HOUSE OF GUCCI which had it’s London Premiere, stars Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, and Al Pacino – In Theaters This Thanksgiving.
House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family empire behind the Italian fashion house of Gucci. Spanning three decades of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder, we see what a name means, what it’s worth, and how far a family will go for control.
MPTF (Motion Picture and Television Fund), the safety net for workers in the entertainment industry, continued the celebration of its 100th anniversary with an exclusive salon event earlier this week sponsored by City National Bank, Los Angeles Times and UCLA Health. Produced by Paul Vitagliano, the event was hosted by the go-to-guy in the culinary world, Billy Harris, at the home of celebrity chef Nancy Silverton and featured a special music performance by the incomparable Rita Wilson. “When Billy approached me with the idea of a charity dinner at my house for MPTF,” Silverton said, “I was 100% on board.”
The winner of the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Chef Award, Silverton was pivotal in popularizing sourdough and artisan breads in the U.S.; she also authored numerous bestselling cooking books. A popular MC and live performer, Harris has been a popular host of special dinner events for 25 years and during the pandemic has assembled a virtual dinner series touring the country.
“We’re thrilled to build support and awareness for our mission while giving guests an unforgettable evening,” said Courteney Bailey, MPTF’s Chief Development Officer. “Tasting these amazing dishes prepared by Nancy is a special experience, and the intimate, beautiful setting was the perfect place to spread the word about MPTF’s programs and services,” Bailey added.
MPTF embarked on a major fundraising campaign earlier this year, its 100th anniversary, with the goal of sustaining its mission for future generations of the entertainment industry workforce. It is appealing for 100% participation from the community to ensure that its programs and services will remain available to working and retired community members. The organization has been pressured by dramatically increased needs for financial assistance during the industry pandemic shutdown and this year by nursing shortages and ongoing pandemic costs.
Renowned Texas attorney Thomas J. Henry filed a sweeping lawsuit Sunday against rapper Travis Scott as well as Aubrey Drake Graham, Live Nation and NRG Stadium in connection with a tragic event at the Astroworld music festival that left eight people dead, and dozens of others hospitalized.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of one of the victims who reached out to Thomas J. Henry Law following Friday night’s catastrophic event. Thomas J. Henry is actively investigating the failings at Astroworld and is providing immediate consultations to all injured victims as well as to families who had loved ones hurt or killed at the concert.
Reports indicate a crowd surged the stage of the Travis Scott concert when rapper Drake made an unannounced appearance on stage. The surge soon resulted in chaos as concert-goers were pushed into one another and the crowd pressed its way forward. Travis Scott and Drake continued to perform even as emergency vehicles arrived and responders attempted to rescue those in distress.
By the time Live Nation finally decided to end the performance, 23 people required hospitalization, 11 were in cardiac arrest, and more than 300 had to be treated at a “field hospital” on site. So far, eight people have died of their injuries.
“Live musical performances are meant to inspire catharsis, not tragedy,” said Texas attorney Thomas J. Henry. “Many of these concert-goers were looking forward to this event for months, and they deserved a safe environment in which to have fun and enjoy the evening. Instead, their night was one of fear, injury, and death.”
Thomas J. Henry believes a message needs to be sent to performers, venues, and event organizers that a lackadaisical approach to event preparation and attendees’ safety is no longer acceptable.
“There is no excuse for the events that unfolded at NRG stadium on Friday night,” said Thomas J. Henry. “There is every indication that the performers, organizers, and venue were not only aware of the hectic crowd but also that injuries and potential deaths may have occurred. Still, they decided to put profits over their attendees and allowed the deadly show to go on.”
Vinnie Cammarata, along with Lana Madden, attended We Belong Here Presents: MEDUZA, a red-carpet costume Halloween party at the Cipriani Wall. Grammy nominated DJ/Producer Meduza headlined the event which featured 4-hour premium open bar, with a full selection of liquor, wine, beer, soft drinks, and juices; and cuisine by the world-renowned Cipriani chefs serving hors d’oeuvres and a 3-course meal. A portion of proceeds benefited the WBH Scholarship Program at Scratch Academy.
Vinnie Cammarata is the husband of the late Madeline Cammarata, creator of the iconic Chuck’s Vintage store. Vinnie recently opened Chuck’s new flagship store in Manhattan and hosted several parties in celebration of both Madeline and the iconic business’s new location.
Apple Original Films hosted the world premiere of Tom Hanks‘ highly anticipated film “Finch,” debuting in select theaters and on Apple TV+ on Friday, November 5.
Those celebrating “Finch” at the premiere event included Hanks, his co-star Screen Actors Guild Award winner Caleb Landry Jones (“Get Out,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), who recently won best actor at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, as well as producers Kevin Misher, Jack Rapke and Jacqueline Levine of ImageMovers, writer and executive producer Craig Luck, executive producer Jeb Brody of Amblin Entertainment, and more.
Additional guests included: Cassady McClincy, Charlbi Dean, Ian Harding, Katie Cassidy, Kim Raver, Leslie Jones, Matt Bennett, Matthew Lillard, Mark Feuerstein, and Michael Nouri.
In “Finch,” a man, a robot and a dog form an unlikely family in a powerful and moving adventure of one man’s quest to ensure that his beloved canine companion will be cared for after he’s gone.
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) held its annual MAD Ball Thursday, October 21, at its home at 2 Columbus Circle, New York City, celebrating the Museum’s 65th anniversary, honoring architect and interior designer William Sofield of Studio Sofield, and welcoming Tim Rodgers as MAD’s Nanette L. Laitman Director.
Michele Cohen, Board Chair, greeted patrons for what was the first in-house MAD Ball, “We are delighted to have Tim Rodgers, with his long-time passion for art, design, and craft, leading MAD into the future.” Rodgers shared, “I’ve been a huge fan of this institution for many years. I was always delighted with the way they challenged all of us in the arts world to think more broadly and creatively about how it is that we define categories, divide artists, and how we take apart all of the creative efforts of creative people and turn it into something that is more defined, limited and confining. That is not what MAD does. It opens the door and allows all of the creativity to come back in.”
The festivities began with Sofield and Rodgers in conversation in the Theater at MAD. “Since the very beginning [Studio Sofield] worked collaboratively with as many artists and artisans as possible…. Design is a dialogue. It’s not something that happens in the abstract. I’m a little bit of a conductor in that way. My job is to push everybody to do something a little bit better than the task at hand,” said Sofield.
The cocktail hour filled the Museum’s galleries including a Fendi-designed Luminaries Lounge with DJ Timo Weiland; live music by Boyd Meets Girl, and maker activities with Artist Studios residents.
At the dinner at Robert restaurant, the 2021 Burke Prize was awarded to Charisse Pearlina Weston by Russell and Marian Burke and Sofield was presented with an award created by sculptor and installation artist Adam Milner, plus guests were treated to a special musical performance by Machine Dazzle (himself the focus of a solo exhibition at MAD coming in 2022).
The Viennese Opera Ball hosted their Swing Dinner Dance Gala, “The Golden Age” at a private club in Manhattan. Due to the events of the past year, the gala was scaled down from previous years with limited capacity but was a great return of the extravagant affair. The Viennese Opera Ball is a nonprofit association under Section 501(c)(3) and celebrated under the auspices of the US Austrian Chamber of Commerce. The Gala Chair for the evening was philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, and Denise Rich. Each year, it supports charitable projects that are connected to communities in New York or Vienna. The proceeds of the Swing Dinner Dance benefited the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research.
The Gala took place with the support of City of Vienna and the Honorary Gala Chair, Governor & Mayor of Vienna The Honorable Michael Ludwig, Consul General of Austria in New York The Honorable Helene Steinhaeusl, and the Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum New York Michael Haider.
Notable attendees included: President of the Viennese Opera Ball Silvia Frieser, event chair and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, Consul General of Austria in New York The Honorable Helene Steinhaeusl, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum New York Michael Haider, Hubert Heiss, Yoko Nakamura-Haider, Martin Shafiroff, Malan Breton, Scott Stone, Ana Stone, Eve Brookville, Sabine Riglos, Victoria Whipple, Paula Mahoney, Nelli Hantman, Imke Gerdes, Barbara Wennerholm, David Hochberg, Pamela O’Connor, Sonia Nassery Cole, Michele Herbert, Emily Mohr, Cole Rumbough, Sessa Von Richthofen, Richard Johnson.
The black-tie event was a change up to their traditional Opera Ball with the swing dance party theme. The music for the evening was provided by the Misha Piatigorsky Trio, with Misha Piatigorsky on piano, Benny Benack III singing and playing trumpet, Sergei Avanesov on Saxophone, and Singer Kennedy.
There was a silent auction during gala with proceeds also benefiting Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. While some items closed for the night so winners can take home their prize, others are still available to bid on until Monday, November 1, 2021. Visit vob2021.givesmart.com to make a bid and for more information.
Usher, Nelly, and Gabrielle Union are just a few of the famous faces who came out to celebrate at iconic rapper, actor, and California legend, Snoop Dogg’s Player’s Ball themed birthday party the other night where he celebrated with his very own, INDOGGO Gin
The King of Gin N’ Juice and celebrity friends Gabrielle Union & husband Dwayne Wade, Usher, Nelly, Terrence J, T.I., Nas, Fabolous, Jamie Foxx, Wiz Khalifia, OT Genesis, comedian Mike Epps, E-40 and many more, sipped on his INDOGGO® signature cocktails The Laidback, Penthouse Bubbly and Long Beach Lemonade and enjoyed Jon & Vinny’s pizzato ring in the Dogg Father’s 50th birthday. The “Player’s Ball” themed party took place at Snoop Dogg’s personal compound where the birthday man was decked out in true west coast player style in his signature purple aesthetic with a fur hat and oversized glasses and was showered with lavish gifts including two custom cars and customized magnum INDOGGO® bottles with the inscription “Happy C Day Snoop Dogg.”
INDOGGO® Gin is a premium, strawberry flavored gin that brings that laid-back Cali style into every glass.
Co-chairs of the Tri-County Animal Rescue Andrea Stark, Janna Bullock, Jean Shafiroff and Adrien Arpel hosted a luncheon to honor Sir Darius Brown with the Tri-County Rescue’s Young Leadership Award at Stark’s beautiful penthouse. Sir Darius is the founder of Beaux & Paws, where he creates handmade stylish bow ties to help shelter dogs and cats find their forever home.
Midway through the luncheon, Andrea Stark took the floor to thank everyone for attending, before sitting with honoree Sir Darius Brown to begin a Q&A session. During the Q&A, Sir Darius stated, “I realized if people look really great in bow ties why can’t dogs and cats. So, after donating my bow ties to my first animal shelter, the ASPCA in New York, I realized that if dogs stay in shelters for too long, they can be euthanized and that really hurt me because I never knew, and I should have.” He continued, “I felt that I needed to do something to spread awareness and now I have made it my mission to help as many dogs and cats around the world as possible.”
The Q&A ended with Stark presenting Sir Darius with a beautiful London Jewelers watch from President and animal advocate Candy Udell, who could not be in attendance, and the Tri-County Rescue’s Young Leadership Award for his unwavering commitment to helping animals. The presentation ended with Stark inviting guests to attend the upcoming Tri-County Animal Rescue Peppermint Bark & Brunch benefit in Palm Beach on Sunday, November 21, 2021.
The intimate luncheon was attended by 30 guests, who enjoyed passed hors’ d’oeuvres, cocktails and beautiful table spreads filled with fine cheeses, pasta salads and more. Those in attendance included Allison Monaco, Andrea Warshaw-Wernick, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Helene Kaye Kaplan, John Stark, Joy Brown, Kathy Gantz, Liliana Cavendish, Maria Fishel, Pamela Morgan, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Sharon Bush and Wendy Diamond. All guests received beauty gifts to take home from co-chair Adrien Arpel, who could not be in attendance.
For more information about Tri-County Animal Rescue and the upcoming Peppermint Bark & Brunch benefit, please visit: https://tricountyanimalrescue.com/
Inked NYC, a destination tattoo shop for celebrities (including Post Malone, Nick Cannon, 50 Cent, and more) was just recently visited by reality television star, Nick Viall, to celebrate his 41st birthday. Nick received an image of the Archangel Michael on his left forearm and the phrase “Damaged Not Broken” on his right forearm, both done by resident artist Shani Nizan. Nick’s model girlfriend, Natalie Joy, also accompanied him and re
