White Box hosts Mtree Charity Auction

White Box NYC is hosting a show of work resulting from the Mtree "Brush with Hope" project in Benin, with the opening on Friday, November 4th from 6pm-8pm. The following day, Saturday, November 5th, there will be a silent auction starting at 7pm which will go to benefit the community in Benin.

This special exhibit and auction stems from the project "Brush with Hope," a summer program hosted by Mtree where artists and designers from New York City and Paris gather in Africa to offer art classes to African children. The first set of classes took place in Benin, West Africa and 300 Beninese children participated from July 29, 2011 to August 12, 2011. To children who barely had one meal a day, art instruction was a new experience. The instructors wished to instill hope in these children. The inner thoughts and feelings of the children were expressed through 2,800 paintings and drawings, which were brought to New York City. A selection of approximately 300 works will be exhibited for the event and all auction proceeds will go to fund a water pump in Benin.

The exhibition will consist of paintings and drawings on canvas or on paper, in color or monochrome. The artwork will be divided into six different categories: self-portraits, portraits of family, portraits of friends, collaborative works, works inspired by music, and "hope".

Mtree
Mtree is an international non-profit charity organization aiming to change the developing and developed countries into a better place ("change for all") by promoting networking and supporting young adults who are pursuing visions around the world.

While serving as an officer in the Republic of Korea Army for four years, Yohan Choi (Founder of Mtree) spent two years near the North Korean border and witnessed the hardships that North Koreans were facing. Through this experience, he became interested in developing countries. Since his discharge in 2009, he has traveled around the globe networking with young professionals in the US and in Europe and has fostered an interest in economic independence and development through running the Global Entrepreneurship Training (GET) program in Kenya and Ghana sponsored by UNESCO.

Commonwealth Propper hosts Cocktails for a Cause

At Commonwealth Propper they Hate Cancer and Love Moustaches, so they have dedicated the month of November to supporting Movember, a moustache growing charity event held each year that raises funds and awareness for cancer, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. Therefore for the month of November 10% of Commonwealth Propper sales will be donated to the charity. Help them kickoff this month of giving back by heading down to 1732 Spruce Street and having come cocktails from Art in the Age for their monthly happy hour. Great clothes and a great cause, what else does a gentleman need - great cocktails, of course, but they will have that too!

Young Patrons of Lincoln Center - Party on the Plaza

The Young Patrons of Lincoln Center are throwing a big party on September 26th and you know you won't want to miss it. While you are at it, pick up over a 100$ savings by getting your ticket and membership at the same time... that is if you aren't already a young patron. The event will include hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and an incredible fountain show. As summer comes to a close, who could resist one more excellent outdoor event.

Young Patrons of Lincoln Center (YPLC) is a membership group for arts enthusiasts in their 20s through early 40s dedicated to celebrating and supporting the world’s leading performing arts center. Through special events, arts advocacy, community outreach, and annual contributions, YPLC members build future audiences at Lincoln Center and increase access to the arts for a diverse range of New Yorkers.

David Peck Collection - Now Available Everywhere

David Peck's CrOp (Creative Opportunities) line is now available for sale online. Each CrOp collection is a collaboration of artists in an effort to generate art and opportunities. CrOp is a clothing line with a greater purpose - 10% of the profits from every collection go back to the cause affiliated with the season's inspiration. So do some good and buy yourself a new dress!

Project Lipstick Sunset Soiree

Clothes may make the man, but every lady knows a great outfit is never done without equally fabulous hair and makeup. Project Lipstick is an organization that understands the importance that this final touch has for the confidence of any woman, be she a supermodel or a mom trying to make a place in the world for her and her children. We have been fans and supporters of Project Lipstick since its founding by Breanna Marie Sage and hope that you will consider supporting this Sunset Soiree at Hudson Terrace. If you can't make it up to New York but want to help the cause, contact Project Lipstick directly and see how you can help their ever growing mission!

About Project Lipstick:
Founded in 2007, Project Lipstick, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides total mind and body make-overs for residents of women's shelters to assist in self-esteem development and career placement in conjunction with collecting and distributing beauty products.

A message about the Sunset Soiree:
Hundreds of thousands of women and their children across the country are currently homeless living in shelters. According to New York's Voices of Women, most of these women and their children are fleeing traumatic situations such as domestic violence. These women are left feeling helpless and hungry for a way to get back on their feet. Project Lipstick's mission is to aid in the transformation of these women's lives by providing the necessary tools to enter the work force, bringing the confidence that comes from feeling and looking good, and simply reminding them that there are people who care. The Sunset Soiree will benefit the continuation and growth of Project Lipstick's goals, helping us to reach more women with hopes and dreams.

To find out more go to: http://www.projectlipstick.org/



And check back for photos of the fabulous event!

SSMAC 2nd Annual Ketucky Derby Champagne Brunch

Hats and Horsies, what better way to spend a Saturday morning. The Junior Committee of the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard, and Airemen's Club, headed by Rachel Kirwin and John Vricella, couldn't agree more. From a bottomless champagne brunch at Harry's, 1 Hanover Square, to the races watched live at the 283 Lexington Ave Clubhouse, this was an excellent day. Friends gathered in their preppy finest, with hats donned by the gentlemen as well as the ladies. After a three course brunch and plenty of champagne a huge crowd migrated uptown and gathered 'round to root on their favorite horses. After two years of successful brunches, we hope that this is a tradition that will continue for a while longer.

For more information on the SSMAC check out their website at http://www.ssmaclub.org/ or head to their next event - The SSMAC Fleet Week Happy Hour on May 26th at Hurley's!

Project Lipstick Product Drive

Washington Style Reporter's Bob Bland and Style Magnate's Ian Bone help support the Project Lipstick Product Drive at the Lia Schorr Day Spa. The event is the first big push from the new and exciting charity lead by Breanna Marie Sage. We expect to see many exciting things from this young do-gooder as she reaches out to help women gain the confidence and self esteem to restart their lives - conducting makeup and career clinics in womens shelters in and around NYC.

Find out more about Project Lipstick at http://www.projectlipstick.org/

Champagne Brunch to benefit The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club

Minnette Boesel, Ian Bone, Lauren Driscoll, Alexander Korallus-Shapiro, Anne Moody, Brooke Stoddard, Asha Talwar, and Sofia Vassilakis hosted a Champagne Brunch in the Olympic Suites of the New York Athletic Club to benefit The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club. Erin and her Cello performed during a VIP reception and Kim Cameron and Side FX performed during the main brunch. Prince Rudolf Knaise-Melikoff met up with new friends Rachel Kirwin, Asha Talwar, and Eamon Wood whom he met at the Frick Ball days before. Axel Ditlev-Simonsen and host Sofia Vassilakis, both from European shipping families, introduced many guests to the group of Young Shipping Professionals in attendance. Recent debutantes making their way across the social scene after coming out at the Crillon Ball, International Debutante Ball, and Viennese Opera Ball (among others) included Anne Moody, Elizabeth Brown, and Alex Kolasinski. Admiral Craig Bone, father of host Ian Bone, added some top brass to the military-focused charity event. Guests also enjoyed Nat Sherman cigars – some taking their gift bags early and enjoying a mid-brunch smoking break with a view from one of the NYAC balconies. The brunch ended with the attendees donning sunglasses from their gift bags to brave the all-too-bright 3:00 sunlight after several hours of Champagne and Bloody Marys.

The 52nd Annual Bal Polonaise

The 52nd Annual Bal Polonaise benefiting the Polish Assistance was held in the ballroom of the Plaza Hotel again this year. The dancing ticket for this event is usually a favorite of the younger crowd coming off of either the Viennese Opera Ball or the Quadrille Ball. However, this year was significantly scaled back – one of the first major events to be noticeably affected by the current economic environment. Given the lower attendance and shorter hours, the event was still in many ways a great success. Those who did attend found themselves treated to an open bar (last year the dancing ticket featured a cash bar) and a dance floor with room to show off some moves. Elizabeth Brown and I even had the whole floor toward the end of the evening for an exhibition of our Viennese Waltz. Many debutantes from the International Debutante Ball re-convened for this evening with Elizabeth Brown, Anne Moody, Patricia Poekel, Abigail Tufts (all 2008) and Breanna Sage (2006) in attendance. The evening continued onwards as many of us piled into an impromptu limo ride over to PJ Clarkes and then on to Nikki Beach Midtown for the after-parties. An upcoming Champagne Brunch at the New York Athletic Club was the talk of the evening, with many guests planning to attend. Look for coverage of that event coming soon.