On Thursday, April 28, The New York Public Library hosted its 40th annual Library Lunch.
The elegant affair raises money to support the Library’s mission to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen communities.
New York notables, including actress Candice Bergen, American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Isabella Boylston, and The New Yorker’s David Remnick gathered under the iconic glass dome of the Celeste Bartos Forum in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building for lunch and a program.
On Thursday, April 28, the New York Public Library hosted its 40th annual Library Lunch
New York notables, including actress Candice Bergen, ABT ballerina Isabella Boylston and The New Yorker’s David Remnick gathered under the iconic glass dome of the Celeste Bartos Forum in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building for lunch and a program
The elegant affair raises money to support the Library’s mission to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen communities
The New York Public Library President & CEO Tony Marx spoke about The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, one of the Library’s renowned research libraries.
The library houses one of the world’s most extensive research collections in the fields of theatre, film, dance, music, and recorded sound, as well as a wide array of circulating and reference materials, used by scholars, writers, artists and students every day.
The lunch raises critical funds for the world-renowned collections, ensuring that they remain freely available to all.
For many, access to the primary source materials and the great librarians and curators who steward them forever changes their work.
Marx called the branch, “a lifeline for creative community here in New York.”
The New York Public Library President & CEO Tony Marx (left) and Event Co-Chair and Benefactor of the Library for the Performing Arts Barbara Fleischman (right) spoke about the library’s importance
Jennifer Schantz, Executive Director of the Library for the Performing Arts, took the stage sharing more about what the Library for the Performing Arts means to not only the creative community, but New York City as a whole
Jennifer Schantz, Executive Director of the Library for the Performing Arts, then took the stage sharing more about what the Library for the Performing Arts means to not only the creative community, but New York City as a whole.
Event Co-Chair and Benefactor of the Library for the Performing Arts Barbara Fleischman called the Library a ‘unique and special institution.’
She spoke about the Library’s unique assortment of pieces ranging from Rodgers and Hammerstein, to Yo-Yo Ma, and Barbra Streisand.
Tables were dressed in printed tablecloths and decorated with books and lush centerpieces of colorful flowers
Tables were dressed in printed tablecloths and decorated with books and lush centerpieces of colorful flowers.
This year’s lunch was co-chaired by Abigail Baratta, Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos, Barbara G. Fleischman, Louise Grunwald, Zibby Owens, Daisy Prince, David Remnick, Deborah Goodrich Royce and Nanar Yoseloff.
Iconic British luxury brand Asprey, a partner for over 10 years, generously sponsored the event, which has once again been presented with Literary Partner The New Yorker.
Lunch was followed by a captivating discussion focused on the performing arts, titled Back Onstage: Inspiration and Creation
The panel featured Grammy and Tony Award winner André De Shields, Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre Isabella Boylston, and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award Winner Tony Kushner, in conversation with The New Yorker editor David Remnick
Lunch was followed by a captivating discussion focused on the performing arts, titled Back Onstage: Inspiration and Creation, featuring Grammy and Tony Award winner André De Shields, Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre Isabella Boylston, and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award Winner Tony Kushner, in conversation with The New Yorker editor David Remnick.
The speakers opened up about how the pandemic affected each of them as it relates to their creative work with André De Shields noting of Broadway’s shutdown, ‘the world of theater may exist inside those buildings, but my theater exists inside me,’ he said.
Isabella spoke of the very successful Instagram Live dance class series she started to connect with her followers, alongside fellow American Ballet Theatre principal dancer (and her best friend) James Whiteside, while Kushner shared of the film work he kept busy with writing.
The discussion then explored how the pandemic has changed each individuals’ work and ended on a high note with each speaker sharing their interpretation of inspiration and how they get inspired.