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Henry Buhl's
Black and White Ball |
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Co-chair Paola Rosenshein, Mariana Zois, Henry Buhl, Priscilla Zoullas.
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On Thursday, June 17, 2010, The Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (“A.C.E.”) threw a fabulous 80th birthday bash fundraiser for its founder, renowned philanthropist and art collector Henry Buhl at The Edison Ballroom. And this “roaring Thirties” Black and White Ball theme certainly would have given Truman Capote a run for his money. Contrary to the New York all-Black dress code of yesterday, White was the color of the evening for the ladies.
Alex Donner and his orchestra set the mood with classics from the American songbook, and guests enthusiastically danced the night away. “Punk poetess” Patti Smith provided an exciting juxtaposition to the evening with her soulful set of songs, including a breathy Marilyn Monroe-esque rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Henry. Patti, who donned a shimmery tuxedo jacket, joked that “I’ve never performed in sequins before.” She led the guests in another round of “Happy Birthday” and an incredible five-tiered cake was rolled out. The confection was embellished with intertwining hands, evoking the theme of Henry Buhl’s famous art collection.
But “hands down” the evening’s highlight was a Burlesque performance by a beautiful dancer in 1930s pin-up girl attire. It was not clear what the crowd around the dance floor enjoyed more: the burlesque or Henry’s delighted reaction!
Felicia Taylor, the evening’s emcee, provided humor, but also sensitivity to the real cause of the evening, homelessness. And a stirring speech by one of the program’s “graduates,” Kelvin really brought home the importance of ACE’s mission.
Other guests included: Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Curtis Sliwa, Ambassador John Loeb and Sharon Handler, Countess LuAnn De Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, Nicole Miller, Kipton Cronkite, Veronica Mainetti, Janna Bullock, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Lauren Roberts, Donna Soloway, Paola and Arnie Rosenshein, Robin Cofer, Suzanne Murphy, Catherine Saxton, Carola and Robert Jain, Mariana and George Kaufman, Dr. Howard and Gayle Sobel, Lisa Dennison, Jennifer Joyce and Ingrid Seynhaeve.
Ball co-chairs included Robin Cofer and Dominic D'alleva, Kipton Cronkite, Mr. & Mrs. George Kaufman, Laurence Leeds, Jr., Veronica Mainetti, Paola Bacchini Rosenshein and Suzanne Murphy.
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Patti Smith, Henry Buhl.
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Co-chair Kipton Cronkite, honoree Henry Buhl, Michael Moreno.
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Co-chair Suzanne Murphy, Sara Herbert Galloway.
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Co-chair Robin Cofer.
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Ingrid Seynhaeve.
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Co-chair Veronica Mainetti.
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Co-chairs Mariana Kaufman and George Kaufman.
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Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr., Sharon Handler.
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Jean Shafiroff, Janna Bullock, Lucia Hwong-Gordon.
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Richard Kaplan, Edwina Sandys, Henry Buhl.
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Laura Pozvolska, Brent Nicklas.
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Barbara Tober and Donald Tober.
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Kim Taipale, Nicole Miller.
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Dr. Shireen Fernandez, Alex Harris.
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Dr. Larry Park, Sandra Sanches.
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Anthony Addison, Felicia Taylor.
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Mary Sliwa, Curtis Sliwa.
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Theresa Olszewski, A.C.E. Board member Marianna Olszewski Rounick.
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Mariana Zois, A.C.E. Board member Elia Zois.
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LuAnn de Lesseps, Sonja Tremont Morgan.
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Jodi Bombace and Michael Moreno.
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Amy Magee and Peter Tunney.
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Christine De Lisle, Ken Klein, Betsy McCaughey.
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Henry Buhl, Veronica Varlow / Danger Dame.
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Herve Larretche, Kat Cohen.
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Gail Martin, Jim Martin.
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Donna Poyiadjis, Royce Poyiadjis.
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Arnie Rosenshein, Brent Nicklas.
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Donna Soloway, Henry Buhl.
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Michele Gerber Klein, Michael Stout.
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Alex Donner.
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Michele Oka Doner and Frederick Doner.
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| Photos: ©Manhattan Society.com 2010 by Gregory Partanio |
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