The Most Memorable Parties Of 2024

Who doesn’t love being invited to a party? Rural Intelligence is no different, especially because it gives us a chance to meet old friends and introduce ourselves to new readers. Above all, it allows us to put the spotlight on the nonprofits and other organizations that make our region a better place to live — and the supporters themselves who make that possible. As we do every year, we present a handful of the gatherings we covered that left a lasting impression, whether it was for the creativity, the entertainment, or the food.

Dewey Hall put on the first bash of the year, its Celestial Ball held on the final night of the Reaching for the Stars annual fundraising campaign. Stars and moons decorated the space and guests showed up in their best sequins and sparkles. The funds raised help Dewey Hall continue to serve as a community space that engages people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon’s expanded and renovated building is a looker, but (sorry), it can’t compete with the spectacular view at its annual summer gala, held at a hilltop home in Sharon. A large group of supporters participated in both silent and live auction items, dedicated to expanding the library’s children’s programming and events such as chess, family movie nights, a silent film fest and more.

The Sylvia Center farm dinner at Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook is a gala Rural Intellience has covered since 2012, and it’s frequently been on our most memorable list. The hors d’oeuvres and dinner, much of it created with produce from the farm, was prepared and served under a tent by Great Performances (owned by The Sylvia Center’s and farm’s Liz Neumark). The Sylvia Center’s garden-to-table program, which teaches kids what fresh food is, how it’s grown, and how they can use it to create healthy meals, has grown 80 percent upstate, and will continue to serve students from the Capitol District, thanks to the generosity of its supporters.

The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year celebration honored Liana Toscanini, the founder and director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. Toscanini is beloved by the nonprofit community, but just about anyone who has been active in any organization in the Berkshires has been touched by her friendship, encouragement, and genial personality. She’s also been a friend and advocate for Rural Intelligence since Day 1 of publication. Thank you, Liana!

Berkshire HorseWorks called together its human herd of supporters to celebrate its 10th anniversary at Home Farm in Lenox. A decade ago, founder Hayley Sumner manifested her vision and mission to transform lives through powerful interaction with horses. Guests wore their best western wear as they enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a paddle auction and a concert by The Opera Cowgirls.

Art Omi held its Upstate Benefit at The Caboose in Hudson, where more than 200 Art Omi supporters wandered through The Caboose’s “secret garden” enjoying cocktails and bites of fried quail. The event’s honorees were Elena Mosley, founder and executive director of Operation Unite NY, and artist Tschabalala Self. Dinner in the main hall was set with long table for a family-style feast from Kitty’s, and a live auction raised over $80,000 for the arts center in Ghent.

Ancram Center for the Arts showed supporters where its fundraising goes at its gala, “Centuries Plus: A Celebration in Two Acts, 2024.” Act One: a performance of “Centuries,” a spectacular concert production of a musical originally workshopped at the Center for the Arts. Act Two: An after-party at The Barn@Doodletown, with food catered by Chef Hannah Wong. Funds raised will support the Center’s annual season of contemporary performances like “Centuries” and the development of innovative new work by visionary theater makers.

RI’s final party of the year was Bantam Cinema & Arts Center’s third anniversary celebration of the theater’s incarnation as a community-supported cinema and arts center. Guests convened at the Washington Club Hall in Washington, Connecticut for an evening of entertainment, cocktails, canapes, and the launch of the new “sizzle” real about the cinema. MOMIX, the  Washington, Connecticut-based, internationally known company of dancer-illusionists, performed a set of wildly inventive, prop-heavy pieces from their repertoire, a total wow.