An ensemble of 270 dance patrons, art enthusiasts, and social figures gathered at Capitale Tuesday night to honor artist Jeff Koons and raise more than $500,000 for the Armitage Gone! Dance company at the organization's 30th anniversary party and its first punk-inspired gala.
“I think tonight will be a great party because of the astounding, interesting cross-section of thinking New Yorkers who have come to stand up for what they believe in,” said Karole Armitage, known to many as a “punk ballerina.” A contemporary dance pioneer and director, Armitage conceptualized the event to revolve around the performance, auction, and awards, which meant no additional decorative distractions—except for the leather and patch-clad guests who adhered to the punk-chic dress code.
The Armitage Foundation tapped Melissa Feldman of MF Productions to keep minimalism in mind while producing an inspiring evening on a small budget. Other than hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and a few fake tattoos, the focus remained on the silent auction during cocktail hour. Hesitant to throw down bids early in the evening, however, guests—including Rufus Wainwright, Julian Schnabel, and Lou Reed—left most of the bid sheets blank as they made their way into the ballroom. Performance artist Laurie Anderson and Armitage then hosted the dinner, dance performance, and live auction, where some of the unsold items from the silent auction ended up to boost funds.
Armitage culled support—and valuable objects—from friends of the dance and art worlds in order to pull off a fund-raiser during hard economic times. To help build 26 funky centerpieces out of paperclips, wire, and crumpled invites, volunteers from the Kitchen, the nonprofit experimental performance space where Armitage's “Think Punk” dance season begins in March, chipped in.
For most guests, who paid between $1,000 and $15,000 for a ticket, the highlight of the evening was mingling with art peers and aiding a worthy cause. “When an event, like art, is really good, you feel alive with electricity,” Armitage said, before twirling her black vintage dress in front of cameras. “Right now it’s not about over-the-top decor. It’s about many different spices that add up to one delicious stew."
