Holiday Double Shifts
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Back-to-back parties are commonplace in this town, but the double shift several women pulled off last weekend was truly impressive. Two benefits pressed elegant women into service – first on Friday night for the New York Botanical Garden, and then on Saturday afternoon, for the New York City Ballet and School of American Ballet’s Nutcracker Family Benefit.
Reached in her office Wednesday, the chief executive of wealth management firm Alexandra and James, Alexandra Lebenthal, said, “Normally, Friday is all about being home, ordering sushi with the kids. But this in an unusual weekend, with events for two New York institutions I have loved since I was a little girl.” Ms. Lebenthal was a chairwoman of the garden’s ball and a Dew Drop Benefactor of the Nutcracker benefit.
By night, the women shimmied on the dance floor surrounded by acres of trees and sleeping rose beds. The next day, they helped their children secure autographs from the dancers in “The Nutcracker.” Saturday’s event was glamorous, too, with dancers clad in velvet costumes, and a guest list including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Seinfeld, Tracy Pollan, and Christy Turlington.
“It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season, having those events side by side,” a committee member for both events, Gillian Miniter, said. “Still, Saturday night, we were all in bed by 9 o’clock.”
agordon@nysun.com
