Follow The Wag on Twitter

The Scene & the Seen

By Elsa Brenner

Westchester Philharmonic Measure for Measure


1. Guest cellist Zuill Bailey, Itzhak Perlman, and Navah Perlman    2. Richard Dannenberg, U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, with Mary Ann and Peter Liebert   3. Janet Langsam with Dennis Mehiel   4. N.Y. State Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer and husband, Martin, with Brenda Resnick Spano   5. Andy Spano and wife, Brenda; Liz with husband, Tony Aiello
Photos by Susan Farley

Westchester Philharmonic
"Measure for Measure"
This year’s gala benefit for the Westchester Philharmonic at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College could not have been more aptly named: “Measure for Measure.” Following a May 16 concert under the baton of conductor and violinist Itzhak Perlman, the philharmonic held its gala dinner, adding an extra measure of harmony with a chamber music recital by the maestro’s daughter, Navah Perlman on piano, along with the other members of the Perlman-Schmidt-Bailey Trio.

Among the guests was the forever-young Betty Osman, looking super as usual in an aqua suit that she confided dates back to her granddaughter’s bat mitzvah eight years ago. She and charming husband, Al, are looking forward to a summer vacation this year at Quisisana, a camp/music festival/gourmand’s fantasy on Lake Kezar in Lovell, Maine, a popular “in” spot for those culturally in the know.

Janet Langsam, the charge d’affaires of ArtsWestchester, was cutting edge in a translucent orange blouse worn under a black Jil Sander suit. Jamie Shenkman, the vintage jewelry queen (she sells as well as buys), wore crystal earrings and a necklace, and if your thing is jewelry with a history, you absolutely must get on her mailing list. Check out www.rubylane.com/shops/jamiesantiques.

Nita Lowey, our venerable U.S. representative in Congress, outshone the rest of the pack in a stunning St. John’s brocade suit with pearl beading. She’s a woman who knows her style and wears it well. Another classic: Hannah Schmerler of Rye, a member of the gala committee and a board member, who was shining alongside husband, Walter, wore a pearl-and-emerald necklace and earrings. The couple is off this summer to their second home in Great Barrington and the wonderful world of Tanglewood.

Before we move on to our next major spring event, here’s a nod to former County Exec Andy Spano and wife, Brenda, who were there looking like they were thriving as never before. As Andy himself put it, “We’re a government in exile—but happy and busy.” (Hmm, does distance make the heart grow fonder?) The current county executive, Rob Astorino, certainly has his hands full. In just a few months, he’s so angered the County Legislature over budgetary measures that they are threatening to take him to court! Perhaps he’d rather be in Spano’s dancing shoes right about now?

 

Katonah Museum of Art


1. Co-chairs Laura Schroeder and Amanda Byrne   2. Honoree Vickie Morris with husband Steve Morris   3. Christine Crabtree, Barbara Jenkoff, Sara Lee Schupf, and John Crabtree  4. Jacqui Potente, Wesley Mann, Marcia Clarke, Alison Chernow, and Jude Blundell  5. Fête in the Forest “sprites” Melissa Ullom and Clement Swift with Gloria and Jerry Pinkney
Photos by Margaret Fox

Katonah Museum of Art "Fete in the Forest"
It was a magical evening, but The Katonah Museum of Art’s early May gala, “Fête in the Forest” in honor of outgoing KMA President Vickie Morris and her husband, Steven, presented a thicket of dilemmas for fashionable party-goers. The weather was warm but it still felt early for summer dresses. And what, pray tell, does one wear when the invitation requests “festive attire?”

“I hate it when the invitation says ‘festive attire,’ ” grumbled Sara Schupf. The Weizmann Women & Science Award nominating committee chairwoman and North Salem resident nonetheless finessed the issue in a Missoni wrap dress accessorized with a two-strand necklace of turquoise beads. “I got it online,” she confided. Indeed, the Internet was the go-to source for many women in attendance. Laura Schroeder of Bedford, the gala co-chair, wore a luminous Alexis Bittar pendant and coordinating earrings. Where’d she get them? “Nordstrom’s website,” she said. “I find what I want online and if it doesn’t work out, I return it to the store in The Westchester.”

Not everyone went the online route. Morris, sporting a sharp bob haircut, accessorized her royal-blue dress with a great lucite cuff purchased directly from the artist whose name we weren’t fortunate enough to catch. Publicist Marcia Clark wore a flowy white tunic dress by designer Eryn Brinie that made her look like a forest nymph. Where do forest nymphs shop? At Churchills of Mount Kisco, apparently.

Karen Cohen of New York City wore an embroidered navy blue dress that she’s owned since the ‘60s. Incoming KMA President Rochelle Rosenberg also went with vintage, choosing a gorgeous lace skirt from the ‘40s for the evening. And out of the corner of our eye, we saw a gentleman wearing … a kilt? Well, when the invitation says “festive,” one has to expect a certain degree of creative interpretation.

Fashion confusion aside, the guests, who numbered more than 350 (“It’s sold-out and then some!” Clark told us) were treated to a lavish evening. During the cocktail hour in the museum’s sculpture garden, the attractive and creative crowd, including “Ice Age” director Chris Wedge of Katonah (he was also the “voice”—or at least, the expressive squeaks—of that acorn-obsessed, squirrel-like creature, Scrat) and Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book illustrator Jerry Pinkney accompanied by his wife, Gloria, from Croton-on-Hudson, dined on mini grilled-cheese sandwiches and other comfort-food appetizers. Dancers from the Parsons Dance Company in New York City cavorted in forest sprite costumes.

Inside the dinner tent, which was lit to resemble a leafy canopy of trees, actor Wesley Mann, familiar to Shakespeare afficionados for his regular roles at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, emceed an unusual live auction. Instead of bidding on prizes, guests bid up direct contributions to the museum’s education programs. With two “angel” donors participating from the wings and an anonymous matching donor, the auction netted $100,000—enough to keep the museum “out of the woods,” we trust. The guests dined on a novel tasting menu (so much more pleasant in hot summer weather than full-sized courses!), danced to tunes spun by a DJ, and left with potted herb plants as verdant party favors.

 

New Rochelle Opera


1. John Fraioli, actress Frances Sternhagen, and Chris Fraioli. Photo by Barrie Bonacci   2. Nancy and David Merrill. Photo by Marilyn Monsanto    3. Peg Mayo and Gregory Ortega. Photo by Marilyn Monsanto

New Rochelle Opera 25th Anniversary Party
At another spring party, the New Rochelle Opera celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Fountainhead, honoring Marcello Giordani, tenor extraordinaire. Toasting the Met star, Mayor Noam Bramson pronounced May 6, the day of the gala, “Marcello Giordani Day” in New Rochelle. The gala also honored Marion Merrill who passed away this past year. She and her late husband, the great baritone Robert Merrill, both lived in New Rochelle, a city that many great artists, writers, actors, and performers have called home.

Among the guests were Barbara Meister and David Bender, just back from a trip to Vienna. Barbara looked stunning as usual, in a black chiffon gown and a white camelia brooch by Chanel, not to mention her turquoise and diamond choker from Rome. Also there was Jeanette LaGravinese, of LaGravinese Jewelers of Pelham, who set off an understated Calvin Klein wrap silk dress with a necklace that featured diamonds that increased in size until they met at the center in a 3.5 carat standout.

 

 

 

If you’re interested in having photos of your event printed in The WAG, please contact us.