Master Calendar of Charity Benefits & Events
in New York
December 2006

Editor: Randall Ian Stempler

Submit Event Listings to: listings@charitybenefits.com

Saturday, December 2

• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: "Lincoln Center Family Festival" at Alice Tully Hall. Fairy Tale Luncheon followed by a performance of your choice, including: "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker", "Fairy Tales with Rob Kapilow," and "Jazz for Young People: What is an arranger?" Tickets: $200 (limited availability). Details from 212-875-5763 or jstybel@lincolncenter.org.

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• Tuesday's Children: "Annual Plandome Holiday Benefit" honoring board members George Malhame and Bert McCooey of Manhasset for their unwavering dedication to 9/11 families from 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. at Plandome Country Club, 145 Stonytown Road, Plandome, NY. Event includes cocktails, dinner, an auction and live music by the Jim Roberti Band. Tickets: $125. Details from 516-562-9000.

Sunday, December 3

• Israel Cancer Research Fund: "27th Annual Tower of Hope Ball" at The Pierre, honoring two noted oncologists: Dr. Nancy Kemeny, Attending Physician of Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, who is also Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College; and Dr. Daniel Libby, Clinical Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Attending Physician at The New York-Presbyterian Hospital. (They are husband and wife.) Reception, silent auction and raffle at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing at 6:00 p.m. Black Tie. Tickets: $500. Details from 212 969-9800 or mail@icrfny.org.

Monday, December 4

• The MacDowell Colony: "MacDowell Celebrates--100 Years of Giving Artists Freedom to Create-- Annual New York Gala" at the University Club. 7:00 p.m.: Cocktails. 8:00 p.m.: Dinner and program. Master of Ceremonies: Robert MacNeil. Chairmen: Ruth M. Feder and Helen S. Tucker. The McDowell Colony was the nation's first artist residency program founded in 1907 in Peterborough, NH by American composer Edward MacDowell and his wife, Marian MacDowell. Each year the Colony welcomes over 250 exceptionally talented artists to pursue their work without interruption. Details from 212-535-9690 or equevedo@macdowellcolony.org.

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• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: "Acquisitions Fund Benefit." Cocktails at 7:00 p.m. Dinner at 8:00 p.m. Black Tie. Tickets: $2,000. Details from 212-570-3948.

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• The Flea Theater and the Chelsea Art Museum: "Twas the Night Before…" at the Chelsea Art Museum, featuring ten minute riffs on the famous holiday poem by playwrights Mac Wellman, Christopher Durang, Len Jenkin, Roger Rosenblatt and Elizabeth Swados, and will star The Bats, the resident company of The Flea. Drinks at 7:00 p.m. Dinner at 8:30 p.m. Downtown Chic Attire. Tickets: $1,000. Details from 212-226-0051, ext. 101.

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• The 92nd Street Y: "Benfit Dinner" honoring film scholar Annette Insdorf and Emmy-winning broadcast journalist Jeff Greenfield, at 7:00 p.m. at Cipriani 23rd Street, Toy Building, 200 Fifth Avenue. MC: ABC-TV film critic Joel Siegel. Tickets: $250. Details from 212-415-5453 or afriedman@92Y.org.

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• New York Cares: "Winter Benefit" at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, honoring individuals who have distinguished themselves through their volunteer efforts and made a real difference in the lives of New Yorkers in need. Hosted by NBC4's Rob Morrison. 6:30 p.m.: Cocktails. 7:30 p.m.: Dinner. Tickets: $750. Details at www.nycares.org or purchase tickets online.

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• Tisch School of the Arts: "Tisch on Broadway" with Billy Crystal, honoring Felicity Huffman, Tony Kushner and George C. Wolfe. Special tribute to Gerald Schoenfeld and Floria Lasky. St. James Theatre. Champagne toast at 6:00 p.m. Performance at 7:30 p.m. Red Carpet Party at Blue Fin at 9:15 p.m. Cocktail Attire. Details from 212-206-6440 or 877-519-7904.

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• S.L.E. Lupus Foundation: "'Life Without Lupus' Gala" honoring James D. Robinson, Chairman of the Board, Bristol-Myers Squibb at the Marriott Marquis. NBC Sports and HBO broadcaster Bob Costas will be Master of Ceremonies, and Broadway star Barbara Cook will provide entertainment. The Gala begins with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by dinner, the evening's program and dancing. Tickets: $700. Details from 212-685-4118.

Tuesday, December 5

• For the benefit of the Humane Society of New York: "Party in Style" at Judith Ripka from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. hosted by Event Planner & Hospitality Consultant Alison Minton, President of Maplemint Enterprises. Guests will receive a $500 gift certificate towards their purchases in Judith Ripka¹s flagship store located at 777 Madison Avenue. Details online.

Wednesday, December 6

• Asia Society: "Annual Dinner" honoring Lakshmi N. Mittal (Invited), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mittal Steel Company, and Charles O. Prince III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup Inc. Co-Chairs: Gina Chu, Lisina Hoch and Charles Rockefeller. 6:30 p.m.: Reception. 7:30 p.m.: Dinner. Grand Ballroom, The Waldorf-Astoria. Asian National Dress or Black Tie. Tickets: $1500. Details from: 212-327-9235 or annualdinner@asiasociety.org.

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• Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America: "2006 Michael S. Modell Memorial Awards Dinner" at the Sheraton New York, honoring Arlen Kantarian, the chief executive of Professional Tennis for the U.S. Tennis Association, who will receive the 2006 Dick Schaap Lifetime Achievement in Sports Award; Howard Lutnick, chairman & ceo of Cantor Fitzgerald, who will be presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award; and Bob Stevenish of Modell's Sporting Goods, who will be given the CCFA Man of the Year Award. Details from 212-679-1570.

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• The Glaucoma Foundation: "20th Annual Black & White Ball--'Traveling toward a Cure'" at The Pierre. Cocktails and Silent Auction at 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 7:30 p.m. The Foundation’s Corporate Visionary Award will be presented to American Airlines. Actress Kitty Carlisle Hart will present the Kitty Carlisle Hart Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement to country singer Ronnie Milsap. The organization funds innovative research leading to new treatments and seeking cures for glaucoma. Tickets: $1,000. Details from 212-651-2508.

Thursday, December 7

• NY de Volunteer: "Fundraising Party" at Felissimo Townhouse, 10 West 56th Street. 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Internationally renowned Opera singer, Ms. Tamura Asako will perform. There will be a Sake tasting event. Raffle. NY de Volunteer is the first Japanese non-profit organization to be endorsed by New York City to participate in its "After School Program for Kids" and to start the NYdV led "Introducing Japanese Culture at After School" Program. Tickets: $50 ($60 at the door). Details from staff@nydevolunteer.org or purchase tickets online.

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• Make-A-Wish Foundation: "16th Annual Holiday Auction" at the Puck Building. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and the opportunity to bid on luxury, fantasy and gift items as well as celebrity memorabilia in both a live and silent auction. Details from 212-849-6993 or aepstein@metrony.wish.org.

Friday, December 8

• For the benefit of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: "Brooks Brothers Holiday Party and Shopping Event" to start to the annual Thanks & Giving fund-raising campaign. To celebrate the kick-off, Brooks Brothers has partnered with Cookie Magazine to host a holiday party at the Madison Avenue flagship (346 Madison Avenue). Special appearances by Marlo Thomas (reading from her new book), Christopher Radko (ornament signing) and Santa Claus (children's photos) are scheduled and the public is invited to join in all the holiday merriment. Helping guests further get into the holiday spirit eggnog, hot cider, and hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the store with a special performance by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Brooks Brothers' customers are also being offered a 15% savings off all purchases made during this event with 10% of the event's proceeds being allocated to St. Jude. 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Details from 800-274-1815.

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• The New York Botanical Garden: "Winter Wonderland Ball." Cocktails, dinner and dancing in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Winter Whites, Blues, and Silver, Black Tie. Tickets: $350. Details from 718-817-8775.

Saturday, December 9

• Brooklyn Kindergarten Society: "The Yuletide Ball" at The Heights Casino, 75 Montague Street, Brooklyn, New York. 10:00 p.m. Black Tie . Tickets: $150. Details from 718-623-9803.

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• New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet: "The Nutcracker Family Benefit" featuring George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker." 2:00 p.m. Corporate Chairman: Robert Tonner. Chairmen: Whitney Clay, Serena Lese and Gillian Miniter. Tickets: $450 (limited availability). Details from NYCB at 212-870-5585 or SAB at 212-769-6600.

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• H.A.D ORG OF NYC: "21st Annual All Star Charity, Entertainment, Fashion, Dinner & Awards Gala 2006" at Lincoln Square Centre, 250 West 65th Street. High Level Fashion Show, VIP Networking Reception, followed by Dinner & Dessert, and Live Entertainment by: Shakti India’s Bangra & Dance Queen, R&B, Robert Jackson. Bellydancing by Salome & Her Dancing Troupe. Awards Presentation to Liberty News Online Magazine’s 2006 Honoree’s. Guest Appearances by Celebrities from the Sports & Entertainment world. For the benefit of H.A.D. ORG OF NYC's Youth, Homeless & Humanitarian programs. Tickets: $125. Details from 718-507-7616, 347-398-3151 or Show06@hadofnyc.org.

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• Children's Museum of the East End: "A Family FUNdraiser" from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Food. Activities for children of all ages, featuring a private preview of artist Mia Fonssagrives-Solow's Winter Jungle.  Tickets: $500 (per family of 6); $250 (per family of 4) (additional tickets $100 per adult, $50 per child). Details from info@cmee.org.

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• For the benefit of the Humanitarian Foundation: "Gotham Society Holiday Gala" in the elegant Park Avenue mansion of an exclusive private club. Cocktail reception with open bar and hors d'oeuvres, dinner, wine, live music and dancing. 7:00 p.m. - Midnight or later. Dancing to the Music of the Alex Donner Orchestra. Black Tie. Tickets: $300. Details from 917-699-5630 or GothamSociety@aim.com.

Sunday, December 10

• Association to Benefit Children: "4th Annual Holiday Skating Party" at Rockefeller Center. Details from 212-831-1322 or info@a-b-c.org.

Monday, December 11

• Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS/Dancers Responding to AIDS: "Dance from the Heart 2006" at Cedar Lake, 547 West 26th Street. 7:30 p.m. Performance and after party. Tickets: $250 ($150 for performance only). Details from 212-840-0770 or info@bcefa.org or purchase tickets online.

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• Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS/Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS: "Concert" featuring Angelika Kirchschlager, mezzo-soprano, and Malcolm Martineau, piano. Michael Palm Series. Tickets: $500. Details from 212-840-0770 or info@bcefa.org or purchase tickets online.

Tuesday, December 12

• Brooklyn Academy of Music: "BAM Next Wave Gala--Nefés." Cocktail Reception at 6:00 p.m. Performance at 7:00 p.m. Dinner with the cast at 10:00 p.m. (estimated). Details from 718-636-4182.

Wednesday, December 13

• The Fortune Society: "7th Annual Prisoner Art Show Benefit Auction" from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Frieda and Roy Furman Gallery, The Walter Reade Theatre at Lincoln Center. (Exhibition is from December 1 - December 22; 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily (exhibition free)) Tickets: $75. Details from 212-691-7554, ext. 553.

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• Time In--Children's Art Initiative/New York Foundation for the Arts: "HiArt Benefit" at the Perry Rubenstein Gallery, 527 West 23rd Street. Hosts: Sara Fitzmaurice, Susan Numeroff and Wendi Rose. Guests of Honor: Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. Silent auction of two photo portrait sittings by Inez and Vinoodh. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Suggested Donation: $250. Details online.

Friday, December 15

• Hospitality Committee for United Nations Delegations: "Ambassadors' Ball 2006" at Cipriani 42nd Street. This year’s event will be a special Farewell Celebration in honor of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Mrs. Annan. The Chairman of the Ambassadors' Ball 2006 is Dr. Nassrin Iromloo Zahedi, and the Master of Ceremonies is Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed. Dinner and dancing, featuring Harrington Music. A Live and Silent Auction as well as the raffle will also be a part of the evenings events with Christie’s Auction House donating their services. Tickets: $400 ($150 for dancing and cocktails only from 9:30 p.m.). Details from 212) 963-8753.

Friday, December 29

• The International Debutante Ball Foundation Charities: "51st International Debutante Ball" at the Waldorf-Astoria. 7:30 p.m.: Receiving Line, Badildon Room - Cocktails, Jade Room. 9:00 p.m.: Dinner, Grand Ballroom. 11:00 p.m.: Presentation of Debutantes, Grand Ballroom. Fifty three young women of distinction from the United States and abroad (including eight sets of sisters) will make their bow to society. The debutantes represent England, Austria, China, France, Greece, The Republic of Panama, Scotland, Switzerland and sixteen American states. Each debutante will be accompanied by her own escort in white tie and tails, and a military cadet in dress uniform who carries the flag of the country or state which she represents. Details from 212-861-5911.

Friday, December 1

• Stray from the Heart: "Home for the Holidays" to benefit dog rescue and rehabilitation, at Home, 532 West 27th Street. 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Tickets: $30 (in advance; $40 at the door). Purchase tickets online.

Tuesday, December 5

• For the benefit of the Humane Society of New York: "Party in Style" at Judith Ripka from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. hosted by Event Planner & Hospitality Consultant Alison Minton, President of Maplemint Enterprises. Guests will receive a $500 gift certificate towards their purchases in Judith Ripka¹s flagship store located at 777 Madison Avenue. Details online.

Thursday, December 7

• NY de Volunteer: "Fundraising Party"staff@nydevolunteer.orgg or purchase tickets online.

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• Jazz for Peace for the benefit of Media 4 Humanity: "Benefit Concert for 'Children in Chains' Campaign" at Dillons Lounge 245 West 54th Street. 7:30 p.m. Dress: Manhattan Chic. Tickets: $25. Details from hrp217@nyu.edu or 315-657-5372.

Saturday, December 9

• The Morgan Library & Museum: "Young Associates Holiday Party" from 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres. Open Bar. Jazz Trio. Cocktail Attire. Tickets: $150 ($125 for members of the Young Associates). Details from 212-590-0325.

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• Brooklyn Kindergarten Society: "The Yuletide Ball" at The Heights Casino, 75 Montague Street, Brooklyn, New York. 10:00 p.m. Black Tie . Tickets: $150. Details from 718-623-9803.

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• For the benefit of the Humanitarian Foundation: "Gotham Society Holiday Gala" in the elegant Park Avenue mansion of an exclusive private club. Cocktail reception with open bar and hors d'oeuvres, dinner, wine, live music and dancing. 7:00 p.m. - Midnight or later. Dancing to the Music of the Alex Donner Orchestra. Black Tie. Tickets: $300. Details from 917-699-5630 or GothamSociety@aim.com.

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• New York Festival of Song: "Beauty Bright. An Evening with Kelli O'Hara." The concert begins at 8:00 p.m. at The Kaplan Penthouse (10th Floor of the Samuel B. and David Rose Building, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza) and will feature Broadway favorites as well as new off-Broadway classics that highlight Ms. O'Hara's power and versatility as a song stylist. The concert will be preceded by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Festive Finery. Tickets: $375. Details from 646-230-8380 or purchase tickets online.

Tuesday, December 12

• Neue Galerie: "Winter Gala." Details from 212-994-9491.

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• Young Friends of the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust: "Hanukkah Party" a festive evening of hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, fine wines, museum tours, a raffle, and entertainment. 7:00 p.m. Cocktail attire is encouraged. Tickets: $95 ($75 for Young Friends Members). Details from 646-437-4337.

Wednesday, December 13

• The R E *Generation Partners StandUp For Kids and YouthNoise: "Auction & Party" at The XChange, 640 West 28th Street, 9th floor. Ten established and emerging artists showcase works depicting the theme of youth living on the fringes of society. 7:00 p.m.: Silent Bidding. 9:30 p.m.: Auction Closing. Tickets: $50 (individual; $80 pair). Details online.

Thursday, December 14

• Guggenheim Museum: "Young Collectors Council Artist's Ball." 9:00 p.m. Co-Chairs: Sally and Rufus Albemarle; Amanda and Christopher Brooks; Amalia Dayan and Adam Lindemann; Eva and Lorenzo Lorenzotti; Lucy Sykes Rellie and Euan Rellie; and Jacqueline and Mortimer Sackler. Details online.

Monday, December 18

• Standup For Kids: "Holiday Benefit Party" at Time Warner Center from 8:00 p.m. - midnight. Gourmet food from Whole Foods Market. Live jazz from top musicians. Dancing. Champagne and wine. Silent Auction. Raffle. Details from 800-365-4543 or purchase ticket online.

Wednesday, December 20

• For the benefit of The Children's Aid Society and The Yorkville Common Pantry: "Holiday Toy Drive 2006" at the Pink Elephant Club, 527 West 27th Street. 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Cash Bar.  Drink Specials. Music. Raffle Prizes. Guest Appearances by Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Christmas Cosmos & Reindeer Beer. All toys to be donated to The Children's Aid Society. Cash donations to benefit The Children's Aid Society and The Yorkville Common Pantry. Tickets: Admission is an Unwrapped Toy Or $20. Details from rsvptoydrive2006@yahoo.com .

Although we endeavor to maintain the accuracy of the listings, locations, prices and times should always be confirmed with the sponsoring organization.

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E-mail all inquiries to: randallstempler@charitybenefits.com