Not Just Horsing Around: Equine Advocates' 21st Annual Gala Features Performance By Ailey II
A VIP cocktail party at the sanctuary preceded a live auction and performance at PS21 in Chatham, New York.
Board President Jeffrey Tucker with Ronny Siegal and Anna Gassib, executive director of the Bergen Equestrian Center
Equine Advocates’ 21st annual gala kicked off with a cocktail party on Sunday, Sept. 18 at its 140-acre horse sanctuary in Valatie (Chatham), New York. Guests enjoyed cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres from the plant-based caterer MeadowLark, based in Troy. There was plenty of time to meet and mingle with some of the site’s horses, donkeys, ponies, mules and goats before guests headed off to PS21 to enjoy the second part of the evening.
Emcee Harvey Granat welcomed guests to PS21’s open-air theater, and Dolores Meissner led a live auction of items that included dinner with Ruth Reichl and a stay in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Equine Advocates Founder and President Susan Wagner interviewed the artistic director of Ailey II, Francesca Harper, on stage, and guests learned a bit more about company founder Alvin Ailey and the three pieces they would see that evening: “The Hunt,” “Cry,” and “Revelations.” Proceeds from the fundraiser go toward the care of the 81 animals who live at the non-profit sanctuary, as well as for other equines in need of rescue from neglect, abuse or slaughter.
Harvey Granat welcomes the gala crowd to PS21
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
