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Start with one part fundraiser. Add a celeb-packed guest list. Throw in some live music from Stevie Wonder, food from Thomas Keller and Charlie Palmer, or a silent auction with Louis Vuitton goodies or tennis lesson from Andre Agassi. Season to taste with black ties and cocktails. You’ve just whipped up one of Night+Day’s Best Annual Charity Events, some of the hottest parties on the social calendar.
Best Annual Charity Events in....
Best Annual Charity Events
New York
amfAR New York Gala Location varies, February, 212-806-1600 amfAR.org
The Draw: It’s hard to find a charity event with more star appearances than the annual amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) New York gala, which most recently included Elton John, Meryl Streep, Vanessa Redgrave, Lady Gaga, and amfAR chairman Kenneth Cole. The Scene: A glittering, cocktail-clutching, sold-out crowd descends yearly on a Manhattan hotspot. This year the luxury party was at Cipriani 42nd Street, the music was from Grammy-nominated singer Rufus Wainwright, and guests were invited to participate in a live auction of paintings and Louis Vuitton goodies. Hot Tip: Tickets to amfAR events are pricey—often starting at $1000—but if you volunteer, you may be able to get discounted invites to some events; sign up for the amfAR e-newsletter for updates.
The Draw: Make a difference in the lives of New York youths at this splashy annual gala, which features a live auction to benefit educational programs for children in foster care in New York City. The Scene: A lively banquet is followed by rocking music from cutting-edge performers that gets guests onto their feet and dancing. Plenty of big-name supporters thread through the crowd; most recently, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was the host, Mary J. Blige was honored for her work in empowering young women in education, and co-chair Oscar de la Renta helped helm the festivities. Hot Tip: If your thin wallet makes it hard to afford gala tickets, don’t fret: NYFC also hosts other events during the year that may be more accessible, including a recent partnership with Broadway, offering a special showing of A Steady Rain with Hugh Jackman.
The Party in the Garden Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53 St., June, 212-708-9680 moma.org
The Draw: The annual Spring Gala—called “The Party in the Garden”—offers the chance to sip champagne amid the twinkling lights and modern sculptures of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, followed by a lavish dinner and live music. The Scene: Art-lovers in all their finery clink glasses and peruse modern art amid a who’s-who New York crowd. You may rub shoulders with anyone from Sarah Jessica Parker and Martin Scorsese to David Rockefeller, all of whom have been past honorees. Hot Tip: Tickets sell out quickly, so nab them as early as possible.
