Last Wednesday night was the New York City Ballet Spring Gala.  Over the years, I’ve posted many entries on the ballet.  Like fashion, it is an art form that truly inspires me.  I’ve been a balletomane and avid supporter of the The New York City Ballet for a long time, so it’s always a pleasure to attend the galas and mingle with fellow enthusiasts.

The David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center

Lisa Maria Falcone, one of the evening’s co-chairs, wore a dazzling pink gown and green emeralds — a festive choice that went well with the evening’s warm spring weather.

With gala co-chair Lisa Maria Falcone

I saw Coco Kopelman, part of my international New York – Paris Chic List. She’s the height of class, always. I realized after looking through these photos that actor Edward Norton is pictured behind us. Other prominent figures in attendance included co-chair Lesley Stahl, Vanessa Williams, dancer Charles Askegard and his wife, writer Candace Bushnell, television reporter Maria Bartiromo, Hamish Bowles, and one of my favorite designers, Ralph Rucci.

Before the event, with Coco Kopelman

Wearing Valentino dress, YSL scarf, Lydia Courteille earrings

As I was heading into the theater, I also ran into Michele Herbert, who I hadn’t seen since her husband Larry Herbert’s Fabulous Palm Beach Birthday. So much energy and always a pleasure.

With Michele Herbert

This year the program featured three performances, including two world premiere choreographies. "Quasi Una Fantasia" is set to the first, third and fourth movements of Quasi Una Fantasia Op. 78 by Polish composer Henryk Górecki.  Principal dancer (and charming Frenchman) Benjamin Millepied choreographed the piece. It’s wonderful to see him expanding his role at the institution — he is such a great talent. 

“Toccata” was the second dance, choreographed by Jirí Bubenicek to music by his brother Otto Bubenicek. I think it’s a bold and exciting move for director Peter Martins to feature new choreographers this season. By showing their work on a gala evening, Peter really demonstrated the company’s commitment to evolve creatively and its embrace of modern dance.

Click here to watch Benjamin discuss his new ballet “Quasi Una Fantasia.” And then watch Jirí explain his new work here. Very insightful, very interesting…

Both ballets were very intense and sometimes brooding.  “Toccata” was especially moving—very lyrical and passionate.  Here’s a snapshot from last Wednesday’s performance:

Robert Fairchild and Georgina Pazcoguin in Jiri Bubenicek’s “Toccata”

“Theme and Variations” was the last dance of the evening, and this classic Balanchine choreography is always a crowd-pleaser. Before the ballet, however, the program featured a short documentary of Marc Happel, head of wardrobe, “recreating the tutu’s splendor.” Like Haute Couture, the costume design here demands an incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship, especially considering the movement of the dancers and the expansive theater size. The video was a great addition to the show, and as the curtain rose on the dancers, the audience let out a collective gasp at their beauty.  Click here to watch the short film Theme and Variations: Recreating a Tutu’s Splendor.

Following the performances were the gala dinner and dance, deejayed by Anne Dexter-Jones’s daughter Samantha Ronson.  I greeted Peter Martins and his wife, dancer Darci Kistler. I caught up with Dr. Oz Garcia, who I admire tremendously, and friends Marie Nugent-Head and Katie von Strasser. Fe Fendi was dancing up a storm all night, looking every bit the fabulous life of the party.  She was also part of my original Chic List, and I always look forward to seeing her at these events.

Peter Martins

With dancer Darci Kistler

With dear friend Oz Garcia

With Marie Nugent-Hall and Fe Fendi

With Katie von Strasser

Before departing, I snapped a photo of dancers Sébastien Marcovici and Janie Taylor who were excellent in “Quasi Una
Fantasia.”

Dancers Sébastien Marcovici and Janie Taylor

Read Susan Tabak at the New York City Ballet 2007 Fall Gala.