Jay Leno to Host 20th Anniversary Gala to Celebrate The Hudson River Park

The Hudson River Park has announced that they will honor Award-winning actor, Claire Danes; Deputy Mayor, City of New York & Vice Chair, Hudson River Park Trust, Alicia Glen and Chairman & CEO, RXR Realty LLC, Scott Rechler at the 2018 Gala on Thursday, October 11th at Pier 62 in Hudson River Park.

The evening, which will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Hudson River Park Gala, will be hosted by acclaimed late night TV host, comedian, author and philanthropist, Jay Leno and will feature a special performance by Natalie Merchant. This 2018 Gala co-chairs include Sukey and Michael E. Novogratz; Diana L. Taylor and Michael R. Bloomberg; Mia Jung and Scott M. Lawin; Paula and Eric Madoff; Lee and Justin Sadrian and Megan Walsh Shaoul and Ben Shaoul.

Hudson River Park, the longest riverfront park in the nation, is Manhattan's backyard. Running from Chambers to 59th Street along the Hudson River, it has transformed four miles of decaying industrial waterfront into a beloved, urban recreational paradise. Hudson River Park attracts millions of visitors to its myriad recreational facilities, educational and cultural programs, imaginative playgrounds, lively dog parks and lush green lawns, waterfront esplanade and bike paths.

"This very special 20th Anniversary Hudson River Park Gala is a celebration of the stunning transformation of Manhattan's west side waterfront," said Mike Novogratz, Chair of Hudson River Park Friends. "This exceptional public resource is the reason Friends exists, and it's all of our responsibilities to make sure it's given the care and attention it merits."

"I have been a part of Hudson River Park since its inception 20 years ago. It's truly one of the greatest public projects of our time, and I am proud to be a part of it," said Diana Taylor, Board Chair of the Hudson River Park Trust.

Scott Rechler is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of RXR Realty LLC ("RXR"). Since its formation in January 2007, Mr. Rechler has led RXR in becoming one of the largest owners, managers, and developers in New York City and the surrounding region. In June 2011, Mr. Rechler was appointed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve on the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. During his Board tenure Mr. Rechler served as Vice Chairman of such Board, and as Chairman of the Port Authority's Capital Planning Committee with responsibility for the Port's $30 billion capital budget, including the World Trade Center redevelopment. In May 2013, Mr. Rechler was appointed to represent Governor Cuomo on the Board of The National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center Foundation, Inc. In June 2017, Mr. Rechler was appointed by Gov. Cuomo to serve on the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Mr. Rechler prides himself on enhancing the communities where RXR operates. As such, he serves as Chairman of the Regional Plan Association, is a member of the Real Estate Board of New York a Board member of The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, and a member of the NYU Real Estate Institute Advisory Committee. In addition, Mr. Rechler serves on the Board of many of the region's top cultural institutions such as the Tribeca Film Institute where he serves as its co-Chairman of the Board, 9/11 Memorial & Museum Board of Directors, serving as Co-Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee, the Long Island Children's Museum, and the Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center.

Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen leads the administration's efforts to grow and diversify New York City's economy, invest in emerging industries across the 5 boroughs, build a new generation of affordable housing, and help New Yorkers secure good-paying jobs that can support a family. With more than 20 City agencies or authorities under her purview, Glen's portfolio includes: the Department of City Planning; the Department of Parks and Recreation; the Economic Development Corporation; the Department of Consumer Affairs; the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment; the Housing Development Corporation; the Department of Housing Preservation and Development; the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Under her leadership, the City has successfully undertaken the most comprehensive affordable housing program in the nation's history; re-zoned Greater East Midtown; launched the first citywide ferry service; and made strategic investments to support advanced manufacturing, media and entertainment, fashion and design, the Life Sciences and the tech ecosystem. The Deputy Mayor also leads the nationally recognized Tech Talent Pipeline and WE-NYC initiatives, designed to prepare underserved New Yorkers and women to thrive in the modern innovation economy.

Claire Danes has established herself as one of Hollywood's leading actresses, winning multiple awards for her roles in films and television series. Danes currently stars on Showtime's critically acclaimed series "Homeland." For her performance as "Carrie Mathison" she has won back to back Emmy and GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama" and a 2013 SAG Award for "Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series." Danes also serves as a co-executive producer on the show. She also received critical acclaim for her performance in HBO's "Temple Grandin" biopic. Danes won the 2010 Emmy Award for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie" and the film won for "Outstanding Made for Television Movie." She also won the 2011 Golden Globe Award for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television" and the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Award for "Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries." On the big screen, Danes recently starred in "A Kid Like Jake" opposite Jim Parsons. The film premiered to rave reviews at this year's Sundance Film Festival and was be released by IFC this summer. She last appeared in Sony Pictures Classic's "Brigsby Bear" which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Claire lives in New York City and is a frequent visitor of Hudson River Park.

The evening's Honorary Committee includes: Mario Cantone, David Chang, Andy Cohen, Kristen Davis, Robert De Niro, Diane von Furstenberg & BARRY Diller; Padma Lakshmi, Denis Leary, Lucy Liu, Julianne Moore & Bart Freundlich; Chris Noth, Catherine O'Hara, Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick; Renzo Piano, Eric Ripert, Susan Sarandon, Kyra Sedgwick, Emilia and Ryan Serhant; Martin Short, Martha Stewart, Oliver Stone, Trina Turk and Adam D. Weinberg.

The evening's live auction will be led by Lydia Fenet, Senior Vice President and Global Director of Strategic Partnerships at Christie's and will feature exclusive items including: VIP Experience of the Whitney's highly-anticipated exhibition Andy Warhol - From A to B and Back Again, VIP Wimbledon "Magic Monday" Extravaganza and a one-of-a-kind Martha Stewart Experience.

The Gala is presented by RXR and Gala Sponsors include: Advantage Title, Darcy Stacom and Bill Shanahan, CBRE; Andrew W. Alberstein and Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein LLP; COLONY Capital; The Kaplan Law Group, PC; and Vornado. Stewards include Bloomberg Philanthropies, CITI, The Madison Square Garden Company and Lee and Justin Sadrian.

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