Thank You for an Unforgettable 2025 Downtown Dinner!
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Downtown Dinner—a heartfelt celebration of the artists, advocates, and supporters who believe in the essential and transformative power of the arts in our city.
We were honored to present The Liberty Award for Artistic Leadership to the incomparable Taylor Mac, whose ensemble performance lit up the evening. We also proudly recognized LMCC alumni artists Jean Shin, Keisha Bush, and Juliana F. May with the Michael Richards Award for Visual Art, Sarah Verdone Award for Writing, and Sam Miller Award for Performing Arts, respectively.
As LMCC Interim President & CEO Moe Yousuf reminded us, “We need the arts right now—not just because they inspire us, but because they connect us. Art and artists help us imagine how we live, work, and create together.”
A special thank-you to our dazzling host, Tigger-James Ferguson, who guided the evening with heart and humor, and to the many artists who made the night so memorable—from the exquisite lantern flower centerpieces by Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky arranged in collaboration with LMCC’s Art Director, to the delightful rose ice cream by Elisabeth Smolarz of IceCreamWindow, the timeless rhythms of The Vintage DJ, and the sleight-of-hand magic by Matthew Holtzclaw that captivated guests throughout the evening.
We were also inspired by remarks from New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin and NYC Council Member Gale A. Brewer, who reaffirmed their commitment to making the arts accessible for all New Yorkers.
This year’s Dinner raised essential funds to sustain LMCC’s year-round support for artists and ensure that transformative artistic experiences remain available across the city. As Moe shared, “LMCC brings our artistic, business, and civic leaders together to make something greater than just the sum of the parts.” Together, we make art happen.
Finally, we extend our deepest thanks to our event partners, Pomegranate Arts, Cipriani Events, and Moment Factory, for helping make this magical evening possible.