Scene Last Night: Paulson, Koch, Baryshnikov, Herrera
“There are so many things that ask for people’s attention and support,” Diana DiMenna said last night at the David H. Koch Theater. “It’s our responsibility to make sure this party is great.”
It was. DiMenna presided over the School of American Ballet Winter Ball at Lincoln Center, where the knock-out effect was a reflective gold dance floor. As the students danced, their shadows echoed on the golden ceiling above.
Later, guests took their turn.
The evening had a “Far East” theme, with decor by Ron Wendt featuring umbrellas from India and poppies from Italy. Also helping the cause were Mikhail Baryshnikov, New York City Ballet dancers, many of them alumni of the school, and a display of jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, lead corporate sponsor of the ball for six years.
The event, with choreography by Silas Farley, highlighted the tuition-free program for male dancers at the school, which is affiliated with New York City Ballet.
“More graduates go on to become professional dancers than from any other school,” John Paulson, founder and majority owner of Paulson & Co., said standing next to his wife, Jenny, who wore a ballerina-pink gown. Their daughter is enrolled at the school.
Yellow Diamonds
DiMenna wore yellow diamonds, a gift from her husband, Joe DiMenna of Zweig-DiMenna Associates, and a gown custom-made by Wes Gordon.
“He chose the shape, I chose the color,” she said, adjusting the long train of purple and gold silk embroidered with flowers. Her husband wore a matching bow tie and pocket square.
Carolina Herrera designed the gown of Julia Koch, also a chairwoman. It was gold with pagodas peeking out of lace. Koch’s friend Peter Lyden, chief philanthropy officer at the American Museum of Natural History, wore a turban made out of gold fabric left over from the dress. The three dined at a long table with David H. Koch and Peter Martins, City Ballet’s supremo.
The meal consisted of Peking duck rolls, chicken curry, and pomegranate ice cream. James Dinan, founder of York Capital Management LP, Antoine Schetritt, a fund manager at Cello Capital Management, and real estate developer William Lie Zeckendorf were among the 500 guests.
“It’s one of the most profound organizations,” said New York City Ballet principal Daniel Ulbricht, who came to the school from St. Petersburg, Florida. “All of us come from smaller places, it pushes us to grow.”
(Amanda Gordon is a writer and photographer for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. Any opinions expressed are her own.)
To contact the writer on this story: Amanda Gordon at agordon01@bloomberg.net or on Twitter @amandagordon.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
School of American Ballet
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
John Paulson sits for dinner (peking duck rolls, chicken curry) at a table covered in Indian fabrics and Italian poppies.
John Paulson sits for dinner (peking duck rolls, chicken curry) at a table covered in Indian fabrics and Italian poppies. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
March 12 (Bloomberg) -- Diana DiMenna, co-chairwoman of the School of American Ballet Winter Ball, talks to Bloomberg’s Amanda Gordon about the event held last night at the David H. Koch Theater. The evening had a “Far East” theme, with decor by Ron Wendt featuring umbrellas from India and poppies from Italy. Also helping the cause were Mikhail Baryshnikov, New York City Ballet dancers, many of them alumni of the school, and a display of jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, lead corporate sponsor of the ball for six years. (Source: Bloomberg)
School of American Ballet
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Joe DiMenna of Zweig-Diemmna Associates LLC and Diana DiMenna, a chairman of the School of American Ballet Winter Ball, in a custom-made Wes Gordon gown.
Joe DiMenna of Zweig-Diemmna Associates LLC and Diana DiMenna, a chairman of the School of American Ballet Winter Ball, in a custom-made Wes Gordon gown. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
School of American Ballet
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
David H. Koch, executive vice chairman of Koch Industries, Julia Koch, Alexandra Lebenthal, chief executive officer of Lebenthal & Co., and Jay Diamond, a managing director of Fixed Income Discount Advisory Co.
David H. Koch, executive vice chairman of Koch Industries, Julia Koch, Alexandra Lebenthal, chief executive officer of Lebenthal & Co., and Jay Diamond, a managing director of Fixed Income Discount Advisory Co. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
School of American Ballet
Ron Wendt via Bloomberg
Dancers' reflections echo on the gold ceiling of the David H. Koch Theater at last night's Winter Ball for the School of American Ballet.
Dancers' reflections echo on the gold ceiling of the David H. Koch Theater at last night's Winter Ball for the School of American Ballet. Photographer: Ron Wendt via Bloomberg
School of American Ballet
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Peter Martins, chairman of faculty at the School of American Ballet and ballet master in chief of New York City Ballet, and designer Carolina Herrera.
Peter Martins, chairman of faculty at the School of American Ballet and ballet master in chief of New York City Ballet, and designer Carolina Herrera. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
School of American Ballet
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Silas Farley, apprentice with New York City Ballet and choreographer for the piece performed at the ball, center, with the ball chairmen, from left, Julia Koch, Jenny Paulson, Laura Zeckendorf and Diana DiMenna.
Silas Farley, apprentice with New York City Ballet and choreographer for the piece performed at the ball, center, with the ball chairmen, from left, Julia Koch, Jenny Paulson, Laura Zeckendorf and Diana DiMenna. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
School of American Ballet
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Peter Lyden, chief philanthropy officer of the American Museum of Natural History.
Peter Lyden, chief philanthropy officer of the American Museum of Natural History. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
School of American Ballet
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Antoine Schetritt, fund manager at Cello Capital Management LLC, and Amanda Brotman, handbag designer, holding one of her creations, handmade in Italy.
Antoine Schetritt, fund manager at Cello Capital Management LLC, and Amanda Brotman, handbag designer, holding one of her creations, handmade in Italy. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
School of American Ballet
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Harry Kargman, founder and CEO, Kargo, and Jill Kargman, an author.
Harry Kargman, founder and CEO, Kargo, and Jill Kargman, an author. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
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