HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR 26TH BIRTHDAY GALA

26th Birthday Gala
Monday, April 27, 2009

Celebrating
Feinstein’s at Loews Regency on its Tenth Anniversary
and congratulating
Michael Feinstein • Jonathan Tisch

Saluting
New Amsterdam Rediscovered

The New York Pops 26th Birthday Gala was an evening to celebrate! Entitled Musical Journeys, the April 27, 2009 gala celebrated Feinstein's at Loews Regency on its tenth anniversary and congratulated Michael Feinstein and Jonathan Tisch for leading this great New York institution. The all-star 26th Birthday Gala concert also included a salute to New Amsterdam Rediscovered, a joint Dutch-American initiative celebrating the 400th anniversary of the exploration of New York Harbor and the Hudson River. The Carnegie Hall concert was conducted by Music Director-Designate Steven Reineke and hosted by Liz Smith. Surprise Guest Liza Minnelli appeared to pay tribute to Michael Feinstein. Performers included Ashford and Simpson, Sara Caswell, Barbara Cook, Bob Dorough, Cheyenne Jackson, Brian d’Arcy James, Idina Menzel, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Anika Noni Rose.  The post-concert dinner dance was attended by 300 guests at the Pierre. The annual gala raises funds for the orchestra and its free education programs.

Music Director-Designate Steven Reineke conducted the sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall. Photo: Rob Rich	Jonathan Tisch and Michael Feinstein Photo: Rob Rich
Idina Menzel performs “American River” from “American River Suite.” Photo: Steve J. Sherman	Anika Noni Rose sings “Half Moon” from “American River Suite.” Photo: Steve J. Sherman
Host Liz Smith, Brian d’Arcy James, Sara Caswell, Michael Feinstein, Jonathan Tisch, Steven Reineke, Anika Noni Rose, Stephen Flaherty and Cheyenne Jackson Photo: Rob Rich	Idina Menzel, Sara Caswell and Anika Noni Rose join lyricist Bill Schermerhorn and composer Stephen Flaherty after performing the world-premiere of “American River Suite.” Photo: Rob Rich
Liza Minnelli surprises Michael Feinstein at Carnegie Hall. Photo: Steve J. Sherman	Ashford & Simpson perform “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Photo: Steve J. Sherman
Barbara Cook performs “No One Is Alone.” Photo: Steve J. Sherman	Brian Stokes Mitchell sings “This Nearly Was Mine” a cappella. Photo: Steve J. Sherman
Michael Feinstein closes the concert with “For Once in My Life.” Photo: Steve J. Sherman	Cheyenne Jackson makes his Carnegie Hall debut and shows the audience he’s “Feelin’ Good.” Photo: Steve J. Sherman
Recipients of the 2009 Salute to Music scholarship will spend the summer at the New York Summer Music Festival.  After performing with The New York Pops, the five winners met Michael Feinstein, Jonathan Tisch and Music Director-Designate Steven Reineke. Photo: Rob Rich	Gala Leadership Committee Co-Chairs Nancy Rabstejnek Nichols, Bill Schermerhorn and June Freemanzon. Photo: Rob Rich
Music Director-Designate Steven Reineke and The New York Pops Board President Ruth Henderson. Photo: Rob Rich	Music Director-Designate Steven Reineke with Patty Read and The New York Pops Chairman James A. Read. Photo: Rob Rich
The New York Pops Board Member Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, Gala Leadership Committee Co-Chair Bill Schermerhorn and Joan Steinbrenner. Photo: Rob Rich	The New York Pops Board Member Rick Friedberg and Francine LeFrak. Photo: Rob Rich
Michael Feinstein, Eva Mohr, Barbara Taylor Bradford and Music Director-Designate Steven Reineke. Photo: Rob Rich	New York Pops CEO James Johnson, Gala Leadership Committee Co-Chair June Freemanzon and Music Director-Designate Steven Reineke. Photo: Rob Rich
Alan and Arlene Lazare with Valerie Simpson and Nickolas Ashford. Photo: Rob Rich	Gala Leadership Committee Co-Chair Nancy Rabstejnek Nichols and Music Director-Designate Steven Reineke. Photo: Rob Rich

Gala proceeds support the Education Programs of The New York Pops and free Summermusic concerts throughout New York City.