Benefits for diseases, politicians, and social programs are pretty common, but on Monday, March 19, the cause du jour was a bit more unusual—a 1930’s-era fireboat. Save Our Ships New York, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic sailing vessels, held a benefit gala at Xchange in honor of the 75th anniversary of the John J. Harvey fireboat.Florent Morellet, owner of the restaurant Florent and part-owner of the John J. Harvey, served as the benefit chair, bringing together a mixed crowd of volunteers and supporters that included politicians, performers, and restaurateurs—all in all, about 350 people. The steel ship, which was called to duty for four days at the World Trade Center site after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, is now being used for free educational trips for children and public tours of the Hudson River. But given its age, it’s in constant need of repairs and maintenance. The event raised about $115,000 toward a $320,000 historic-preservation matching-funds grant from the state of New York, for ongoing restoration as well as a full-time staff.
Event producer Abe Gurko of Abe NYC kept the decor simple, making the stage (for a performance of Fireboat! A Musikale) the focal point of the room. “I was going for a grade-school-kitsch look, because the future of the boat is to bring it to more kids,” Gurko said. The venue’s views of the Hudson River added an appropriately nautical backdrop. Just after sunset, Morellet called everyone’s attention to the wall of windows to see the John D. McKean fireboat cruising down the river (the Harvey was docked for repairs), stopping in full view of the building to spray cascading arcs of water.
During the cocktail reception, guests snacked on passed hors d’oeuvres like shrimp cocktail and proscuitto-wrapped melon. Instead of a seated dinner, an ample buffet of crostini, charcuterie, and other finger foods was provided by 14 local restaurants and food purveyors, including Fig & Olive, Macelleria Down East Seafood, and Savoy.
The highlight of the evening was a short musical based on author Maira Kaman’s children’s book Fireboat: The Heroic Adventure of the John J. Harvey. The performance, directed by Kevin Malony, the artistic director of TWEED Theatreworks, told the story of the boat’s history from the 1930’s to today, and resembled a risqué elementary-school pageant with its moving backdrops, cheeky costumes, and scantily clad burlesque dancers (including Dirty Martini, Miss Exotic World 2004).
—Lisa Cericola
Photos: Patrick McMullan (musical).
Event producer Abe Gurko of Abe NYC kept the decor simple, making the stage (for a performance of Fireboat! A Musikale) the focal point of the room. “I was going for a grade-school-kitsch look, because the future of the boat is to bring it to more kids,” Gurko said. The venue’s views of the Hudson River added an appropriately nautical backdrop. Just after sunset, Morellet called everyone’s attention to the wall of windows to see the John D. McKean fireboat cruising down the river (the Harvey was docked for repairs), stopping in full view of the building to spray cascading arcs of water.
During the cocktail reception, guests snacked on passed hors d’oeuvres like shrimp cocktail and proscuitto-wrapped melon. Instead of a seated dinner, an ample buffet of crostini, charcuterie, and other finger foods was provided by 14 local restaurants and food purveyors, including Fig & Olive, Macelleria Down East Seafood, and Savoy.
The highlight of the evening was a short musical based on author Maira Kaman’s children’s book Fireboat: The Heroic Adventure of the John J. Harvey. The performance, directed by Kevin Malony, the artistic director of TWEED Theatreworks, told the story of the boat’s history from the 1930’s to today, and resembled a risqué elementary-school pageant with its moving backdrops, cheeky costumes, and scantily clad burlesque dancers (including Dirty Martini, Miss Exotic World 2004).
—Lisa Cericola
Photos: Patrick McMullan (musical).
Fireboat! A Musikale featured playful moving sets designed by costume designer Gia Grosso and costumes by fashion designer David Dalrymple.
Organizers draped the stage in swags of red and blue fabric and hung a large banner of the fireboat.
Marja Samsom, owner of the restaurant Kitchen Club, donned a vintage, nautical-inspired dress and passed out her signature dumplings.
Denise Dalfo of Florent kept the tabletops clean with a scattering of seashells and votives in mini red pails for a nautical touch.
Buffet stations, set up for the cocktail hour and dinner, offered an array of finger foods, such as crostini topped with cheese and roasted vegetables.
