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Black Tie
International:
The
32nd Annual Spirit of the City Award Gala
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The Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski, Dean of the
Cathedral, event honorees Ellen and James Marcus.
Photo by Helena Kubicka de Braganca |
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THE
CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE
RAISES OVER $375,000
AT THE
32nd ANNUAL SPIRIT OF THE CITY AWARD GALA
Celebrated Philanthropists Honored for their Dedication
to New York City
New York,
NY (June 1, 2012) – More than 350 guests helped raise over
$375,000 at the 32nd annual Spirit of the City
Award Gala on Wednesday, May 30 at the Cathedral of
St. John the Divine, located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (At
112th Street) in Manhattan. The
event honored Ellen and James Marcus, Prema and
Wallace Mathai-Davis and Zarin Mehta, for their
cultural and philanthropic dedication to New York City.
Each year
Spirit of the City honors celebrated New York City
philanthropists whose work has impacted the city despite
harsh economic times. The dedication of the 2012 honorees
has been felt by countless city residents.
Ellen and
James Marcus
have supported many New York City arts and cultural programs
including The Metropolitan Opera, The Collegiate Chorale and
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The couple also
founded the Julliard School’s Ellen and James S. Marcus
Institute for Vocal Arts, one of
America’s most prestigious programs for educating singers.
Dr.
Wallace Mathai-Davis
has a long-standing commitment to educational efforts and
was a founder of one of the first alternative schools in New
York City. In addition, working in collaboration with
Daytop Village, he helped found a major outpatient drug
rehabilitation center in Central Harlem. He has also been
very active with the National Alliance for Homelessness.
Dr. Prema
Mathai-Davis
has long been an advocate for New York City and its
residents. She developed the Mount Sinai School of
Medicine-Hunter College Gerontology Center, one of the first
of its kind in the United States. During her time as
Commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging
she led efforts to improve service levels for the elderly.
She currently serves on the board of a number of civic and
cultural institutions including The New School, Covenant
House, The New York Hall of Science and the Asian American
Women’s Leadership Institute.
Zarin
Mehta
has made the New York Philharmonic, where he serves as
President and Executive Director, a magnet for the world’s
great artists, bringing both rising and seasoned performers
to the Orchestra’s stage. He has brought joy to thousands
of music lovers with the free Annual Memorial Day Concerts
at the Cathedral and has made outreach to young people a
priority with the famed Young People’s Concerts. Actor
Alec Baldwin presented Mehta with the evening’s Artistic
Honoree Award, an award given each year to an individual who
has contributed significantly to the City’s cultural depth.
“There is
a sense of community among New Yorkers that is unique to the
residents of this city,”
said The Very Reverend
Dr. James A. Kowalski, Dean of the Cathedral.
“As New Yorkers we are very fortunate to have people like
tonight’s honorees among us who give back and help
strengthen that community. Likewise, we in the Cathedral
family could not be more blessed to have such a strong base
of supporters who make it possible for us to keep our doors
open and our community programs running.”
Celebrated singer and
actress, KT Sullivan provided a musical interlude by
singing hits by Cole Porter.
The Spirit of the City gala was first held 36 years
ago, during an era that uncannily echoes our own. In the mid
1970’s, the country was in a fierce recession, with an
unemployment rate over 10 %. New York City faced a
devastating fiscal crisis, and many thought bankruptcy
inevitable. A few people, most notably Felix Rohatyn,
investment banker turned chairman of the Municipal
Assistance Corporation (MAC), came together to manage the
crisis, restructure the city’s debt and generally brought a
sense of renewal to the city. In that period of ferment,
great need and civic action, the Cathedral inaugurated the
Spirit of the City gala to honor those who serve and
inspire New York City. Proceeds from the event will fund
the Cathedral’s outreach programs, civic forums and cultural
events, and the care and maintenance of the Cathedral
itself.
About The
Cathedral
The
Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the Cathedral of the
Episcopal Diocese of New York. It is chartered as a house of
prayer for all people and a unifying center of intellectual
light and leadership. People from many faiths and
communities worship together in services held more than 30
times a week; the soup kitchen serves roughly 23,000 meals
annually; social service outreach has an increasingly varied
roster of programs; the distinguished Cathedral School
prepares young students to be future leaders; the renowned
after school and summer program offers nurturing activities;
the outstanding Textile Conservation Lab preserves world
treasures; concerts, exhibitions, performances and civic
gatherings allow conversation, celebration, reflection and
remembrance—such is the joyfully busy life of this beloved
and venerated Cathedral.
The
Cathedral is open 7 days a week from 7:00AM – 6:00 PM. There
is a suggested admission of $10.00 per person .stjohndivine.org
for more information and a schedule of public programs.
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