On Monday, October 28, 2013, Sing for Hope will hold its 7th annual gala at Center548 in Manhattan. The gala's theme is "Art for All," in reflection of Sing for Hope's arts outreach programs that democratize the arts and ignite the spark of creative innovation in all people. Cocktails begin promptly at 6:30 p.m., with dinner and the program beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event is chaired by Ann Ziff (Sing for Hope Board Member, Chair of the Metropolitan Opera, and Vice-Chair of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts) and will honor Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani, Inc., America's #1 selling yogurt brand. Scroll down for a look at this year's performers and guests!
Mr. Ulukaya is being honored for his ongoing philanthropic support of Sing for Hope and his visionary sponsorship of The Sing for Hope Pianos, New York City's most beloved large-scale annual public art project that places 88 pianos throughout the parks and public spaces of the five boroughs for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
In Mr. Ulukaya's words, "As two entrepreneurial organizations united by a mission to provide equal access to everyone - whether it's music or genuine food products - Chobani is proud to support Sing for Hope. Through funding this inventive program and as members of the New York community, we are honored to be a part in deepening the role New York City plays as a thought leader in music and the arts."
In the words of Sing for Hope's Co-Founders, internationally acclaimed sopranos Camille Zamora and Monica Yunus, "Hamdi's visionary philanthropy and generosity of spirit have been nothing short of transformational for Sing for Hope and the communities we serve. We are excited to celebrate Hamdi and our terrific partnership with the incredible Chobani team."
The gala will feature special performances by distinguished lyric tenor Matthew Polenzani, Broadway leading lady Melissa Errico, a capella group The Maccabeats, as well as soprano Alyson Cambridge, mezzo-sopranos Sandra Piques Eddy and Rebecca Ringle, pianist Howard Watkins, and The Sing for Hope Youth Chorus. The event will also feature the fun, interactive Modern Photo Booth and a special exhibit of art photos from The Sing for Hope Pianos project.
Following the gala, there will be an After Party beginning at 9:30 p.m., with specialty desserts designed by Pinch, an open bar sponsored by Frankly Wines and Encore, and live music by The Hot Sardines and DJ Seth Johnson.
The Sing for Hope ART FOR ALL Gala Host Committee members Michael & Polly Brandmeyer, Lily Cole, Sass Darwish, Brian Feist, Flavia Gale, William & Maria Eugenia Haseltine, Arianna Huffington, Malini Moorthy, Joan & Barry Tucker, and Cynthia Vance & Bob Abrams, will join Sing for Hope Board Members Andrea Bocelli, Valerie Demont, Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, Annabelle Garrett, Linda E. Johnson, Jodi Kahn, Margie Loeb, Lilia Marini-Calves, David Miller, Luis Moreno, Kara Unterberg, Billy Weisman, Damian Woetzel, James Woolery, Muhammad Yunus, Ann Ziff, and Board Chair Eva Haller in hosting the event. The Sing for Hope After Party Host Committee includes Louis Burgdorf, Monique Coleman, Zecki Dossal, Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, C.J. Guinness, Brandon McReynolds, J. Robin Moon, Laura Ricciardi, Antonio Ruiz-Gimenez, Jr., Amanda Slavin, Andrew Tejerina, Derek Thompson, and Emily Wilson. Recent honorees and guests include Tony Bennett, Billie Jean King, Petra Nemcova, Martha Stewart, Nathan Gunn, Ricky Ian Gordon, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Renee Fleming, Placido Domingo, Reynold Levy, and Jane Fonda. The evening will feature remarks by Sing for Hope Co-Founders Camille Zamora and Monica Yunus, who will be dressed by designer Rebecca Taylor, known for her modern take on traditional feminine designs and her passion for the worlds of music and art.
The mission of Sing for Hope is to make the arts accessible to all. This vision of "art for all" is informed by the belief that the arts have the unique power to uplift, unite, and transform individuals and communities. Each Sing for Hope program is defined by the volunteer service of artists, the needs of the community, and the belief in the transformative power of the arts.
For more information about the Sing for Hope Art for All Gala, visit www.singforhope.org/gala2013 or contact our Special Events Team at gala@singforhope.org. To learn more about Sing for Hope's programs, visit www.singforhope.org, contact the office at (212)966-5955, or email info@singforhope.org.
Hamdi Ulukaya, 2013 Sing for Hope ART FOR ALL Gala Honoree and Founder & CEO of Chobani, Inc.
Ann Ziff, 2013 Sing for Hope ART FOR ALL Gala Chair
Soprano Monica Yunus, Sing for Hope Co-Founding Director
Soprano Camille Zamora, Sing for Hope Co-Founding Director
Broadway Leading Lady Melissa Errico
Tenor Matthew Polenzani
Soprano Alyson Cambridge
Mezzo-Soprano Rebecca Ringle
Mezzo-Soprano Sandra Piques Eddy
Pianist Howard Watkins
Aspen Institute Arts Director, Sing for Hope Board Member & former NYC Ballet Principal Dancer Damian Woetzel
The Maccabeats
The Hot Sardines
Videos