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Rev
UP the Engines!
A tantalizing blend of star power and horsepower,
the New York International Auto Show’s Gala Preview
shines its headlights on a great cause. |
By
Romy de Courtay |
| This
Limited Edition Maserati Gran Sport will be auctioned
off at the 2005 Gala Preview. |
Marco Mattiacci, VP of marketing at Ferrari Maserati
North America, and Frederique van der Wahl. |
Amanda Hearst at the 2004 Gala Preview. |
Jerry Seinfeld. |
The 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge. |
Sotheby’s auctioneer Jamie Niven with Blaine and
Robert Trump. |
Amy Fine Collins, Jill Kargman and East Side House Settlement
president Joan Young. |
Fe Fendi and Tiki Barber. |
 |
| Romy
de Courtay is a freelance writer based in New York and
Athens whose articles on fashion, design, travel and
business have appeared in publications on both sides
of the Atlantic, including Town & Country,
Elle Décor, Elite Traveler, This Old House
and Odyssey. |
Once
a year, men involved with ladies active on the charity circuit
have something to look forward to: an evening of heightened
senses, raised expectations and, perhaps, fulfilled fantasies.
No, it’s not the Victoria’s Secret fashion show
(although we admit it might have the same effect). It’s
the Gala Preview of the New York International Auto Show benefiting
East Side House Settlement.
Sponsored by Gruppo Ferrari Maserati, the Gala Preview brings
together glitterati, cognoscenti and celebrities united in
their love of high-octane engines and their support of a worthy
cause. The pulchritudinous supermodel Frederique van der Wahl
is enough to set any man’s pulse racing, but stand her
next to a gleaming Maserati Quattroporte (auctioned off at
last year’s Gala Preview for $170,000) and you begin
to grasp the evening’s appeal. The no-less beauteous
Blaine Trump testing the latest Ferrari model, Jerry Seinfeld
enjoying a private tour and hulking New York Giants Tiki Barber
and Michael Strahan rubbing shoulders with luminaries such
as Somers and Jonathan Farkas, Amy Fine Collins and Fe and
Alessandro Fendi are but a sampling of the tantalizing blend
of star power and horsepower on display all evening.
“We want the dinner to be a good social and business
networking event,” states East Side House president
Joan P. Young, who heads a company that invests in and markets
hedge funds among wealthy families and endowments. “Gruppo
Ferrari Maserati have been terrific partners for the past
three years. The style and level at which they do everything
make them an ideal partner for our charity. Knowing that they
are involved makes the party even more appealing to people.”
Slated for March 23 at the Crystal Pavilion at the Jacob Javits
Center, the 2005 Gala Preview should be no exception, drawing
once again attractive members of the younger social set such
as Amanda Hearst and Luigi Tadini, Blair and Fazle Husain,
and Jill and Harry Kargman spearheaded by benefit committee
co-chairs Eleanor Lembo and Jon Ylvisaker.
Not to be outdone, the event’s target audience of Wall
Street hedge fund and private equity mavens – the two
other Gala Preview chairs, Michael Moreno and Phil Yang, also
hail from the financial world – will no doubt come out
in full force to enjoy a private preview of the auto show,
an exclusive cocktail gala for the Benefit Committee, a separate
dinner for 600 to 650 sponsors and benefactors, an exhibition
of vintage Ferrari cars from road and track, and live aerial
performances from AntiGravity. All the while they’ll
be sampling themed cocktails from prestigious New York caterer
Abigail Kirsch, such as the Prancing Horse, the Enzo Fizz,
the Italian Stallion and High-Octane Kool-Aid shots poured
from stainless-steel oil cans by “pit girls” dressed
in red mechanic jumpsuits.
“What we have created is a living timeline – the
centerpiece of which is a display of six to eight priceless
racing cars that are actually started on-site – a thrill
that can only be understood through the experience,”
says a Ferrari spokesperson. Indeed, a lucky few previously
selected patrons and benefactors have the opportunity to participate
in the starting exhibition, a testosterone- and decibel-charged
moment that might just prove the highlight of the evening.
Established in 1891, East Side House Settlement is a social
services agency benefiting those in need in the Mott Haven
section of the South Bronx (the poorest congressional district
in the United States) who have the will and desire to build
a better life for themselves and their families. “We
give them tools to pursue their dreams – supplements
to the school system, college scholarships, college-prep high
schools and technology training essential in the work world
today,” states Young, who joined the board (which includes
Mario Buatta, Arie Kopelman and Nathalie Gerschel Kaplan)
in 1995. “The Auto Show Gala Preview is a big contributor
to these programs.”
The event has been profitable from its inception, netting
an impressive $650,000 after expenses in 2004, with a projected
net profit of one million dollars in 2005 or 2006. An expanded
live auction under the gavel of Sotheby’s auctioneer
Jamie Niven should help achieve this goal thanks to the inclusion
of super-deluxe items in addition to a Limited Edition Maserati
Gran Sport. Having committed a considerable chunk of disposable
income to luxuries, attendees will have the opportunity to
assuage any lurking feelings of guilt by bidding on scholarships
and resources for East Side House Settlement.
Every year, on the stroke of 11 pm, security guards gird their
loins for the inevitable moment when they have to ease out
the die-hards. No wonder: “You come to a great party
– maybe the only one your husband or date will be asking
to go to! – and help less fortunate people who need
and deserve our support,” explains Young. “Hot
cars, great deejay, great food, people-watching. It stands
out!”
.New
York International
.Automobile Show |
|
For ten days out of the year, the 845,000 square
feet of the Jacob Javits Center await 1.2 million
automobile lovers from near and far who behold
the present and glimpse the future of an ever-evolving
industry showcasing models, from an easy $15,000
to a cool half-million, by 43 manufacturers
from the humble Kia to the proud Ferrari.
They can look forward to the North American
debut of the four-door version of the Bentley
Continental GT, admire the production version
of Mercedes-Benz’s popular M-Class sport utility
vehicle, and picture themselves pushing the
pedal to the metal on BMW’s super-performing
M5 series. A privileged few armed with exclusive
invitations will penetrate Mercedes-Benz’s hallowed
Maybach sanctuary behind smoked glass panels,
where an interactive video display will help
them personalize the Maybach 57 and 62 (now
available with a business package featuring
Bluetooth technology) to their own discerning
specifications.
(To gain access to this and other special events
and opportunities, interested buyers should
contact their preferred automobile dealer.)
Show Details
Dates: Friday, March 25, through Sunday,
April 3; 11 am - 10:30 pm (Sundays, 10 am –
7 pm) Location: Jacob Javits Center, NYC Tickets:
$12, adults; $4, children 12 and younger Contact:
800.282.3336; www.autoshowny.com |
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