The American Ballet Theatre’s Golden Circle — a membership group for donors of $1,000 to $1,499 — held its annual luncheon at The Plaza on June 21. On a warm day, a light meal was in order except for the decadent chocolate dessert.
Clockwise from top left: The Plaza's Executive Chef Jack Kiggins; the appetizer: White and Green Lattice Asparagus Salad with Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Micro Mizuna, and Truffle Vinaigrette; the main course: Herb Seared Chicken Breast with Spring Leek and Goat Cheese Tart and a Salad of Frisee, Golden Raisins, and Walnuts; and dessert, a Chocolate Cake with Cherries and Lemon Mousse.
The honoree was an American Ballet Theatre board member since 1986, Joan Ades. Ms. Ades has a passion for educating people about dance. She underwrote the production of a book on the history of dance, with an emphasis on ABT. She has introduced countless patrons to the life of ABT behind the scenes, giving them privileged glimpses into how ballets are made, with trips backstage and introductions to the dancers.
Alan Ades with his wife, Joan Ades, ABT board member and event honoree; mother and daughter Allison Libhart and Laureine Greenbaum (who founded the New York non-profit book drive Project Cicero); ABT's executive director, Rachel Moore, Joseph Grant, Sheila Grant, and Ina Sorens Clark.
“I love this company deeply,” Ms. Ades said at the podium. “It gets me into a lot of trouble, but it’s exciting.”
"This honor is more than fun,” Ms. Ades continued. “It’s about being responsible. Being responsible has to do with consistent care. So why don’t you join me and get more involved?”
That call was heard by a range of balletomanes in the room, from grade schooler Nichelle Smith, who said she likes to see the dancers twirl, to Andrew Chen, a Lieutenant Commander with the U.S. Public Health Service, who said he has loved ABT ever since he was a boy who got to see Susan Jaffe — now ABT’s Ballet Mistress — in “Swan Lake.”
Guests didn’t have too much time for memories. Buses were waiting outside to zip everyone to the Met Opera house for a special performance.
Clockwise from far left, girls: sisters Nichelle Smith and Sydnee Smith; Rachel Haddock and ABT board member Ruth Newman; ABT dancer Elizabeth Mertz; ABT board member Anka Palitz and Patricia Shiah; April Shen, ABT II dancers Katie Boren and Skylar Brandt, Irene Shen (vice chair of the ABT Chairman’s Council), and Ronnie Rothenhaus; Xiomara Reyes, an ABT principal dancer, with her husband, Rinat Imaev.
Photo credit: Amanda Gordon
Amanda Gordon, best known as the New York Sun's society columnist, is a freelance writer and photographer. CPS Events at The Plaza hired Amanda to chronicle events at The Plaza. She can be reached at amanda.gordon@rocketmail.com.