“GODMOTHER OF SOUL” KICKS OFF KRAVIS CENTER GALA WITH STELLAR PERFORMANCE
Patti LaBelle sets the tone for sold-out benefit in support of the arts
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) On Wednesday February 3, Grammy award winning solo artist Patti LaBelle was the highlight of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ annual Gala with a soulful performance in Dreyfoos Hall. More than 400 Gala guests were treated to a Red Carpet Cocktail Reception in the Shapiro Founders’ Room prior to the performance with a spectacular dinner dance following the performance in the Gimelstob Ballroom, located in the Cohen Pavilion. Some guests had already gotten a jump on the dancing, however, when they volunteered to be on stage during LaBelle’s performance of “Lady Marmalade.” The annual benefit was Chaired by mother-daughter duo Dorothy Kohl and Lori Gendelman. Monika Preston and Kathryn Vecellio served as Honorary Gala Chairs.
LaBelle’s effortless ability to belt out rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets has fueled her popularity for more than 50 years. LaBelle was a natural fit for the benefit, which has the much-deserved reputation as being one of the most enjoyable events of the social season.
“Didn’t Patti LaBelle set the tone nicely for our annual Gala?” began Jane Mitchell, Board Chair of the Kravis Center. “The Kravis Center is a place for people to come together to enjoy and support the performing arts. Perhaps the prime indication of our success is this sensational sold-out Gala evening, which is a great tribute to our Gala Chairs, Honorary Gala Chairs and their committee.
“Since the Kravis Center opened in 1992, we have welcomed more than eight million people through its doors. Our ability to attract large and diverse audiences is well documented by the industry magazine, Pollstar, which tracks worldwide ticket sales. Pollstar recently reported 2015 year-end figures for the number of tickets sold at the top 200 theatres around the world, some of which are as large as 10,000 seats. Our Dreyfoos Hall has 2,195 seats, yet it consistently ranks near the top of the impressive list. For year-end 2015, Dreyfoos Hall ranked 14th in the world, 8th in the nation, and – I ‘m very pleased to report – FIRST in Florida.
“With that, I would like to recognize and congratulate Kravis Center CEO, Judy Mitchell, on her recent anniversary of celebrating 26 years of service with the Kravis Center. In addition, I would like to acknowledge founding Board Chair, Alexander Dreyfoos, who recently gave the Center a donation of $5 million. Of that gift, $1.5 million has been allocated to the design of a custom Marshall & Ogletree digital organ, the first of its kind to be installed in a performing arts center worldwide. The instrument will debut on March 9 with a performance by world-renowned organist, Cameron Carpenter,” she concluded.
Ms. Mitchell then introduced Gala Chairs Dorothy Kohl and Lori Gendelman, noting that Dorothy and her husband Sidney are long-standing supporters of the Kravis Center. Dorothy was a member of the original Building Advisory Committee, and Sidney is a Board member. She then noted that Lori is a member of the Education Committee, and she and her husband, Bruce, have been loyal supporters.
“The Kravis Center has truly changed the cultural climate of Palm Beach County,” began Dorothy Kohl. “In 1986, my husband Sidney and I joined other enthusiasts of the performing arts to support the building of this magnificent Center. Thirty years ago we knew the world’s finest performers deserved to be heard in a house truly worthy of their talents. Today this outstanding cultural and educational facility is a source of tremendous pride for residents and visitors to Palm Beach County.”
“It is because of your generous support,” continued Lori Gendelman, “that the Kravis Center continues to flourish in our community.”
She then acknowledged Gala Honorary Chairs Monika Preston and Kathryn Vecellio, for their hard work on the elegant Gala celebration, along with the Gala sponsors. Gala sponsors included Dr. Nettie Birnbach, The Breakers Palm Beach, Alex and Renate Dreyfoos, The Alec and Miriam Flamm Charitable Fund, Lori and Bruce Gendelman, Diane and Bruce Halle, Harless & Associates, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Henni and John Kessler, Dorothy and Sidney Kohl, Ingrid and David Kosowsky, Sondra and David S. Mack, Jocelyn and Robin Martin, Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund, Jane M. Mitchell, Neiman Marcus Palm Beach, Monika and John Preston, SBA Communications Corporation, Laurie Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein, Carolyn and Richard Sloane, Susan and Dom Telesco, Kathryn and Leo Vecellio and Lois Silverman Yashar and Dr. James Yashar. Tiffany & Co. provided special support. Committee members were Eileen Berman, Michael J. Bracci, Robert L. Fromer, Irene Karp, John H. Kessler, David S. Mack, Ted Mandes, William A. Meyer, Jane M. Mitchell, Laurie S. Silvers, Jeffrey A, Stoops and Dom A. Telesco.
“Before we continue with tonight’s festivities,” Dorothy Kohl said in closing. “Let me share some exciting news. Next season the Kravis Center will celebrate its 25th Anniversary. We look forward to celebrating the occasion with a most memorable Gala on February 11, 2017. We encourage you to save the date!”
Treated to world-class service and enviable cuisine by Catering by The Breakers, the evening’s dinner gave Gala goers something to dance about. The first act began with chilled Maine lobster salad ‘Gribiche’ and blini with caviar. The next act was a duo of Creekstone Farms prime sliced NY strip steak Diane and Wagyu beef short rib mignon. The performance grand-finale included a decadent ice cream sundae – a hit, as each guest created their own unique spin on the dessert.
Centrally located in West Palm Beach, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a renowned national and international reputation. Established as a leading force in the social fabric of the community, its many outreach programs are as broad and varied as the community itself. To date, the Center has opened the door to the performing arts for approximately 2 million school children.
Ticket sales and rental revenue alone do not cover the cost of operating a not-for-profit facility like the Kravis Center. It is only through generous contributions and benefit events like the Gala that the Kravis Center continues to succeed in making the best of performing arts available to the entire community.
For general information about the Kravis Center’s performances, please visit the Center’s official website at kravis.org or call the box office at 561-832-7469 (561-832-SHOW). For information about the Kravis Center’s special events, contact the Development Office at (561) 651-4320.