June is busting out all over. I love saying that, which is one reason I love the month of June. Father’s Day, graduations, weddings, anniversaries (including mine!), all kinds of good things happen. If you take notice, June is also the month when roses are in bloom, so stop and take time to smell them—that is, if you see any.
Explore Harlem by bus, should you choose, as the Museum of the City of New York kicks off its summer series of programs. Saturday, June 9, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the museum will host the Radical Routes Tour: Harlem’s Women Activists. Led by historian Dominique Jean-Louis, the event will feature a hop-on, hop-off multimedia bus tour, visiting all of the haunts of local visionary heroines, including Ella Baker, Antonia Pantoja and Pearl Primus, all known as “Pioneering women of color who helped make Harlem a world-famous center of social activism, cultural experiment and progressive politics throughout the 20th century.”
Jean-Louis is a doctoral candidate in U.S. history at NYU, where her dissertation explores Caribbean immigration to New York City in the years after the Civil Rights Movement, and examines the impact schools have on the formation of racial identity. She received her B.A. in comparative ethnic studies from Columbia University, and currently is a curatorial project historian on “Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow,” which is an exhibition scheduled to open in the fall of 2018 at the New York Historical Society, located on 79th Street at Central Park West. Needless to say, Jean-Louis is well versed on the historical tales surrounding the street corners, buildings, public places and neighborhood spots where a diverse group of women made history. For more information about the tour and a host of other events that will take place throughout the summer, including a series of old fashion block parties, go to www.mcny.org.
Just to show you it’s not all about you or me, the Bideawee organization celebrated 115 years of leading the cause for animal welfare and pet adoption with, what else, a ball, held at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Guests raised more than $625,000 to help “rescue, care for and place homeless cats and dogs with people who love them,” according to their mission statement. Besides adoptions, Bideawee, which means “stay awhile” in Scottish, provides veterinary care, pet therapy programs and pet memorial parks.
The star-studded event included cocktails, a seated dinner and live and silent auctions featuring items that included an art deco diamond and emerald necklace, a trip for two to Bali and VIP tickets, airfare and hotel to visit “Dancing with the Stars,” and if that’s not enough to entice you, a full-page ad in People magazine featuring the winners with their pet. The evening topped off with dancing, a photo booth and a mobile adoption van, all the accoutrements for a heartwarming affair. Receiving the Flora Kibbe Humane Hero Award was William Berloni, the first animal trainer to be a Tony Award Honoree. Berloni has trained animals for hundreds of off-Broadway shows, regional theaters, touring musicals, television shows and movies. Most recently he was appointed animal director of the new musical, “Because of Winn Dixie.” All the dogs he trains are rescues. Among the attendees were Loretta Swit (remember her, Hot Lips, from “MASH”); Ana Burgos, with her dog Roxi, Shanice Lewis, Devin Hamlet and Eugene Watkin, all with little pooches of their own. Of course, the dogs were invited, many of which were dressed for the occasion. Interested in learning more? Visit www.bideawee.org.
Happy birthday to Mary “Ganny” Robinson and Alvis Rogers, both of whom turned 99. These are two grand dames, ladies of style, class and love, still celebrating life to the fullest. Ganny was given a fabulous soiree hosted by her daughter Jean; granddaughters, Denise and Nina; and grandson, Paris. The party was complete with a full buffet, live DJ with accompanying video, raffle prizes and the cutest little box of Chiclets with Ganny’s picture on the cover, for everyone to take home. Rogers was feted equally as well, with her longtime friend, Elizabeth Rankin-Fulcher. Together they are planning the 100th birthday celebration for 2019. Aren’t we all?
Although I believe I mentioned artist Lorna Simpson was honored at this year’s gala dinner at the Whitney Museum of American Art, did I mention they raised more than $4.5 million? The event, which also marked the third anniversary of the museum’s new location in the Meatpacking District, was adorned as a true work of art. Seating was arranged at long tables, as opposed to several round tables with a seating of 10. Sitting across from one another at a rectangular table gives you a wider view of the guests and is conducive to a broader array of conversations, as opposed to trying to peer over the top of an oversized floral arrangement. The main event was sponsored by Audi, and the after-party was hosted by both Audi and Michael Kors. The only problem there was you can’t fit an Audi into a goody bag. Simpson, who looked stunning in a burnt orange, off the shoulder, knee-length, bell-sleeved caftan-ish dress, with gold high-heeled mules (no strappy sandals), has a permanent collection at the Whitney. Oh to be stylish and talented!
Doing a little preseason philanthropy, New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard and his wife, Victoria’s Secret supermodel Chanel Iman, were joined by Giants teammates to co-host the fourth annual David Tyree Charity Bowl Benefiting Children of the City. Guests mixed and mingled with the Giants while enjoying a cocktail reception and gourmet buffet, along with a live and silent auction. Held at the Lucky Strike Bowling Alley on West 42nd Street, whether guests bowled or not, the event was a good time for all.
If you want to have a good time, too, it’s a perfect time to RSVP for the Tonight We Dance: A Night of Jazz & Swing. Presented by the NYC Parks Department, the evening of dance and live jazz provided by the Harlem Swing Dance Society and Harlem Renaissance Orchestra will take place Saturday, June 16, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Marcus Garvey Park Richard Rodgers Amphitheater. Visit jazz-swing.eventbrite.com to sign up. Admission is free.
Until next week … kisses.