Avenue Insider Alexander Hankin hits Doubles for the New York Philharmonic: Young New Yorkers Winter Fête benefit
While most of the social set revels beneath the sun-kissed skies of Miami, feigning admiration for mediocre art, I find myself freezing my ass off moving apartments. Yet, my week is far from devoid of cultural splendor, as my friend, Bailey Foote, graciously invites me to the New York Philharmonic: Young New Yorkers Winter Fête benefit.
The soirée unfolds at the subterranean Doubles Club, a space so iconic around the holidays that – while Mariah Carey claims reign as the Queen of Christmas – Doubles undoubtedly rules in the royal court of holiday exuberance. I descend the staircase and truly felt as though I have ventured into Santa’s Workshop. The only thing missing is Rudolph to bring me home in a sleigh – replacing the crazy surge scam that Uber has stricken on partygoers all season in Manhattan.
The evening commences with the clink of cocktail glasses. My hostess Bailey Foote, embodies the timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn, draped in a couture black Balenciaga gown, adorned with vintage 18k gold rope jewelry, and a Chanel clutch embellished with a striking eagle. By the bar, I encounter the charming Giulio Dalvit, sculpture curator at the Frick Collection, alongside dashing Kevin Mackinnon. Brittany Beyer Harwin radiates like a Christmas angel in a vintage gold YSL dress and David Rosengarten and Sarah Sallee turn heads in Prada.
Guests settle into their seats and Trevor Gibbons takes the stage to honor his wife, Sara Jane Gibbons, Chair of the Young New Yorkers, emphasizing “how important it is to make space for music in your life.” Sarah Jane beautifully articulates, “I believe that shared experiences with music unite us; everyone should partake in them. This is why the Philharmonic’s educational programs hold such significance.” We are then serenaded by a sublime Quintet in A Major, featuring clarinet and strings, who transport us with renditions of Allegro, Larghetto, Menuetto, and Allegretto con variazioni. In this bustling city, it is a rare and joyous occasion to sit feet away from such awe-inspiring artists and allow their melodies to whisk you away.
The evening continues with everyone hitting the dance floor to bop around to an array of early aughts tunes. As we twirl and sway beneath shimmering yards upon yards of tinsel, I can’t help but ponder, While there’s no place like home for the holidays – New York City is a very close second.
