Last night, October 14th, 2010, Sing for Hope (www.singforhope.org) presented its annual gala to raise awareness and support for Sing for Hope's programs that mobilize professional artists in volunteer service to benefit schools, hospitals and communities. The event also raised funds for the 2011 return of Sing for Hope Street Pianos, a public art installation that brought 60 upright pianos to the streets of New York this past summer, and embodies Sing for Hope's mission of making art available to all.
Sing for Hope's 2010 Gala: An American Songbook featured performances by leading Sing for Hope Donor Artists from Lincoln Center and Broadway, and conversation with renowned philanthropic and artistic leaders.
The evening, chaired by prominent New York philanthropists Joseph and Judi Flom, and co-chaired by Renée Fleming, Deborra-Lee and Hugh Jackman, and Dr. Muhammad Yunus, featured an intimate dinner and conversation with honorees Tony Bennett ~ 15-time Grammy Award Winner, Kennedy Center Honoree, and recipient of the United Nations Citizen of the World Award; Ronald Perelman ~ Businessman and Philanthropist; and Ann Ziff ~ Metropolitan Opera Co-Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lincoln Center. Sing for Hope Donor Artist Tituss Burgess from The Little Mermaid and Guys and Dolls on Broadway will emcee the event. Guests included Billie Jean King, Martha Stewart, New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy, Vietnamese concert pianist Chau-Giang Thi Nguyen and Hollywood producer Brian Grazer, as well as other figureheads from the worlds of business and the arts.
Sing for Hope Donor Artists featured on the evening's program included internationally-renowned operatic baritone Nathan Gunn, stage, television and film star Roger Bart, Broadway perfomer Janine LaManna, sopranos Jennifer Aylmer and Alyson Cambridge, mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey, and tenors Glenn Seven Allen and Michael Slattery. Alyson Cambridge and Kate Lindsey appear courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera.
As a special treat, gala attendees took home their very own Sing for Hope Street Piano. Sotheby's Executive Vice President Hugh Hildesley auctioned the four pianos that were in residence at Lincoln Center, each of them hand painted by renowned artist Sophie Matisse. Additionally, the 2010 Sing for Hope Steinway Grand, autographed by Tony Bennett, was auctioned.
BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.
Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi
Honoree Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto
Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto
Camille Zamora (Co-Founding Director, Sing for Hope)
Christopher Herbert (Manager Volunteer Services and Media, Sing for Hope) and Martha Stewart
Christopher Herbert and Martha Stewart
Host Tituss Burgess
Martha Stewart and Tony Bennett
Martha Stewart and Tony Bennett
Martha Stewart and Tony Bennett
Gala Chair Renee Flemming
Renee Flemming
Janine LaManna and Tony Bennett
Renee Fleming and Camille Zamora
Renee Fleming, Camille Zamora and Honoree Ann Ziff
Martha Stewart, Christopher Herbert and Kathy Sloane
Coco Nguyen
Coco Nguyen
Coco Nguyen, Gala Chairs Joseph Flom and Judi Flom
Michael Slattery, Jennifer Aylmer, Alyson Cambridge, Blythe Gaissert and Djordje Nesic
Mike McDermott and Janine LaManna
Glenn Seven Allen and Christopher Herbert
Nicole Allen and Glenn Seven Allen
Christopher Hebert, Ritu Chaltree, Vera Yunus and Elliot Silverman
Nathan Gunn and Julie Gunn
Camille Zamora, Nathan Gunn, Julie Gunn, Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto
Phyllis Washington, Dennis Washington and Coco Nguyen
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