Live Out Loud Presents The 7th Annual “Pride in the Hamptons” Benefit Event in East Hampton

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LONG ISLAND, NY – The LGBTQ youth and community have something to celebrate after Friday morning the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that all Americans can marry under protection of the 14th Amendment. the Supreme Court of the United States declared same-sex marriage legal nationwide. Supporters of Live Out Loud gathered together at the home of Bruce T. Sloane in East Hampton to celebrate the 7th Annual “Pride in The Hamptons Benefit Event” on June 27, 2015.

Live Out Loud is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering LGBT youth by connecting them with successful LGBTQ professionals in their community. Live Out Loud is an organization that guides and empowers LGBTQ teens to live authentic lives. Their programs offer teens encouragement, a place to discover their voice and most important a connection to LGBT role models who share their stories and advice for success. Proceeds of the event will benefit LiveOut Loud’s educational programming for LGBTQ youth. The event brought together an exciting list of attendees that included Don Lemon, Logo TV’s Secret guide to Fabulous Rob Younkers, Farrah Krenek, Mark A Keeton, Aiden Leslie, NCAA Division II Basketball Player Derek Schell, Hall Rubenstein, Renowned Architect and TV Personality John Gidding.

Live Out Loud Live out Loud; Fabulous TV Host John Gidding and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op at the home of Bruce T. Sloane in East Hampton to celebrate the 7th Annual “Pride in The Hamptons Benefit Event on June 27, 2015.

Before the evening got underway I sat down with Leo Preziosi, Jr. – Founder and Executive Director.

Welcome back darlings, I am here with Leo Preziosi founder of Live Our Loud at their 7th Annual Live Out Loud Pride in the Hamptons Charity Gala. So exciting! I understand that Hillary Clinton might be coming by.

Leo: I don’t know about that, I think she might be doing a little campaigning out West, but if Hillary is on her way we would be happy to host her.

Yes, congratulations. Look what happened yesterday…the law was passed for gay marriages nationwide…you must be thrilled and excited!

Leo: I think this is an historic time for the country. When you break it down the LGBTQ community especially our team, I think this is really incredible. It is hopeful for our teams because they now have incredible possibilities that await them and its just a really, really positive message so I am thrilled for all of us but especially for our kids.

Tell my audience about Live Our Loud. There so many different programs that are available. Explain to my audience what they are.

Leo: I will, I will. The most important thing about Live Out Loud is that we need to be present on school grounds. We need to be in conversation with the younger generation and we do have through our programs. We have a high school program in the five boroughs where we actually go into schools and we meet with the geishard alliance clubs and we bring our lesson plans, we bring role models from the gay community to talk to students and its a conversation you know….if a program manager facilitates conversation about different issues and challenges their appointed teams just to show the younger generation what awaits for them. You know I think we really need to be present in their lives. We need to be in conversation with them and pretty simply we need to be able to listen. They have a lot of information that they want to get out, we just need to listen because if they are not getting it out where does it go? Does it lead to depression? Does it lead to missing school? Do they have bad grades? Alcohol, drug abuse…so we are there to facilitate a conversation….

To reassure them and to make them feel that there is no need to be concerned, no need to be worried…

Leo: And I think it is a process and it’s a journey. It doesn’t happen over a course of a month or semester or a year. We just want to let them know that they are on a journey. There is no quick fix. You are going to be meeting great people whether its through you geishard alliance club or through the company that you potentially work with and even your family members. They might be a little resistant at first but for the most part family members do come around.

Absolutely! I totally agree with that!

Leo: We do have another program, it’s the homecoming project where we invite the members of the gay community to go back to their hometown high school and again we want to send a message to students that people do go back and say, “Listen, I have been where you are. I know the talk, I know the community but look what I have created. I have been through the challenges and this is what I have created.” We have found more incredible responses….

I can imagine. That is what they need. They need that support and reassurance. They need to have people understand what they are going through.

Leo: I think what has been really interesting is that for us people who are going back to their high schools who are participating in the homecoming project are actually bringing their mothers and fathers or their partners, sisters, brothers…so they are really giving the student another viewpoint. Someone might talk and there mother or father might talk about their viewpoint. What kids fear the most is talking to their parents so that is what they fear the most.

I know, it’s terrible!

Leo: Our other program that I am really excited about is Live Out Loud Behind the Scenes where we actually take students to companies to meet employees.

Is that the Trail Blazers?

Leo: That is our scholarship. A couple of weeks ago we were at HBO and we brought twenty one students there and they got to talk to the people that were out and their career opportunities but also they talked about their journeys, their challenges and how they over came them. It takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight.

People are still finding themselves at fifty years old!

Leo: It is a journey and it’s OK. Our last program is our scholarship program where we award scholarships to students who are really making an impact in the community and that’s exciting. We have scholarship winners here tonight! They are amazing, amazing young people. I will send them over to you to interview.

Tell my audience where we can go to contribute, support, participate and donate.

Leo: To learn more about Live Out Loud and see some of our short documentaries you can go to http://www.liveoutloud.info

Board member Bruce T. Sloane who has donated his home for the Live Out Loud Pride in the Hamptons event every year for the past several years revealed during our interview, “Just basically we are trying to make sure that all kids have the right to be who they are. It’s getting easier and easier every day and they know that they are OK to be who they are. That is why we bring kids to different corporations. We come back to schools…..we let the kids know through different programming and through interaction with successful adults that life is wonderful and they are accepted the way they are.”

Live interviews at the 7th Annual Pride in The Hamptons Benefit Event on June 27, 2015.

Live Out Loud continues to bring innovative programming throughout the tri-state area, and to inspire and lead by example. Since its inception, Live Out Loud has had the opportunity to bring over 500 LGBT role models to NY tri-state area high schools and universities, involving renowned panelists from every walk of life. From spiritual leaders to fashion designers to corporate powerhouse and grass-roots activists, Live Out Loud speakers have touched thousands of lives.

Live interviews at the 7th Annual Pride in The Hamptons Benefit Event on June 27, 2015.

In his former incarnation, Leo Preziosi, Jr. was a Fashion Designer working for a number of apparel companies including Gloria Sachs and Banana Republic. In 1990, he began his volunteerism by aligning with DIFFA, the Design Industry Foundation for AIDS in event production. This led to an opportunity at Felissimo, a specialty lifestyle retailer, where he repositioned the tearoom and joined the marketing team collaborating with numerous organizations including the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, The United Nations, and The Rain Forest Foundation.

Live interviews at the 7th Annual Pride in The Hamptons Benefit Event on June 27, 2015.

He is a graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Textile Production Management and an A.A.S. in Fashion Design.

Bruce T. Sloane was born and raised in Baldwin, Long Island NY and is a Real Estate Professional in New York City. He was raised to believe in “Tsudukah” ( charity) doing good and helping those in need. Bruce comes to Live Out Loud with past experience with various LGBT organizations. Drawn to Live Out Loud’s mission to help today’s youth to be out, proud and to know that they are OK just the way they are!

He hopes that he can be a role model to young LGBT kids.After being introduced to Live Out Loud’s work by being invited to the NYC Gala in 2007, Bruce has served on committees, been a major donor and in 2009 hosted and originated the Live Out Loud “Pride in the Hampton’s” event. This event has been very well received and has grown in size, popularity and has become an important part of Live Out Loud’s annual budget. It is his pleasure to have created the event and is proud to be a member of the Live Out Loud team.

For more information how you can contribute please visit http://www.liveoutloud.info

American Heart Association’s 19th Annual Hamptons Heart Ball in Bridgehampton on June 13, 2015

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Over five hundred guests gathered to celebrate the American Heart Association’s 19th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Ball at Hayground School located at 151 Mitchells Lane in Bridgehampton, NY on June 13, 2015.

This year, the Heart Ball was pleased to honor Howard Bluver, CEO, Suffolk County National Bank with the Distinguished Leadership Award and the Distinguished Service Award was presented to David H. Adams, MD, Cardiac Surgeon-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Health System Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Professor and Chairman, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and The Mount Sinai Hospital President, Mitral Foundation.

The event was chaired by Meredith Cohen. Cristina Civetta was Jr. Chair News Anchor Chris Wragge from CBS 2 News served as Emcee.

During the red carpet I spoke to Honoree Howard Bluver, CEO of Suffolk County National Bank.

HeartHamptonsBall001 Honoree Howard Bluver, CEO of Suffolk County National Bank speaks with Cognac at the American Heart Association’s 19th Annual Hamptons Heart Ball in Bridgehampton on June 13, 2015.

Tell my audience what this award means to you.

Howard: I have been a big supporter of the American Heart Association for many, many years even before I came out on the East End and I was asked to be the honoree to raise money for the organization and I said “Yes” and I got my whole bank involved. There will be about twenty-five people here who have participated in it and it’s for a great cause. I think they do great work. I support it one hundred percent. We have beautiful weather…

We have terrific weather. It is going to be a gorgeous evening. Tell my audience what made you become a supporter? Were there people in your family that suffered from disease or stroke?

Howard: Both my father and an aunt are in their late 80’s and 90’s and they are still with us because of surgery that they had.

Wow!

Howard: And also my generation and my kid’s generation because of a lot of the research that AHA does is all about lifestyle, exercise and health and healthy eating and so I think they do a great job getting out the word on doing research. It helps a lot of people in the community. I think it is a great organization to support.

Thank you so much and congratulations.

Howard Bluver has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Suffolk Bancorp and Suffolk County National Bank (SCNB) since December 2011. Before coming to SCBN, he was founder and President of JDS Financial Group, LLC, a consulting firm which served the regulatory, transactional, risk management, corporate governance, due diligence and operational needs of the commercial bank, thrift and investment banking sectors. Mr. Bluver also served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Enterprise Risk Officer at GreenPoint Bank and GreenPoint Financial Corp., New York from 1994 to 2005 and as Deputy Chief Counsel, United States Office of Thrift Supervision, Washington, D.C. from 1987 to 1994.

Mr. Bluver began his career at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. finishing as Chief of the branch in the Division of Corporation Finance that covered financial institutions. Mr. Bluver is proud to be honored by American Heart Association and has a strong commitment to the AHA mission of heart and brain health.

During the event many notable individuals including Philanthropist Sara Herbert-Galloway and Dr. Stephen H. Greenberg and his wife Gail Greenberg spoke to me about their support to the American Heart Association

Greenberg Realty TV Star Gail Greenberg and Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg Talk with Cognac at the American Heart Association’s 19th Annual Hamptons Heart Ball in Bridgehampton on June 13, 2015.

Lastly I was proud to interview David H. Adams, MD, Cardiac Surgeon-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Health System Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Professor and Chairman, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and The Mount Sinai Hospital President, Mitral Foundation. Dr. Adams was presented with Distinguished Service Award.

Howard Bluver Distinguished Service Award Honoree David H. Adams, MD, Cardiac Surgeon-in-Chief, Mount Sinai Health System speaks with Cognac at the American Heart Association’s 19th Annual Hamptons Heart Ball in Bridgehampton on June 13, 2015.

You are receiving a very special award tonight. Can you tell my audience what this award is really all about.

Dr. Adams: This award is really about a successful career in large part thanks to the American Heart Association. Like so many of my colleagues around the world they get a start…. a lot of times it comes from support from the American Heart Association so I have been very fortunate and had a great opportunity at Mount Sinai. I have accomplished a lot so far in my career and again we are here to celebrate the American Heart not me.

Tell my audience why you wanted to study this particular type of surgery, heart surgery?

Dr. Adams: Oh, I became interested in heart surgery when I was in college. I watched it when I was volunteering in the hospital. I was…..

Mesmerized.

Dr. Adams: Yeah, mesmerized by it.

I could imagine.

Dr. Adams: And so I spent the rest of my career pursuing that.

I think the American Heart Association and doctors like yourself are really, really combating this dreadful disease of stroke and heart disease. More and more people are living thanks to you. You are doing a terrific job. You really are. Can you tell my audience what we should all to do to prevent heart disease.

Dr. Adams: I think the best thing to do if I could tell you a single thing is probably exercise. I think the other thing is to be proactive about your health in terms of blood pressure or weight and diet and then of course it is to recognize that a lot of us will develop heart disease and if we do in the modern era you rarely die from it. You get help and you follow direction and most patients will live out their normal life expectancy with heart disease. That is really the remarkable mission of the American Heart Association and other societies like this and that is why this is, is because of all the work they have done on behalf of patients.

HeartHamptonsBal010Consuela Singer Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin and Real Housewives Reality TV Star Ramona Singer at the American Heart Association’s 19th Annual Hamptons Heart Ball in Bridgehampton on June 13, 2015.

Dr. Adams is a leader in the field of heart valve surgery and mitral valve reconstruction. As the Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery and Program Director of The Mount Sinai Hospital’s Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center, he has set national benchmarks with 99% degenerative mitral valve repair rates, while running one of the largest programs in the United States.

He is the co-inventor of 2 mitral valve annuloplasty repair rings (the Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix Annuloplasty Ring and the Carpentier-Edwards Physio II Annuloplasty Ring) and is also the inventor of the Medtronic Tri-Ad Adams Tricuspid Annuloplasty Ring. He is a co-director of the annual American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Heart Valve Summit, and the Director of the biennial AATS Mitral Conclave, the largest international meeting in the world focused on mitral valve disease.

The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Founded by six cardiologists in 1924. American Heart Association now includes more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters. The organization funds innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provides critical tools and information to save and improve lives.

The American Heart Association includes 156 local offices and more than 3,000 employees. The American Stroke Association was created as a division in 1997 to bring together the organization’s stroke-related activities.

For more information please visit http://www.heart.org

33rd Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in New York City Honors Harvey Weinstein, Legendary Joel Grey

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NEW YORK, NY – On Monday June 1, 2015 the 33 rd Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, which recognizes outstanding achievement in dance on Broadway and in film each season, honored Broadway legend Joel Grey as well as film and theater producer Harvey Weinstein at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The gala evening was hosted by Two-Time Drama Desk Award nominated Actress Christina Bianco.

Each year the event is presented by Patricia Watt, the Producer of the Astaire Awards and The Douglas Watt Family Fund for the Performing Arts, as well as The Fred Astaire International Dance Studios. the event began with a VIP cocktail reception followed by the show and awards presentation. For the first time, the awards were live-streamed across the United States.

JOEL GREYLegendary Film and Stage Actor and the Recipient of The Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Joel Grey AT the 33rd Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards on Monday June 1, 2015. Photo by Andrew Cohen, Long Island Exchange.

On the red carpet Patricia and I talked about the latest accomplishments and what the Fred Astaire and Adele Awards means to her.

You have done this event for so many years and it is a real passion of yours to put this event together every single year. How many years have you been doing this event?

Patricia: Since 2008.

Tell my audience about tonight’s event. What can we expect?

Patricia: It’s the first year we are going to have the member of Broadway shows performing in a week that has the Tony’s and it’s kind of unprecedented. So it’s a very special show because of that. We have a lot of support from the Broadway community. We always have support from them but more so than ever.

Patricia you are doing a terrific job!

Patricia: Thank you.

As we say in show business, “Break a leg!”

Patricia: Thank you.

Tell my audience the website where we can go to find out more information.

Patricia: www.astaireawards.org

Beautiful!

Patricia: Thank you, thank you Cognac

During the cocktail reception I also had the chance to interview Broadway Actor and Veteran Lee Roy Reams who expressed the importance of supporting the dancers.

Lee Roy tell my audience how many years you have been coming to this event?

Lee Roy: Well I am on the board of the Astaire Awards. I have been associated with the Awards when Patricia Watt became a producer and because all of us love Broadway dancing and who grew up in it and all my credits state that. You know we go back as far as…..with me it was Richard Rodgers revival of “Oklahoma” through “Applause,” “Hello Dolly,” “The Producers,” of course “42nd Street,” Beauty and the Beast,” so many shows but the important thing is the back bone of the theater are he dancers and they don’t always get the applause and the credit that they deserve and that’s what this award is all about.

Thank God, right!

Lee Roy: Yes, because of Fred and and Adele Astaire. It’s so important for people who do love dancing and the Broadway theater that they support the dancers and this is the only organization that does that and also gives so much credit and awards to those people. Support the dancers because they are the heart and back bone of the theater.

The highlight of my evening was interviewing Legendary Film and Stage Actor and the Recipient of The Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Joel Grey.

Mr. Grey attended the event with his daughter Actress Jennifer Grey who presented The Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award to her famous father.

There was not a dry eye in the theater at that moment including Jennifer who had to wipe away her tears.

Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane. I am here at the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards and I am here with two tremendous talents Jennifer Grey and of course her wonderful father Joel Grey.

Joel: That’s me.

Tell my audience, your father of course is receiving a phenomenal award but can you tell me Jennifer what was his one single advice that he gave you when you first started show business?

Jennifer: I think he is a living example and that is the best advice to ever get from anyone is to watch what people do not what they say and what he does is he doesn’t stop.

He doesn’t stop, does he?

Jennifer: He doesn’t and he gets deeper and more interesting and more soulful and more beautiful with every day.

You must be so proud of her. Tell me what does this award mean to you?

Joel: Well for a non-trained dancer it’s like Nirvana because I never really learned how to do it and I was the horror of so many choreographers!

Jennifer: Me too!!! We have that in common.

What was your most challenging role?

Joel: George M

Jennifer: You know he taught himself how to tap for that part.

Joel: No I didn’t Bob Awdy taught me.

Jennifer: He taught you for the job?

At that moment supporters and guests left the cocktail reception to view the awards ceremony so I expressed my gratitude.

Thank you both so much!

Joel: It’s good to see you!

When accepting his award, Joel Grey opened by saying, “I’m reminded that I’ve always been in love with dance and always will.”

His path to dance was a rough one, he said sharing stories of his childhood dance teacher yelling at him for having a tough time breaking into dance. His first paid performance was in a Jones Beach Dance show called Mardi Gras. After nearly giving up, Hal Prince gave him a call for a show he thought he’d be good for, which was Cabaret. To conclude, he thanked a litany of top Broadway choreographers for helping him with his career including Kathleen Marshall and Bob Fosse.

“My life was in their hands and they gave it to me,” he said.

Honorary Committee members include: Karole Armitage, Rob Ashford, Hinton Battle, Marisa Berenson, Anna Bergman, Patricia Birch, Chase Brock, Tricia Brouk, Ron Brown, Sharon Bush, Jeff Calhoun, Warren Carlyle, Marge Champion, Wayne Cilento, Louis Hirschfeld Cullman, Judy Gordon Cox, Arlene Dahl, Jacques D’Amboise, Graciela Daniele, Peter Darling, Marguerite Derricks, Kelly Devine, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Eve Ensler, Daniel Ezralow, Jules Fisher, Roberta Flack, Mario Fratti, Christopher Gattelli, Mitzi Gaynor, Kearran Giovanni, Savion Glover, Joel Grey, Peggy Hickey, Steven Hoggett, JoAnn Hunter, Anne Jackson, Susan Jaffee, Denis Jones, Paul Katz, Larry Keigwin, Daniel Knechtges, Spencer Liff, Michele Lynch, Kathleen Marshall, Rob Marshall, Julie McDonald, Donna McKechnie, Joey McKneely, Stephen Mear, Liza Minnelli, Jerry Mitchell, Bebe Neuwirth, Phyllis Newman, Casey Nicholaw, Marsha Norman, Kenny Ortega, Robert Osbourne, Jeffrey Page, Daniel Pelzig, Jane Powell, Josh Prince, Ann Reinking, Michael Rubinstein, Wendy Seyb, Lisa Schriver, Randy Skinner, Victoria Traube, Sergio Trujillo, Anthony van Laast, Chet Walker, Patti Wilcox, Matt Williams.

The Fred & Adele Astaire Awards were established in 1982 to recognize outstanding achievement in dance on Broadway and in film. The annual awards were established with the cooperation of Fred Astaire to also honor his sister Adele, who starred with her brother in ten Broadway musicals between 1917 and 1931. The Fred & Adele Awards remain the gold standard for excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and film. Since 1982, additional awards have been added, including the award for best choreography in film, the lifetime achievement award, and a unique award determined annually for exceptional contribution to the field.

For more information, visit www.theastaireawards.org

Renowned Car Collector, Racer and Builder James Glickenhaus at the 2015 Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance

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CONNECTICUT – Over two hundred fifty of the world’s finest, rarest and most exciting classic automobiles were on display for the Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance on May 30 and 31st at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park on a verdant peninsula in Greenwich Harbor. The only Ferrari P3/4 race car ever built was driven to the event by its owner, this year’s Grand Marshal, Jim Glickenhaus.

Glickenhaus is a long time supporter of the event and renowned among automotive connoisseurs — especially Ferrari collectors — for restoring, preserving, driving and now building some of the world’s rarest sports and racing cars. He drove, not trailered, the 1967 Ferrari P3/4 – surely one of the world’s most valuable Ferrari race-cars from his home in nearby Rye, NY to the Concourse grounds. His very special Ferrari, chassis No. 0846, won the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona and raced at that year’s Targa Florio and Le Mans.

During the event I had a chance to chat with Renowned Car Collector, Racer and Builder Jim Glickenhaus.

JimGlickenhaus Renowned Car Collector, Racer and Builder Jim Glickenhaus with Cognac Wellerlane at the Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance on May 31st at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich Harbor.

Welcome back darlings. I am here at the 2015 Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance and I am here with Renowned Car Collector, Racer and Builder Mr. Jim Glickenhaus. What a pleasure and an honor to meet you darling.

Jim: Oh thank you so much. It’s great to be here.

Now you are a big supporter of the Concours d’ Elegance and of course you have collected cars for so many years but you did something unusual today. Tell my audience what you did that other car collectors don’t do. They usually trailer their car but you did something unique today.

Jim: Yeah, we got up early and started up our Ferrari P3/4 that won the Twenty-four hours of Daytona 1967 and it is registered in New York and I drove it over here from my house so it was a great morning, nice drive….I always drive my cars.

Not many collectors do that because they are so afraid of something happening to their car but you were brave enough to do that.

Jim: Well I think there are several things to it. I think if you worry about it for sure you are going to have a bad day. I think Murphy wants to …until you see someone worrying but the thing that I don’t understand is a lot of guys buy cars and forty years later, you know they have 200 miles on them. I mean, it’s almost like you know if you said I am not going to have sex with my girlfriend because I want her to be more desirable for her next boyfriend…I never sought of understood that.

I agree with you. I think that you should….when you buy something you should wear it, you should enjoy it, you should embrace it. I am delighted to hear that you like to drive your cars. Tell my audience how many cars do you own that you have collected throughout the years?

Jim: You know I think if you are a real collector you are not hundred percent sure…hahaha. I think I own twenty cars and my wife and I also have a racing Scuderia and we design, engineer, build and race our own sports-cars in Europe. We just raced at the Twenty Four Hours of Nurburgring where we did very well. We finished first in class and then we drove the car from a factory in Torino to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Lake Cuomo. That is a spectacular event.

I would love to attend that!

Jim: Yeah that’s a beautiful thing and then we actually have been selling a few examples of our cars to customers throughout the world.

Do you have a favorite car that you built that you love to drive?

Jim: I love to drive them all. It’s a little bit….should someone ask you which of your kids, grand kids you love the most.

I often hear that.

Jim: Yeah, and they are different. I think that’s the thing. It’s much like saying “What’s your favorite food.” I mean some days you want to go to the best French restaurant in the world, best Italian restaurant and then some days you want a bacon cheeseburger. I like the diversity of the cars and that is what I love.

It’s like me some days I want to wear pink and some days I want to wear blue or some days I want to wear red. It’s the same thing.

Jim: Yeah, exactly so and as you do it you feel good about it and that’s what makes it work.

Tell my audience where did this love of cars and collecting come from? How did that all happen for you?

Jim: For me it was the stories and history….I mean I think the thing about driving an old car is a time machine. My son got married in Newport Rhode Island and I drove up there in a Duesenberg and that was just an adventure driving a Duesenberg….

I can imagine!

Jim: ….You know up to Rhode Island and then he and his bride got in the back and I drove them around and you know you go back in time and when you drive a famous race-car like my P3/4 that Loreno Bandini and Chris Amon won the 24 hours of Daytona….I will never be them but for a moment you are riding with them.

greenwichconcourse2 The Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance on May 31st at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich Harbor.

greenwichconcourse3 The Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance on May 31st at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich Harbor.

Celebrating its 20th year, the Greenwich Concours also honors its tradition of gathering the most discerning automobile collectors and enthusiasts. One of those, Wayne Carini served as Chief Judge for the 2015 event. A leading car restorer, Carini is of course known by many as the host of Velocity “Chasing Classic Cars” TV show and a master at locating rare “barn finds.”

greenwichconcourse4 The Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance on May 31st at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich Harbor.

greenwichconcourse1 The Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance on May 31st at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich Harbor.

Unique among classic automobile events, the Greenwich Concours has always presented two separate concours fields over a weekend: On Saturday, the Greenwich Concours Americana featured American cars, and Sunday’s Greenwich Concours International is exclusively for imported sports, competition and touring cars. Each day features some 125 cars and awards trophies for Best-of-Show, Peoples’ Choice and various classes.

Two new sponsors joined the Greenwich Concours this year, financial powerhouse Charles Schwab and GH Mumm, the official champagne of F1 racing. Spectators might want to “ask Chuck” to advise on the best way to allocate finances for a collector car they dream of. The presence of GH Mumm speaks to the elegance of the Concours. Fittingly, Jean De Castelnau, the GH Mumm Champagne Ambassador presented the trophy each day for “Most Elegant Car.”

Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane interviews Renowned Car Collector, Racer and Builder Jim Glickenhaus who drove World’s Only Ferrari P3/4 to 2015 Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance 20th Year of Greenwich Concours to Display Stunning and Diverse Array of Classic American and International Automobiles

To learn more about James Glickenhaus and his projects please visit http://p45c.com and to learn more about the Concours d’ Elegance please visit http://www.greenwichconcours.com

Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) Hosts 27th Annual East End Benefit at Sender Estate in Sag Harbor

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Supporters gathered to kickoff the Hampton Season on Sunday, May 24th 2015 for The Planned Parenthood Benefit hosted by Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) at the Sender Estate in Sag Harbor from 5 to 7 p.m.. Hamptonites mingled while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. PPHP guests had the opportunity to bid on unique silent auction items, like exquisite art work, tickets to the New York City Ballet or a New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox game, a vacation in the Dominican Republic, paddleboard lessons, fine dining certificates, a sailing adventure, a vintage carousel horse and so much more.

The Annual East End Benefit featured a special guest. This year, Cecile Richards, the President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America joined in to make the event even more spectacular. Bonnie Buckner, Michael Halsband, and Jill Scheuer served as co-chairs of the Benefit Committee, with Dorothy Lichtenstein as chair of the Honorary Committee.

Planned Parenthood Party Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) Hosts 27th Annual East End Benefit at Sender Estate in Sag Harbor on Sunday, May 24th 2015. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while having the opportunity to bid on unique silent auction items.

All proceeds from the East End Benefit support reproductive health care services and educational programs. Planned Parenthood of Hudson Peconic provides essential health care to women, men and young people regardless of their financial status.

I was able to interview both Reina Schiffrin, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic and Cecile Richards, the President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Planned Parenthood Reina Schif President CEO Reina Schiffrin of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic and Cognac Wellerlane at the 27th Annual East End Benefit hosted by Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) at the Sender Estate in Sag Harbor on Sunday, May 24th 2015.

Hello darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and we are here at Planned Parenthood for once more in the Hamptons right here in Sag Harbor at this beautiful estate [Sender Estate] and I am here with Reina and she is going to introduce herself, she is going to introduce her full name and title right here at Planned Parenthood Benefit.

Reina: Absolutely. I am Reina Schiffrin, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic.

Tell my audience, you have been doing this event for so many years. How many years have you been doing it in the Hamptons?

Reina: Twenty-seven years we have been doing this.

Last year you achieved your goals. Tell my audience what your goal is this year. What would you like to see happen this year for Planned Parenthood?

Reina: We are happy to see over two hundred people will attend. We would love to raise about two hundred thousand dollars that goes toward our Health Centers here in Suffolk County.

You have something new that some of these young ladies were telling me about and that is The Emerging Leaders Council. What is that all about?

Reina: The next generation has to take over so we have board of directors and this is really a mini board of young women and men in their twenty’s and thirty’s who want to take a leadership role. They want to do advocacy, they want to fund raise, they want to help us with our medical services so they are the board of the future.

 They certainly are. I am sure there are many programs that are being developed under the Emerging Leaders Council. Can you tell my audience and explain a little more what is involved with that?

Reina: This group right now are very involved with a sexual assault on campuses issue. They are working specifically with Stoneybrook University to see what can be done to prevent the sex and assault that we know is going on in many colleges, so that is one project. They also would like to see us expand our services to more of the lesbian, gay, bisexual questioning transgender….

That’s very big right now of course with Bruce Jenner.

Reina: It’s great that he is willing and coming out and they like us to provide sexual reproductive care to those men and women who need it.

Yes, there are young people that are confused and they should not be confused or afraid to tell people about their situation because we have help for everyone. That is why we are here to bring awareness for everyone, men, women, transgender, gay, lesbian….it doesn’t matter. We are here to bring reproductive safe sex and to also help anyone who needs your services.

Reina: Planned Parenthood is the ideal organization because we are confidential, we are caring, we are passionate and I think they know that we are a great place to come so we are happy to train my clinicians, my doctors and to expand that service to really provide quality care. We plan to do that.

You are doing a fabulous job. I want you to tell my audience what the website is to find out more information.

Reina: www.plannedparenthood.org; Please go online to see our services, get involved…

or participate, support or contribute.

Reina: Absolutely. We need volunteers. We would love you to get involved. Thank you so much.

PlannedParenthoodDansPapers Dans Papers Founder Dan Rattiner and Cognac Wellerlane at the 27th Annual East End Benefit hosted by Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) at the Sender Estate in Sag Harbor on Sunday, May 24th 2015.

Cecile Richards, the President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America reached out to supporters in her speech at the event and revealed, “This Planned Parenthood is nested in a big family of Planned Parenthoods. We see 2.7 million patients every single year. This is the largest reproductive health care providers in the country and I think it is easy to get discouraged right now given the political state of events in some of the states but I am here to tell you that as of this year we have now seen a forty year low in teen pregnancy in this country and that is largely because of the support of work of Planned Parenthood across the country.”

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund and President/CEO Reina Schiffrin of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc. at the Planned Parenthood Fundraiser in Sag Harbor New York during the Memorial Day Weekend.

Planned Parenthood believes in the fundamental right of each individual, throughout the world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual’s income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence. We believe that respect and value for diversity in all aspects of our organization are essential to our well-being. Planned Parenthood believes that reproductive self-determination must be voluntary and preserve the individual’s right to privacy. They further believe that such self-determination will contribute to an enhancement of the quality of life and strong family relationships.

For more information please visit http://www.plannedparenthood.org

‘Turbulence’ Debuts At Farmingdale’s Adventureland; Officially Opens for Business Memorial Day Weekend

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Farmingdale’s Adventureland is set to encounter Turbulence; however, unlike on an airplane, this is the kind of Turbulence that people will definitely want to experience first-hand.

Turbulence is an exciting and new roller coaster attraction set to debut at Adventureland on Memorial Day Weekend 2015, at which time the thrill-seeking public will get a truly one-of-a-kind experience, according to the Farmingdale-based amusement park’s manager, Steven Gentile.

“Turbulence replaces our previous coaster, The Hurricane, which had been in the park for 22 years,” he said. “We felt it was time for Adventureland and Long Island to have something special, and I think that we delivered with Turbulence.”

TurbulenceTurbulence, an exciting new roller coaster attraction set to debut at Adventureland on Memorial Day Weekend 2015. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

Steven and Joe Gentile (L to R): Steven and Paul Gentile, Adventureland Park Managers at Adventureland’s special press preview of Turbulence on May 18, 2015; Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

The main idea behind Turbulence, Gentile said, was to create a new ride for Adventureland that was more accessible to families and yet retained a sense of unbridled excitement for those seeking an adrenaline rush; once you have laid eyes upon Turbulence’s 1,210 feet of yellow and green track, with its impressive array of three banking turns and one immelman turn, its easy to see that they have succeeded in achieving that goal.

However, Gentile explained what it is that makes Turbulence, which reaches 55 feet tall at its highest point and has a top speed of 45 miles per hour, truly unique among its amusement park ride brethren.

“The idea behind Turbulence is that you’re getting a different ride experience every time,” he said. “Each car is spinning independently of each other, and how they spin is different each time depending on who is sitting in the car and how much they weigh. There are three cars per train, and there are two trains, each weighing five tons apiece.”

TurbulenceTurbulence replaces the previous coaster, The Hurricane, which had been in the park for 22 years. There are three cars per train, and there are two trains, each weighing five tons apiece. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

Turbulence Each car of Turbulence spins independently of each other with how they spin different each time depending on the weight of each passenger. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

Gentile and his crew conducted a great deal of research when initially looking to replace the park’s long-standing Hurricane ride, and to that end they found themselves traveling a great deal; first to California, where they tested out a coaster similar in concept to Turbulence, and then all the way to Germany, where famed roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides constructed Adventureland’s newest addition, shipped it over to Farmingdale in pieces, and finally oversaw it’s assembly.

A brutal winter delayed construction the Turbulence project, pushing back the original opening date by six weeks, but in the end, after all the time and effort and expense, Gentile said that the end result was more than worth it.

TurbulenceFamed roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides constructed Adventureland’s newest addition Turbulence in Germany where it was then shipped over to Farmingdale in pieces. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

TurbulenceFamed roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides constructed Adventureland’s newest addition Turbulence in Germany where it was then shipped over to Farmingdale in pieces. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

“Turbulence has been a two-and-a-half year project, and the cost was close to $5 million, which usually not normal for a park of our size to make such an investment,” he said. “However, we planned properly with ride companies, planned financially properly, and we are very excited that we were able to do this for ourselves and for Long Island.”

The very first members of the public who will get to experience Turbulence when the ride officially opens for business on Friday, May 22, at 2 p.m. will be winners from the First Ride for a Cause contest and an auction hosted by Cox Media and Adventureland’s Helping Hands Foundation, with the proceeds benefiting the Long Island Chapter of the juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism.

TurbulenceA brutal winter delayed construction the Turbulence project, pushing back the original opening date by six weeks. Turbulence officially opens for business on Friday, May 22, at 2 p.m. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

TurbulenceAdventureland is located at 2245 Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale, NY. Photo credit, Christopher Boyle, LongIslandExchange.com

While members of the press were not allowed to ride the new roller coaster at Adventureland’s special press preview of on May 18, Turbulence was initially run with empty cars to give attendees an idea of the excitement and fun the public has in store for them come Memorial Day Weekend; however, a few lucky employees of the park were allowed to give the coaster the proverbial whirl, and the reviews were indeed glowing.

“I’ve never been on something like that before, honestly,” said Chris Mule of Levittown. “It was really cool and fun, and really smooth…when you were spinning, it was just a great experience.”

Matt Liguori of Babylon said that he’s a connoisseur of coasters, and that Turbulence easily ranks up there with the very best of them.

“It was really awesome compared to some of the other rides I’ve been on,” he said. “The whole factor that it spins all of the time…it offers a completely different experience every time. If you look at it, it doesn’t seem all that fast, but when you’re on it, it’s just a completely different feel. It’s amazing.”

Adventureland is located at 2245 Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale, NY. Visit their website at www.adventureland.us.

AND THE WINNERS ARE; NYCIFF Closed It’s 2015 Film Festival with The Screening of “Winter” by Heidi Greensmith

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NEW YORK, NY – On Thursday, May 7th, NYCIFF closed it’s 2015 Film Festival with a screening of “Winter” a film by Heidi Greensmith, staring Tommy Flanagan. Greensmith, just completed her first feature”Winter” and is in development for her second feature, a comedy noir “Bloody Mary”. She is married to musician and composer Dominic Greensmith and they have four children.

Mr. Flanagan is the star of the the popular TV series ” Sons of Anarchy” and the movie “Braveheart”. He attended the screening, and accepted the NYCIFF award for best actor.

“Winter” depicts a forty something, foul-mouthed and aggressive, with an unquenchable thirst for booze and fags the character Woods Weston who appears to be a hopeless case. Gradually as the narrative unfolds the story reveals a once successful and charismatic man capable of great sensitivity, an accomplished artist, a loving husband and a committed father.

Roberto-Rizzo-Malan-Breton Roberto Rizzo, Malan Breton and Bonnie Bien at the NYCIFF

NYCIFF-Cast-of-Phantom-Halo NYCIFF Cast of Phantom Halo

Actor Tommy Flanagan who portrays “Woods” is consumed by grief and must come to terms with an emotional breakdown in order to save his relationship with his two young sons, 19 year-old Tom (Tom Payne) and 14 year-old Max (Bill Milner), “Winter” is a poignant exploration of love, loss and family bonds. Nineteen year old Tom (Tom Payne) and his younger brother Max 14 years old (Bill Milner) were happy, had everything going for them. A wonderful art gallery, mother and a successful, artist father “Woods” (Tommy Flanagan). This happy family is turned upside down when their mother, Marie is killed in a random act of violence. “Woods” beloved wife has been suddenly taken away and his heart has broken. He spirals into a mental and emotional break down. His daily life becomes a series of drinking binges and psychotic episodes in a bid to forget. He now frequents only the darkest of places. His bright and popular son Tom who, has gained a place at Columbia University due to his exceptional grades and hard work, is now his sole caretaker.

1 Winter Film Premiere Founder Roberto Rizzo and Cognac Wellerlane

Winter-Film-Premiere-116-To Winter Film Premiere 116 Tommy Flanagan and Heidi Greensmith

Before the screening I had the opportunity to talk to the Director Heidi Greensmith:

Hello darlings, welcome back. I am here with Ms. Greensmith, the director of this important film. Tell my audience the name of the film.

Heidi: The film is called “Winter.”

You worked on this with your husband. Your husband of course is a very well known actor, Mr. Flanagan?

Heidi: Oh no actually he is not my husband. He is my lead actor. My husband is the composer of the film.

Oh I see, he is the composer of the film. Was this an effort you wanted to work together on? Tell my audience how this all came about.

Heidi: Well I had an amazing casting director and he suggested Tommy for the role of “Woods” and I met him. He came from LA to the UK and within five minutes he was “Woods”

He was the right person.

Heidi: He was the one.

He was the one you wanted to play the part.

Heidi: Actually no one could have done it better. He was amazing!

Tell my audience about this film. What is the synopsis of this film?

Heidi: It’s a love story, actually, but it’s quite a tragic love story.

If we want to find out more information about the film is there a website? Where can we learn more about it?

Heidi: The website is http://www.winterthefilm.com

On the red carpet I also had the chance to interview Actor Tommy Flanagan who revealed his character, “Woodsy, he is this heart breaking beautiful broken man who was madly in love…and he is just a broken man. The film was beautifully directed and written by Heidi and I had the priviledge to walk in those shoes and be that character.”

3 Winter Film Premiere Fashion Designer and Filmmaker Malan Breton poses for a photo-op with Actress Elisa Meri

After the red carpet, filmmakers, actors and members of the press enjoyed the screening of “Winter” and the closing night award ceremony.

Congratulations to all Winners of the 2015 NYCIFF Awards:

THE WINNERS ARE

    • BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM: THE SINKING OF SOZOPOL – BULGARIA
    • BEST USA FEATURE FILM: PHANTOM HALO
    • BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: TOMMY FLANAGAN FOR WINTER – UK
    • BEST DRAMA FILM: WINTER – UK
    • BEST INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR: HEIDI GREENSMITH
    • BEST USA DIRECTOR: ANTONIA BOGDANOVICH
    • BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT FILM: IT’S ME – LEBANON
    • BEST INTERNATIONAL ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: ASSIL AND JAD By BANE FAKIH – LEBANON
    • BEST NARRATIVE SHORT FILM – USA: FAMILY ON BOARD
    • BEST DIRECTOR IN A NARRATIVE SHORT: GEORGE POGATSIA – FAMILY ON BOARD
    • BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A SHORT NARRATIVE FILM: GEORGE POGATSIA – FAMILY ON BOARD
    • BEST INTERNATIONAL ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A SHORT FILM: WALLIS MURPHY-MUNN – SANDBOY – USA / IRELAND
    • BEST USA ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE IN A SHORT FILM: ELISABETH JAMISON – FALLING TO PIECES – USA
    • BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT: A JOURNEY TO TAIWAN – USA/TAIWAN by MALAN BRETON
    • BEST INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SHORT: MYRIAM OBIN – ÉLOÏSE, LITTLE DREAMER – QUEBEC / CANADA
    • BEST USA ANIMATED SHORT: YVONNE GRZENKOWICZ – ARCHAEOLOGY – USA
    • BEST TV PILOT: TOPSY MCGEE – USA
    • BEST MUSICAL VIDEO: STELLA – UK

For more information about the New York International Film Festival please visit http://www.nyciff.com

“A Journey To Taiwan” Directed by Fashion Designer Malan Breton Premieres at The Director’s Guild Theater in NYC

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LONG ISLAND, NY – On April 30, 2015 filmmakers, actors models and members of the press attended a very special screening of “A Journey To Taiwan” directed by Fashion Designer Malan Breton at the Director’s Guild Theater in New York City at the New York City International Film Festival.

Filmmaker and Fashion Designer Malan Breton takes us on a journey to Taiwan, to find inspiration, to revisit his childhood, to honor his grandmother, and to create the most pivotal collection of fashion he has ever shown at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.

The film was produced by Bonnie Bien and cast included Kiera Chaplin and Angel Pai.

I have followed Malan throughout his career attending every fashion show he has created during New York Fashion Week and I was thrilled to view this special screening and to talk to him about this unique film.

Life-Coach-Susan-Korwin-andLife Coach Susan Korwin and Malan Breton screening of A Journey To Taiwan directed by Fashion Designer Malan Breton at the Director’s Guild Theater in New York City at the New York City International Film Festival, April 30, 2015.

Welcome back darlings I am Cognac Wellerlane and we are here with Malan Breton for the screening of his latest film “A Journey To Taiwan.” Tell my audience about the film and why did you make it.

Malan: This film was a very personal, this is my first interview so thank you. I have been so nervous about talking about it because its so personal. I was born in Taipei, Taiwan and its a story about my life, my loves, my inspirations that you have seen through all my collections. No matter if I have gone to France or I have gone to India or if I have go to you know all these other places there has always been an element of Taiwan and you are going to see a personal story about my grandmother, about fashion about the beauty of this beautiful country. I hope it inspires all of you.

 I can’t wait to see it. I understand that it is fifteen minutes long.

Malan: It’s twenty-three minutes.

Twenty-three almost as long as my TV show, ha ha ha

Malan: Ha ha ha, and I directed it is my first directorial debut

My show is actually twenty-eight minutes long and I am very happy to be here tonight! I cannot wait to see the film.

Malan: I am so happy you came.

 I wouldn’t miss it!. I wanted to come to your bridal collection but I was in Atlantic City.

Malan: Did you win lots of money?

No but I did see the Beach Boys and that was just as thrilling!

Malan: I love them so much.

Tell my audience where can we go to find out more about the film. Is there a website?

Malan: Yes. If you go to the New York City International Film Festival http://www.nyciff.com there is information about the film. My website MalanBreton.com will be updated with information about it tomorrow because we are going to put a trailer about it on. We didn’t want to give to much information and then there is a couple of surprises that I can’t say but there is some major, major surprises that are actually happening. The film is nominated for an award.

Oh my God! How wonderful!

Malan: It is my directorial debut and I am already nominated, it’s just so crazy!

You are destined for this. I always said you are like a movie star;

Malan: I know you always did say that.

I love you and as we say in show biz break a leg!

Malan: Thank you

A-Journey-to-Taiwan.jpg-AngA Journey to Taiwan, Angel Pai, at the Director’s Guild Theater in New York City at the New York City International Film Festival, April 30, 2015.

New York City International Film Festival has a well-earned reputation, nationally and internationally, as one of the most respected events of the film festival year. The organization is committed to bringing the best of the world’s cinematography to New York City and to provide a platform for established and upcoming talented domestic and international filmmakers to showcase their work. New York City International Film Festival is unlike any other film festivals; NCIFF reveals “We are not a film festival of Film festivals”, They demand a NY Premiere to show a film at their festival, which makes them more serious, exclusive and puts them in another level of competition.

For more information please visit http://www.nyciff.com

Patchogue Theatre 2015 Annual Gala Featured Celebrated Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan, Saturday, April 25

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LONG ISLAND, NY – A full night was planned for a group of ticket holders at the Gala level, which included sound check in the balcony, a cocktail party backstage and a dessert reception in the lobby with a chance to mingle with Celebrity Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan at the Annual Fundraiser Gala for the Patchogue Theatre in Patchogue NY on Saturday April 25, 2015.

Irish tenor, recording artist, physician and champion disabled athlete Ronan Tynan moves audiences like few others can. His stirring performances and personal story of triumph have brought him international fame. The New York Times called him “the closest thing this country has to an official Meistersinger.”

Patchogue Theatre Gala Orlando Pena, Cognac and Bernie Fabig at the Patchogue Theatre Gala, Saturday April 25, 2015.

Celebrity Irish Tenor Dr. Ronan Tynan and Singer Rebecca Farley at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts Gala in Patchogue, Long Island.

Tynan has performed at historic events including Ronald Reagan’s funeral and the Inaugural Prayer Service at the National Cathedral. His memorable renditions of “God Bless America” have been heard at the World Series, The Belmont Stakes and other momentous events. Dr. Ronan Tynan returned to Patchogue Theatre for the performing arts venue’s annual gala fundraiser event. All proceeds directly benefit programming at Patchogue Theatre.

I had the special opportunity before his performance to interview Dr. Tynan. Below is our interview:

Welcome back darlings. I am here at the Patchogue Theatre Gala with Celebrity Irish Tenor Dr. Ronan Tynan.

Ronan: How are you?

What a pleasure to be here with you!

Ronan: Yes and with you. You look tremendous!

Yes. Tell my audience darling about his event tonight. This evening what can we expect and what is it really all about?

Ronan: Well this is the gala that Patchogue Theatre puts on every year and Clara this year asked me would I do the gala and I normally sing in February for them which for me I have a great troupe of fans that come out every February and she asked me if I would do the gala and I said “Sure.” So she said “Can we put in different types of music,” and I said “Yea, we can do that.” and in the process of thinking about it, I decided maybe we should do something a little different. We should put in some Broadway, some stuff I would kind of encourage that is different. Naturally I would want to sing some Irish but it’s not all Irish by any matter of means. We will sing the big Irish numbers but I want to do some Broadway, some opera and contemporary.

 You sing so beautifully. Really!! How many years have you been singing?

Ronan: Since I was thirty-three. I started my life as a medical doctor.

Really? I noticed that. I read you were a doctor but I wasn’t sure you were a doctor because you studied.

Ronan: Music? No, no

So, you really are a medical doctor. What kind of medicine do you practice?

Ronan: I specialize in orthopedic sports injuries.

Oh my goodness, which brings me to my next question. You were born with a disability?

Ronan: That’s right.

Tell my audience what that disability is.

Ronan: Well I was born with a disability called phocomelia which basically means failure of the lower limbs to develop properly and both feet were split but I was very blessed. I had two amazing parents who kind of directed me in the sense of not self pity and striving for what I could achieve. I had a mother that was forfeit, so driven that I sometimes think there are no adjectives that could describe her. I had a father that adored mo to death!

She didn’t want you to feel sorry for yourself.

Ronan: Absolutely not, but I mean she loved the idea, the fact that I became a doctor. She wasn’t so sure about the singing. She believed singing was a no vocation not a vocation.

I came from a very strict old fashion Italian family and they didn’t believe in show business. It was like get married, have babies and forget about this.

Ronan: You know I think parents invest in their children. They want the fruit of the work or the education to show and their son decides “OK, I am going singing,” that is a bit of a shock but my father loved the idea. Mom , I am not so sure.

Tell my audience out of all your performances, did you have a specific performance that you found was the most challenging?

Ronan: I think one of the biggest challenges I have ever had was to sing at the Reagan Funeral.

Really?

Ronan: I was the only soloist there. We had been in the cathedral from 5:30 in the morning and I didn’t sing until 11:00 so I didn’t even have a chance to warm up. It was fairly challenging.

Really, but you toured all over the world….

Ronan: I have but I mean, I don’t think your ready for something as big as that with an audience of forty-nine million.

Forty-nine million! Oh my God!

Ronan: Thirty-nine presidents and top people from all over the world attended this man’s funeral so it was a big deal.

I am sure it was. You are going on to do more things. Can you tell my audience where your next tour is going to be.

Ronan: Well I kind of are in the middle of a lot of stuff. I also teach in the University in Kentucky at two semesters every year. I am getting ready to do two more albums. I am kind of in the middle of tour at the moment in the sense of eight dates in the next three weeks and I suppose that’s really a tour in itself.

Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information about you. What is your website?

Ronan: My website is http://ronantynan.net It’s filled up with every old performances plus extra stuff. So anyone that want to contact me can contact me through the website, there is no problem.

Dr. Tynan also treated the audience to a surprise performance of one of his students singing, Rebecca Farley. The talented Ms. Farley really stole the show and captivated the audience with many songs including her rendition of “The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Music.”

During my interview with Ms. Farley, she revealed “About five years ago I had my first lesson with him and he really encouraged me to let me realize my own potential and we stayed connected through the years. I am very happy to share this performance with him tonight.”

PatchogueTheatreGala12 Robert Loscalzo and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ponteri at the Patchogue Theatre Gala, Saturday April 25, 2015.

PatchogueTheatreGala123 Patchogue Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce David Kennedy and Cognac at the Patchogue Theatre Gala, Saturday April 25, 2015.

PatchogueTheatreGala1234 Mayor Paul Ponteri of the Village of Patchogue and Cognac at the Patchogue Theatre Gala, Saturday April 25, 2015.

The Patchogue Theatre Gala is an annual fundraiser event to benefit future programming at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA). Also known as The Patchogue Village Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts has been organized under and by virtue of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in order to manage Patchogue Theatre in the public interest. Patchogue Theatre is the largest theatre in Suffolk County, N.Y. with 1,162 seats.

Sponsor for the event included: TRITEC Real Estate Company, JVC Broadcasting, Clare Rose / Stella Artois, BBS Architects & Engineers and Tires Inc.

For more information please visit http://www.patchoguetheatre.org

“New York Tent” Presents Concert and Cocktails; 2015: Event-Season’s Biggest Kickoff Spectacular

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LONG ISLAND, NY – New York Tent and IDEKO Productions Presented “Concert and Cocktails” 2015, Event Season’s Biggest Kickoff Spectacular on April 14, 2015 from 6 to 8 pm. Guests walked through the red carpet into New York Tent’s newly designed location to experience the ultimate party destination. This VIP only event featured a private concert by the famed Blues Traveler and The Movin Out Band with cocktails and h’orderves provided by Sterling Affair Caterers. While on the ground of New York tent’s finest location, guests mixed, mingled, and enjoyed the opportunity to network with Long Island’s most elite.

Sponsors included “Please B. Seated” providing all of New York Tent’s rental needs. The event brought together New York City and Long Island’s top businesses, event planners, producers, designers, caterers and elite to enjoy this fabulous event. Each tenting concept is a unique vision, carefully planned and assembled. At New York Tent, they understand the complexities of organizing and producing spectacular events. Attention to detail, technical know-how, skilled assemblers, and quality materials allow the company to achieve, and exceed their clients’ expectations each and every time.

Untitled-1 David Tannenbaum, CEO of New York Tent at Concert and Cocktails; 2015: Event-Season’s Biggest Kickoff Spectacular with Cognac Wellerlane April 14, 2015

New York Tent has been producing sensational tented affairs since 1994, operating out of a 60,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility. From world class sporting events such as the NYC Marathon and large music festivals, to corporate galas, weddings and intimate parties, New York Tent services customers’ needs with hands-on planning and a sophisticated design sense that is key to executing every event with flawless precision.

Each tenting concept is a unique vision, carefully planned and assembled out of a 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, which boasts a world-class washroom including a tent washing machine, water softening system and a 4th of its kind tent dryer. Led by CEO David Tannenbaum, who recently can on board, New York Tent has experienced explosive growth over the last two years garnering some of the largest investment in inventory the company has ever seen.

At the event I had the pleasure to talk to David Tannenbaum. CEO at New York Tent. Below is our interview.

Cognac interviews David Tannenbaum. CEO and Publicist Michael Mazzella from www.wunderlichinc.com at the New York Tent’s customer appreciation event season kickoff spectacular in Long Island on the 14th. The event will include over 600 of Long Island’s top event producers, investors, entrepreneurs, and editors from all the weeklies and top luxury glossy publications in New York City. They will enjoy a private VIP concert by the famed 90s Blues Traveler Band and the Movin’ Out Band.

Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here with the new CEO of NY Tent. Introduce yourself to the camera.

David: I am David Tannenbaum with NY Tent and we are having a fun-filled night here under some new tents that we brought in for the upcoming season and just happy to have our clients here to see what we can offer.

Tell my audience a little bit more about this event that is taking place right now. You are having two special bands that will be performing.

David: Sure. We have the Movin’ Out Band. Billy Joel Tribute was on Broadway playing a show “Movin Out” for quite a while and the headliner is Blues Traveler who just dropped a new album on Tuesday. We are excited to have them here and give our guests a good time.

This is an amazing thing that you guys are doing. You have this every year. Now you are new on the board. When did you start with the company?

David: I started and was brought in to give some new life into the company, bring in some new inventory, reach out to a new market and this is a great way to intro that and show that we have been around for twenty years. We are reinventing ourselves and everything we have to offer.

You have a lot of interesting people here tonight. A lot of entrepreneurs, a lot of business people. How many people are actually attending this event tonight? Do you know?

David: In the end about seven hundred people.

Seven hundred people, Wow! And you do this every year?

David: Yea, we were doing it every other year for a while. From the success of what it looks like we are having this year, this most certainly will become a yearly event.

Wow! I am sure you have a lot of great ideas that you want to see take place here for NY Tent. Can you tell my audience some of the things you might be planning in the future for this company.

David: Sure, we have some great new inventory. The tent that we are having this event is called the Arcum. It’s something nobody else in our area has. It’s in other parts of the country in other areas. We have a lot of new chairs and a lot of new liners and a lot new kinds of elements to existing tents that really separate us from the competition. We show people it’s not just a plain old white tent anymore. There is more you can do with it!

Do you have any significant clients, any celebrity clients that my audience should know about?

David: We do. Most of the time we sign non-disclosure agreements to protect their identities and what we do for them. That is why I can’t name drop but we do a tremendous amount of work in the Hamptons and in the city and surrounding areas doing a lot of celebrity wedding, anniversary parties.

Charity parties.

David: Charity as well. Tremendous amount of charity, you know and special events for raising money. We are always happy to be a part of those events. It is a good cause, we get to be involved and do what we do.

Terrific! If we want to find out more information about NY Tent where can we go? What is the website?

David: Sure, the website is http://www.nytent.com. You can also call us anytime and we are here to help.

NYTentPublicistMichaelMazze Publicist Michael Mazzella from Wunderlich Inc. PR who invited me to the event. In our interview Michael revealed ‘Why rent a location when you can build one anywhere.’

I also had the opportunity to interview Publicist Michael Mazzella from Wunderlich Inc. PR who invited me to the event. In our interview Michael revealed “The importance is about events. The event we are having tonight is about event season kickoff! You know in the Summer there is a lot of events in New York and the Hamptons. It’s all about event season. As you can see the tent that we are under is quadruple the size of my apartment at least! It’s enormous. They have curve tents, they have metal tents, the one that we are sitting in now can hold up to tens of thousands of people and you know in New York and the Hamptons it’s all about the outdoor Summer Party and NY Tent is the perfect place to have your venue. Why rent a location when you can build it anywhere.

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