The International Festival of Arts & Ideas’ Silver Anniversary Gala honoring founders Anne T. Calabresi and Dr. Roslyn Milstein Meyer was a roaring success! The gala was held on Monday, September 14th, presented virtually for the first-time ever.
Thanks to the support of the community and our 400 guests, we were able to beat our fundraising goals and raised more than $150,000 to support the Festival as we head into planning for 2021 and beyond.
In addition to the online program, guests had the opportunity to enjoy an exquisite meal from New Haven’s Zinc restaurant. Former co-directors Tom Griggs and Liz Fisher hosted the evening and welcomed our new Executive Director, Shelley Quiala, who shared her excitement about moving to New Haven and said: “While it’s not possible for us to come together in person, we are delighted to be joined by Festival lovers from around the world on our digital stage!”
The celebration included Festival-commissioned new work by the internationally celebrated physical comedy duo, Acrobuffos, and Artsucation™ Academy Network, choreographed by Hanan Hameen and Baidy Ba; as well as encore performances by Festival favorites Lila Downs and Kaki King, who debuted work from her upcoming album Modern Yesterdays.
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas Silver Anniversary Gala was made possible with major support from Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, Webster Bank, and the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven; beverage sponsorship by Freixenet; and additional support from People’s United Bank. Auction items were provided courtesy of Elm City Cycling, Graduate Hotel New Haven, Freixenet, and friends of the Festival.
If you would like to make a contribution in honor of Anne or Roz, please visit www.artidea.org/donate. Below are photos that were sent in by gala attendees as well as photographs taken during the dinner pick-up at Zinc. Zinc photos by Judy Sirota Rosenthal (www.sirota rosenthal.com).
