performances, and education. For the past 24 years, over $4.5 million has been awarded in scholarships to the world’s leading dance schools, with up to $500,000 now awarded annually. Since YAGP’s founding in 1999, over 200,000 young dancers – ages 9 to 19 – of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds have participated in YAGP's international workshops, audition classes, and dance awareness events. Today, more than 12,000 young dancers audition annually. More than 450 Youth America Grand Prix alumni are now dancing with 80 professional companies around the world, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet (UK), Mariinsky Ballet and many others. Over 100 of these alumni are soloists and principal dancers. Larissa Saveliev founded Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) after training and touring with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, before moving to the United States in the early 90's.

A Night of Comedy at NYC’s Slate

Hosted by comedians Gideon Hambright and Patrick Hastie, JACKKNIFE COMEDY welcomed comedians Carmen Lagala, Randall Otis, Isabel Hagen, Rojo Perez, Kenice Mobley, Sam Morrison, Kate Willet, and Shane Torres to share their rib-tickling stand-up at New York City’s Slate, Chelsea's swankiest multi-level nightclub. 

Located in the heart of Chelsea, Slate houses multiple floors decorated with pool tables, bowling zones, ping-pong tables and a comfortable bar and lounge for guests to enjoy. Not a fan of stairs? No problem, just take a ride down the slide that passes through each level! Basically, Slate provides adults with an elegant excuse to bring out their inner child! 

The lineup for JACKKNIFE COMEDY’s 81st comedy special was nothing short of impressive, with these comedians having been featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show featuring Trevor Noah, and more!

Viewers enjoyed delicious bites and delectable drinks during the two-hour show, laughing the night away! 

Follow JACKKNIFE COMEDY at https://www.instagram.com/jackknifecomedy/?hl=en to learn more about their upcoming shows! 

Top April Events NYC

April is a wonderful time to visit New York City (NYC)! As spring arrives, the weather in NYC starts to warm up and the city comes alive with various events and activities. Here are some things you can expect during April in NYC:

1. Cherry Blossom Season: Cherry Blossom Festival: April is the time when cherry blossoms bloom in NYC, and the Cherry Blossom Festival is a popular event that celebrates this beautiful natural phenomenon. The festival typically includes cultural performances, food vendors, and traditional Japanese activities.

2. New York International Auto Show: If you're a car enthusiast, the New York International Auto Show is a must-visit event in April. It features the latest cars and trucks from various automakers, along with concept cars, interactive displays, and other automotive-related activities.

3. Earth Day: Nothing puts a positive perspective on depleting resources, rising sea levels, and the catastrophic pace of climate change like a day dedicated to worshiping our Earth. On April 16 (12-6pm), go to the Earth Day Initiative's annual event in Union Square to meet a variety of environmental non-profits and green companies, learn about climate initiatives, hear speeches, and participate in interactive activities. Plan to improve your eco-friendliness before you depart.

4. Outdoor Markets: As the weather gets warmer in April, many outdoor markets start popping up in NYC. These markets often feature local vendors selling art, crafts, food, and other unique items. Some popular outdoor markets in NYC include Smorgasburg, Brooklyn Flea, and Union Square Greenmarket.

5. Sports Events: April is a great time for sports enthusiasts in NYC, with various sports events taking place. This may include baseball games at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field, basketball games at Madison Square Garden, or other sports events and races happening throughout the city.

6. Macy’s Flower Show: At Macy's Herald Square, one of the top department shops in the city, sweet-smelling flora blooms out of nowhere each spring.

   Visitors from New York and beyond throng to this floral-filled show, where astounding arrangements that have been themed for two weeks are on display. The megachain's Herald Square store will host this year's iteration in a "dreamscape of fluffy clouds and whimsical floral landscapes" in collaboration with Dior. The Flower Show is open to the public and runs from Sunday, March 26, until Monday, April 10.

7. Enjoy some laughs at Crystal Lake (647 Grand St.) during It’s Amateur Hour presented by DJs Rachet Friedman & Fleisch on Thursday, April 13th from 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.. Comedians of all experience levels will take to the stage to participate in an evening of jokes and lighthearted fun. Crystal Lake's bar will be open for guests to purchase cocktails, and guest DJs Tony Mahtz & Corban will supply tunes all night long. Send suggested donations of $10 to @rachel-shatkin on Venmo and RSVP by visiting, https://partiful.com/e/KbsV1azlqMNz5ysC6jds 

8. Schimanski in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (54 N. 11th Street) is throwing a spectacular event where disco meets French house. The nightclub, owned by Eddie Dean, is devoted to Brooklyn's creative culture and acts as a hub for both domestic and international dance music. Living up to their mission, Schimanski continues to deliver live performances, private gatherings, and weekly DJ sets from a mix of international and up-and-coming acts. On Friday, April 14th Schimanski will host the French House and Disco party Daft Disko, featuring a mix of  music from Daft Punk and artists inspired by their music. Guests can sip on their favorite cocktails during all-nite drink specials and enjoy sounds from crowd favorites including Stardust, Breakbot, Flight Facilities, Giorgio Moroder, Modjo, Soulwax, Phoenix, and many more! Visit their https://schimanskinyc.com/ for more information and to grab tickets.

9. Enjoy an elegant wine tasting with special guest Eric Smith at Primal Fusion, located upstairs at Sapphire 39 (20 W 39th St.) on Monday, April 17th! The wine tasting menu will feature two high end wines to enjoy alongside an assortment of lite bites and dessert with help from Eric Smith, Wine and Spirits Consultant at Pernod-Ricard. The action, part of a new ongoing Tasting Series, will take place between 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more information, visit nysapphire.com

10. Party with Kid 'n Play at Sapphire 39's Pajama Jam on Monday, April 17th. This exclusive fun-filled evening will include a special live performance from Kid ‘N Play alongside Sapphire 39’s talented entertainers. Guests will be able to dance to hits like "Rollin' with Kid 'n Play,” & “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody” while also celebrating the birthday of former music executive, Valentina Nicolette.  For more information or to make a reservation, visit https://www.mondaysonlylive.com/

11. Somewhere Nowhere (112 W 25th St.) will host a special sunset party featuring a hybrid DJ set from the musical trio, Whomadewho on Sunday, April 23rd. Whomadewho, the electronic artists from Denmark will headline this spectacular event from Förest Döwn Under & Zero Gravity. Guests will welcome the Spring season with skyline views, delicious bites and a full bar menu available to indulge in.  Doors open at 4pm.  Tickets begin at $50 and can be found by visiting, https://somewherenowherenyc.com/whomadewho-april23/ 

12. Sailor’s Ball - https://www.invitednyc.com/events/2023/4/28/23rd-annual-sailors-ball

Tastemade Me Tacos at CITIZENS New York Food Hall

Tastemade Me Tacos, which was created in collaboration with C3 by SBE, will grow as a grab-and-go dining destination and delivery concept in new markets throughout the US in the upcoming months.

A private preview party was held at CITIZENS Food Hall in New York City by the contemporary media company Tastemade for its first-ever US restaurant, Tastemade Me Tacos, which opens on March 9th and expands the food and lifestyle brand into a hybrid in-person and delivery dining experience from renowned Chef Wes Avila. SBE, a rapidly expanding food tech platform, collaborated with C3 (Creating Culinary Communities) to launch this new takeaway and delivery restaurant.

Taco tastings and a special guest appearance by Chef Wes Avila, who was in town straight from Los Angeles, were part of Tastemade Me Tacos' party at CITIZENS at Manhattan West on Tuesday, March 7. The Market Bar served beverages, including Kawama Tequila Sodas in cans.

Tastemade Me Tacos offers followers of the modern media brand a first-ever eating experience that is inspired by the fan base of millennials and Gen Z and the engaging approach to culinary content used by Tastemade. With this restaurant, Tastemade is taking its food and lifestyle services to the next level and deliberately expanding beyond content into the experiential hospitality sector in order to build stronger ties with its highly engaged social and streaming consumers.

A collection of tacos inspired by the tastes of Mexico, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the American Southwest have been created by Chef Avila, a finalist for the James Beard Award, in collaboration with Tastemade. Tacos with teriyaki beef, chicken shawarma with feta, sumac, and tahini, and the traditional Queso Asado taco with carne asada are among the highlights of Tastemade Me Tacos' menu. For the first time, Avila's cuisine will be sold in New York City at Tastemade Me Tacos. The Michelin Guide to California awarded Bib Gourmand status to Chef Wes' Guerrilla Tacos in 2019. The Los Angeles Magazine readers selected Chef Wes as the city's top local chef in 2020. With his eatery Angry Egret Dinette, Chef Wes was a finalist for the 2022 James Beard Award.

According to Tastemade Co-Founder & CEO Larry Fitzgibbon, "Our followers have embraced Tastemade as a go-to source for international culinary trends, viral food recipes, and the most interesting storytelling in the food industry.” In order to provide our fans with a dining location and delivery service where they can personally taste the finest of Tastemade, we are thrilled to offer this passion and skill to a new culinary experience, Tastemade Me Tacos. We're delighted to introduce Chef Wes Avila to New York City for the first time and to work with best-in-class partners at C3.

“I am more than thrilled to have partnered with Tastemade, a platform that I’ve followed with the utmost appreciation and admiration,” says Founder & CEO Sam Nazarian, SBE.

"I'm very excited to partner with two industry leaders to bring Tastemade Me Tacos to life,” says Chef Wes Avila. “It has been a longtime dream of mine to enter the New York City marketplace, and I'm thrilled to be doing so with Tastemade and C3."

In addition to adding more dining halls in New York City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Washington, D.C., and Miami, Tastemade and C3 want to expand the Tastemade Me Tacos delivery idea into other areas across the US. New sites are anticipated for the Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Minneapolis metro regions later this Spring. The relationship also covers the possibility of developing other dining and delivery ideas in the future. Together, the firms will connect C3's enormous network of over 800 worldwide brand locations, including Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, and Sam's Crispy Chicken, with Tastemade's devoted global audience of over 300 million monthly viewers.

Tastemade Me Tacos is open Monday through Friday, 11:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. at Citizens New York Food Hall at Manhattan West (398 10th Ave, New York, NY 10001). The menu will be available for delivery on the GO by Citizens app, GrubHub, Uber Eats, DoorDash and delivery.com.

Ruthstage's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is back, and hotter than ever!

Last summer, Ruth Stage Production’s ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ swept through Broadway. Though the show only had a limited run, its dynamic and vibrant staging generated enough audience demand for a new run, with even more updates. Tennessee Williams’ classic 1955 play had a similarly modern aesthetic and set design as the last run, but leaned further into the show’s rawness and sex appeal. Almost entirely new casting brought an intense energy to the stage - but the skill and tenacity of the cast exposed the harsh vulnerabilities at the core of the play.

The new production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof features Courtney Henggeler as Maggie the Cat. Though her cadence sometimes betrayed her history as a screen actor, the feline physicality she brings to the character lights up the stage. In capturing Maggie’s relentless confidence, she still is able to invoke the desperation Maggie feels towards her husband Brick and the life she desires. Ruth Stage co-founder Matt De Rogatis returns as the show’s lead character Brick, a character he is clearly intimately familiar with. 

However De Rogatis’ time spent with Brick has lended itself to a powerful performance - his long bouts of silence no longer tense and filled with a brewing rage, but now resigned and troubled, making a viewer in the audience feel more deeply for the character.  Alison Fraser also returned as Big Mama, but her comedic timing and chemistry with Frederick Weller, the new Big Daddy, are explosive on stage.

Once again, the only downfall is in its limited run, which ends on March 31st. One could only hope that this production makes the leap from off-broadway to Broadway, where it belongs. With consistently packed audiences, roaring ovations, and consistently stellar reviews - it’s only a matter of time! If you’re able to, get your tickets and head to the Theater at St Clemens before the show is completely sold out. 

https://www.telecharge.com/Off-Broadway/Cat-on-a-Hot-Tin-Roof/Ticket