New York's Top Media Events 2010

Time 100 Gala
Time 100 Gala
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Time Inc.

1. Time 100 Gala
In just six years, the news magazine’s party for the world’s most influential people has become one of the more star-studded affairs in town. The 2009 event, held again at Jazz at Lincoln Center, produced a particularly famous photo op when Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey sat side by side at the head table. The 2010 event is slated for May.

2. National Magazine Awards
With fewer titles to shower with accolades but an additional 12 categories added since the 2009 awards, the 2010 Ellies will take place in two parts. The traditional black-tie presentation is scheduled for April 22 at Alice Tully Hall, after the new awards—focused on digital media—are handed out at a luncheon on March 18.

3. National Book Foundation’s National Book Awards
The foundation celebrated 60 years in November 2009, handing out special awards to Gore Vidal and David Eggers. The night included dinner, the award presentation, and a less formal after-party.

4. The New Yorker Festival
Celebrating a decade of cultural programming, the 2009 festival was forced to downsize from its originally scheduled weeklong run to its typical three-day format—while still managing to lure in panelists such as MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow, movie mogul Tyler Perry, and actress Tilda Swinton. The festival is expected to return in October.

5. Peabody Awards
The world’s oldest prize in electronic media, the television accolades honor everything from international reportage to primetime sitcoms. The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, which administers the awards, will host this year at the Waldorf-Astoria on May 17.

6. The Webby Awards
Capping the three-year-old Internet Week New York, the 2010 online honors will return to Cipriani Wall Street on June 14. Achievements in online advertising, film, and video will be recognized, in addition to awards for the year’s best Web sites.

7. Glamour Women of the Year Awards
With a serious red carpet and often-tearful tributes to the achievements of that second X chromosome, Glamour’s flagship event toasted Rihanna at the 2009 presentation at Carnegie Hall. Other famous ladies who made it to the party included Amy Poehler, Maria Shriver, and jailed journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

8. Matrix Awards
New York Women in Communications will honor The New York Times’ Susan Chira, Google’s Marissa Mayer, and media personality Gayle King at the 2010 award luncheon. NBC anchor Brian Williams will M.C. the April 19 event at the Waldorf-Astoria.

9. Literacy Partners’ Evening of Readings Gala
The adult literacy nonprofit pulled in big names and numbers for its 25th anniversary event. Director Stephen Daldry, Martha Stewart, and Barbara Walters were among those on hand to raise more than $1.2 million. The event returns this May.

10. PEN Literary Gala
Well-dressed and well-read guests of the international literary organization’s annual event gather each spring at the American Museum of Natural History to discuss the publishing industry while raising money for the nonprofit’s literary efforts.

Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly identified the date of the 2010 Matrix Awards.