The 2021 "Un-Gala", benefitting the Sag Harbor Cinema and The Church, held at The Church in Sag Harbor on Saturday, October 2nd, 2021. Photo by Michael Heller
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
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The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church & Sag Harbor Cinema Host First Annual Un-Gala
The Church and Sag Harbor Cinema hosted the first annual Un-Gala at The Church with an After Party at the Cinema on Saturday, October 2. The benefit for the two new East End cultural organizations raised close to $500,000 and was attended by fully vaccinated guests who experienced a cocktail party with VR painting and a chance to “be” in seascapes and landscapes created by The Church co-founders Eric Fischl and April Gornik. Gornik is also the Chairperson of Sag Harbor Cinema’s Board of Directors.
The unique event continued to the main floor where dinner was served by Cynthia Battaglia Distinctive Catering under a piñata in the shape and scale of a lowrider vehicle by artist Justin Favela. The evening also included a live auction — with paddles at each table which could be decorated by the guests — and four lots successfully sold by auctioneer Gabriel Butu. At the end of the bidding, guests were treated to a surprise when a flurry of confetti fell at their feet, then dancing began as the New Orleans-inspired eight-piece band The HooDoo Loungers took the stage and dessert was served.
“I think the message was sent that we don’t mess around when it comes to creative play,” said Fischl. He and Sag Harbor Cinema Board President John Alschuler welcomed the guests, talked about how the two start-up institutions are becoming places of community, learning, and innovation in Sag Harbor, and thanked the Sponsors of the event, which included Fiduciary Trust International, Teremana Tequila, Empire Merchants, Bedell, Wolffer Estate, Channing Daughters, Croteaux Vineyards, The HooDoo Loungers and Sag Harbor Florists. The event was also supported by Alschuler and Diana Diamond, Martin and Michele Cohen, Ryan Greenawalt and Joey Licitra, Helena Hernmarck, Phil Kent, Lena Kaplan, Wendy Keys, Linda Mintz and Penny Zuckerwise, Katherine Rayner, and Darren Star.
After dessert, guests were ushered to The Cinema for an After Party featuring DJ Chile and a film projected silently on the terrace. Specialty cocktails and snacks were crafted by Jesse Matsuoka of Sen.
The Un-Gala 2021 was made possible by the Host Committee: John Alschuler and Diana Diamond, Laurie Anderson, Bill and Jill Collage, Moises Cerdas and Marta Blanco, Blythe Danner, Alexandra and Chris Dean, Peter Duchin and Virginia Coleman, Bill Evans and Sandra Foschi, Amanda and Glenn Fuhrman, Steven Gambrel and James Anderson, April Gornik and Eric Fischl, Ryan Greenawalt and Joey Licitra, Billy Joel, John Kaplan, Phil Kent, Wendy Keys, Susan Mead and Neil Slevin, Hilary Loomis, Susan Lacy and Halsted Welles, Don Lemon and Tim Malone, Rob Marshall and John Deluca, Mario Polumbo and Stefan Gargiulo, Richard and Lisa Plepler, JJ and Chelsea Redick, Nicole Seligman and Joel Klein, Darren Star, Sally Susman and Robin Canter, Dini von Mueffling, E.T. and Audlyn Williams.