EURweb

AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: American Ballet Theatre

By Audrey J. Bernard, Fashion/Lifestyles/Society Editor

(June 4, 2009)

President Barack Obama And Mrs. Michelle Obama Serve As Honorary Chairmen Of American Ballet Theatre’s 2009 Spring Gala At The Metropolitan Opera House

*President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama served as Honorary Chairmen of the American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) 2009 Spring Gala on Monday evening, May 18, 2009 at the Metropolitan Opera House. The President sent his prettier half to represent them.

Mrs. Obama, who has become an iconic fashion plate, looked stunning in Azzedine Alaia’s gunmetal cocktail dress replete with a crinoline-lined hemline as she was greeted by VIPs including Rachel S. Moore, ABT’s executive director.

This was the first visit for Mrs. Obama to ABT and she spoke compassionately about the value of the arts and arts education drawing hearty applause when she addressed the commitment of this administration to the arts.

“It is with honor and great pleasure that we welcome Michelle Obama to American Ballet Theatre’s Opening Night Gala celebration,” said ABT’s artistic director Kevin McKenzie. “This administration’s commitment to the arts and, in particular, arts education, is music to our ears. The combination of seasoned artists and young talent on our stage is a true testament to the importance of that ongoing commitment.”

ABT’s Opening Night Gala kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with a regal reception in which seeing Mrs. Obama was the topic of discussion with this crème de la crème artsy crowd that anteed up as much as $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500 for the performance and post-performance gala dinner under the posh Tent at Lincoln Center.

The program featured ABT’s principal dancers in highlights from the Company’s eight-week season, a special guest appearance by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and a performance by the students of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.

In honor of the farewell season of principal dancer Nina Ananiashvili, ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky created a pièce d’occasion, set to the waltz from Aram Khachaturian's Masquerade Suite, and performed by Ms. Ananiashvili.

Carolina Herrera, Caroline Kennedy, Blaine Trump and Renée Zellweger served as Honorary Chairmen along with the Obamas. Aileen Mehle is Chairman Emerita and Karin and Stephen Sadove served as Corporate Co-Chairmen.

Henri Barguirdjian, Anne Grauso, Ashley McDermott, Florence Low Sloan and Caryn Zucker served as Gala Co-Chairmen and Danielle Ganek and Ivanka Trump served as Vice Chairmen of the evening.

American Ballet Theatre’s 2009 Spring Gala was sponsored by Graff and Carolina Herrera, Ltd. Superfund Asset Management, Inc. is the sponsor of the 2009 Metropolitan Opera House season. A portion of the proceeds from the Spring Gala will support ABT’s education and community outreach programs. (Photos by Mary Hilliard)