Kravis Supporters William A. Meyer and Kristen and David Lambert Chaired Black-Tie Benefit
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts hosted its annual Gala on Friday, February 16, 2024, with a record-breaking attendance of more than 500 guests. Long-standing Kravis Center supporters William A. Meyer and Kristen and David Lambert chaired the black-tie, sold-out event. Honorary Gala Chairs were Monika E. Preston and Kathryn C. Vecellio.
Gala guests were welcomed with a cocktail reception in the elaborately decorated Harris Pre-Function Hall in the Cohen Pavilion. The reception was followed by a performance in Dreyfoos Hall from 16-time GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer, David Foster; acclaimed singer, television and Broadway star, Katharine McPhee; and multi-platinum recording artist, and GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, and Broadway star, Josh Groban. Prior to the performance, a special tribute was made to the late Alexander W. Dreyfoos, the Kravis Center’s Founding Chairman. It was his vision and leadership that led to the building of the Kravis Center.
Following the performance, guests made their way to the dinner reception in the Gimelstob Ballroom in the Cohen Pavilion which was lined with foliage walls, and illuminated with blooming flowers. Sponsor recognition was projected above the hedges with garden accents. To add to the immersive setting, exquisite mood lighting filled the room. Rich colors of burgundy and golden tones adorned the beautiful tabletops created by Lewis Miller Design.
Before the main course was served, the Gala Chairs and the Marcia Mitchell Band gave a special presentation of “All That Jazz” from the Broadway musical, Chicago. The famous song included new lyrics recognizing the event’s generous sponsors, Gala Chairs and Honorary Gala Chairs.
For dinner, guests were treated to world-class cuisine prepared by Kravis Events by Lessing’s Hospitality Group under the direction of Guy Reuge, Chef Emeritus; Eddie Michaels, Corporate Executive Chef and Sean Koch, Kravis Events Executive Chef. The three-course meal began with a seafood tower of ahi tuna, sashimi salmon, Maryland lump crab and baby shrimp. The main course included a “surf and turf” of seared beef tournedos and poached Maine lobster. For dessert, a chocolate mousse duo was presented. After dinner, guests danced the night away to live music by Marcia Mitchell Band and departed with an exclusive Italian leather jewelry clutch, compliments of Lugano Diamonds.
Gala sponsors recognized during the evening were Sondra and David S. Mack, Tom and Sherry Barrat, Jane M. Mitchell, Lugano Diamonds, Sharyn and Stuart Frankel, Related Companies, SBA Communications Corporation/Aggie and Jeff Stoops, James H. Coleman, Ken Endelson, Madeline and Wes Finch, Joseph and Michelle Jacobs, Henni Kessler in memory of John Kessler, Amin J. Khoury, Norma and Leonard Klorfine, Kristen and David Lambert, Kravis Events by Lessing’s Hospitality Group, Phyllis and William Mack, William A. Meyer, Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund, Monika and John Preston, John J. Raggio and Dr. Donna Kesselman Raggio, Martha Rodriguez, MD and Jesus Perez-Mendez, MD, Diane and John Sculley, Tina and Byron D. Trott, Kathryn and Leo Vecellio, Ann-Britt and Christian Angle, Steve and Amy Bassett, Bernstein Private Wealth Management, Penny and Harold Blumenstein, The Breakers Palm Beach, Peter and Susan Brockway, CIBC Bank USA, Bert and Carol Crawford, Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Beth Fishel, Marjorie and Stephen Fiverson, Suzanne and John Golden, Caroline Harless, Gretchen and Jay Jordan, Kristen and Charles Krusen, Publix Super Markets Charities, Leslie and Thomas A. Rosin, Jane and John Shalam/Voxx International Corporation, TradeZero, Jill and Bill Wachter, Tiffany & Co. and media support by Palm Beach Illustrated.
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Kravis Center provides exceptional cultural experiences that entertain, inspire, and educate audiences across the entire community. For information, please visit kravis.org.
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