HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR 23RD BIRTHDAY GALA

The New York Pops 23rd Birthday Gala was an evening to celebrate! Entitled 88 Keys for Skitch – A Celebration of the Piano, the May 8, 2006 gala honored Ahmet M. Ertegun, Founding Chairman of Atlantic Records. The Carnegie Hall concert was conducted by Marvin Hamlisch and hosted by Elaine Stritch. Roc-A-Fella records co-founder Damon Dash was saluted for his contributions to New York City youth. Performers included special guest Liza Minnelli, Broadway’s Jersey Boys, Chu-Fang Huang, Kid Rock, Bob Lappin, Darlene Love, Paolo Nutini, and George Wein. The post-concert dinner dance was attended by 400 guests at the New York Athletic Club. The annual gala raises funds for the orchestra and its free education programs and summer concerts.

Gala Honoree Ahmet Ertegun, Founding Chairman of Atlantic Records with wife Mica. Photo: Rob Rich	Atlantic Records recording artist Paolo Nutini with Ahmet Ertegun and fellow Atlantic artist Kid Rock. Photo: Rob Rich
Gala Co-Chairs Donna and Richard Soloway. Photo: Rob Rich	Kid Rock, host Elaine Stritch, and conductor Marvin Hamlisch. Photo: Rob Rich
Broadway’s Jersey Boys with Damon Dash and Rachel Roy. Photo: Rob Rich	David Schiff, Damon Dash, New York Pops Board President Ruth Henderson, Lisa Schiff, Catherine Forbes, Bob and Pat Schieffer Photo: Rob Rich
Liza Minnelli opened the concert at Carnegie Hall performing, “I Love a Piano” with Marvin Hamlisch at the piano. Photo: Rob Rich	Star of stage and screen Darlene Love. Darlene also performed with The New York Pops for the Macy’s 4th of July broadcast on NBC this summer. Photo: Rob Rich
Paolo Nutini and Young Friends of The New York Pops Chair, Catherine I. Forbes Photo: Rob Rich	Ann Barish and Kelly Bensimon Photo: Rob Rich
Donna DaVaronna and Jane Powell Photo: Rob Rich	Ruth Henderson, Arnold Scaasi, Barbara Taylor Bradford Photo: Rob Rich
Marvin Hamlisch, Bob Schieffer, Ruth Henderson, Pat Schieffer and Dwight Bowers. Photo: Rob Rich	Kid Rock, Catherine Forbes and Damon Dash. Photo: Rob Rich

Proceeds from the Birthday Gala support The New York Pops and its Education Programs
and free Summermusic concerts throughout New York City.