By Great Performances

Looking back on 2019 makes GP at once nostalgic about the year past and supercharged for the year to come. As traditional, the gala season kicked off with the Lycée Français de New York fundraiser. Never one to ascribe to tradition, they were first to use the event space, which once was a trading floor and now is a Skylight Group event space. On the heels of that exquisitely appointed crowd was the equally fabulous—but much more monochromatic— Red Dress Awards hosted by Woman’s Day at Jazz at Lincoln Center, honoring those who have made great efforts in women’s heart health. They both have a way of warming up February!

Speaking of women’s health, and placed a little further into spring was Planned Parenthood’s annual fundraiser honoring those who fight the good fight for the health rights of women (a proud partnership for GP as a woman-owned company). Out in Brooklyn, we honored the visionary Frida Kahlo at the Brooklyn Museum’s annual fundraiser. It was a colorful exploration of Mexican flavors and aesthetics. Later in the spring, Time 100 honored the world’s greatest at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and we were honored to breathe the same air! Fortunately, this summer we were able to get plenty of fresh air out in Montauk as we took the show on the road to the Hero Hotel for Saks Fifth Avenue’s partnership with Bumble.

Back to the boroughs, we saw DVF pass the torch to Tom Ford at the CFDA awards. In the Fall, we were privileged to be a part of the evenings of Tina and Dolly. Those only-one-name-needed women both saw the launch of their creative retrospectives. It’s been a year of really THE BEST events and even better clients, and as we near the end of 2019 we are filled with gratitude and enthusiasm.

Lycee Francais de New York Annual Gala

February 9, 2019, at Skylight on Vesey

Lycée Francais celebrated the 20th year of its largest fundraising event at a never before activated space in the financial district, Skylight on Vesey. The gala honored Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani.

The gala’s 900 guests enjoyed a delicious dinner featuring a Gotham Greens’ Salanova Salad with Greenhouse Blooms, Elderflower Carrot Creme, French Verbena ad Lemon Vinaigrette; Eggplant Chermoula with Cauliflower Couscous, Crispy Chickpeas, Tahini, Roast Tomato and Harissa; and a delicious assortment of Petit Fours.

 

16TH Annual Red Dress Awards

February 12, 2019 at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Great Performances had the honor of working with Woman’s Day, for the 10th consecutive year, at their 16th annual Red Dress Awards at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The 2019 Red Dress Awards honored Angela Bassett, Chandra Wilson, Girl Trek (T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison) and Mary Norine Walsh for their work in increasing awareness about heart-related issues.

The event’s 400 guests enjoyed breathtaking views of Columbus Circle and Central Park South while indulging in our delicious Dim Sum and Cheeses for the Growing Season food stations.

 

2019 Brooklyn Artists Ball

April 16, 2019 at the Brooklyn Museum

David Stark Design transformed The Beaux-Arts Court into a colorful, festive venue for the 8th Annual Brooklyn Artists Ball which brings together local and notable artists, raises money for the museum’s programs and honors individuals and organizations making a difference in the art community. This year, Bank of America and artist Nick Cave were honored for their work and support.

Inspired by the museum’s current exhibit, Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving, which celebrates artist and activist Frida Kahlo, the decorations featured a custom canopy made from thousands of papel picado flags, creating a magnificent centerpiece in the dining room.

The gala’s 600 guests enjoyed a delicious dinner featuring Shrimp Ceviche Tostada with Hamachi Blood Orange Aquachile; Goffle Road Farm’s Chicken Breast with Mole Amarillo, Vegetable-Stuffed Squash Blossom and Blue Corn; and a decadent Horchata Flan.

 

Time 100 Gala

April 23, 2019 at Jazz at Lincoln Center

In April of every year, TIME Magazine honors the 100 most influential people in the world with a special edition and a Gala Dinner in their honor. Since its inception, Great Performances has catered this iconic event at the world-famous Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The dignitaries honored range from Barack Obama, Pope Francis, and John McCain to Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, and Dwayne Johnson. Honorees Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, John Legend, Prince, and Jennifer Lopez have performed as well. This is always one of our favorite “Great Performances” of the year and we look forward to it with great anticipation every spring.

 

The Council oF Fashion Designers of America Awards

June 3, 2019 at the Brooklyn Museum

For the second year in a row, The Council of Fashion Designers of America brought food and fashion under one roof at the Brooklyn Museum. More than 600 of the biggest names in fashion made their way to Brooklyn for an unforgettable night honoring Carine Roitfeld, Jennifer Lopez, Eileen Fisher, Lynn Yaeger and Alexander McQueen.

The night started with an indoor/outdoor cocktail party where guests enjoyed Goat Cheese Bon Bons and Toasted Tomato Tarts. Once inside, they enjoyed a delicious dinner featuring Salad Shirazi with Cucumber, Beet-Pickled Red Onion, Mint, Parsley and Lemon Vinaigrette; Eggplant Chermoula with Agave Roasted Eggplant, Cauliflower Couscous, Cherry Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives and Crispy Chickpeas. During the award ceremony, guests enjoyed Champagne Truffles, Raspberry Hibiscus Cheesecake and Lemon Drop Bretons for dessert.

 

SAKS BY THE SEA

August 23 – 25 at Hero Beach Club

Nothing says summer like a weekend in the Hamptons, and nobody does it quite like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bumble BFF. They took over Hero Beach Club for “Saks by the Sea, a Saks and Bumble BFF Bee-Treat,” an amazing weekend retreat for some very VIP guests. We worked with IMG to create an unforgettable weekend with R+R by the beach and pool, specially curated experiences, and of course, incredible local fare. From the Strawberry Basil Prosecco Pops to the Charcuterie Plates that greeted each guest, each and every detail was designed to capture the spirit of a weekend in the Hamptons.

 

The New York Times DealBook Conference Day

November 6, 2019

Each November, an exceptional group of innovative thinkers and business leaders take the stage for a day of riveting discussions with celebrated Time’s journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin in the spectacular setting of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room at the Time Warner Center in New York City. Sorkin and his guests will explore the most newsworthy topics of the day through the lens of long-term leadership. The audience of high-level executives and entrepreneurs will walk away with new insights on how to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. Great Performances is very proud to have played a major part in its production for the past three years and are booked for another “Great Performance” in November 2020.

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