Patrick Mcmullan – Downtown Magazine

Celebrity Photographer Patrick McMullan celebrated the luckiest of birthdays on March 17th at a surprise dinner hosted by philanthropist Jean Shafiroff. Over 50 guests of the photographer’s friends and family dined on Asian-inspired dishes at Jue Lan Club, located in the former Limelight space in Chelsea.

Liliana Cavendish and Geoffrey Bradfield

Notable guests included Lady Liliana Cavendish, interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield, writers Michael Must and R. Couri Hay, and editor of Andy Warhol’s diaries Pat Hackett, to name a few. Shafiroff personally honored McMullan with a toast wishing who the Irish Embassy calls “a vital Irish American,” the happiest of birthdays.

Enthusiasm for St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t lost amidst the birthday celebrations. Tables were festively decorated with green confetti bombs. Many guests, including Dr. Penny Grant, Irish American actor James Francis Ginty, and socialite Janna Bullock, all donned the holiday’s signature hue.

Roy Kean, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Ann Rapp, and Ryan Nessing

Holiday-themed festivities continued after the private dinner in the venue’s main room with the arrival of an additional 600 guests from every stratagem of Manhattan culture. Halstead Properties agent Roy Kean partied next to composer Lucia Hwong Gordon, and interior designer Ryan Nessing. For McMullan, it was certainly a birthday to remember.

Liam McMullan, Jean Shafiroff and Patrick McMullan

Jean Shafiroff, Elsie McCabe Thompson, Don Peebles, & Katrina Peebles / Photo: Owen Hoffman/patrickmcmullan.com — Jean Shafiroff, Elsie McCabe Thompson, Don Peebles, & Katrina Peebles / Photo: Owen Hoffman

Earlier this week, author and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and Martin Shafiroff hosted a reception last night to announce the honorees at the New York City Mission Society’s annual Champions for Children Gala on Wednesday, Apr. 5, 2017 at the Mandarin Oriental New York. Attendees of the party included Elsie McCabe Thompson, Kenita Lloyd, Katrina and Don Peebles, Jay Morehead, Peggy and John Bader, Stan and Leah Rumbough, Geoffrey Bradfield, Edward Cox, Michael and Barbara Gross, Randi Schatz, Larry Milstein, Victor dE Souza, Maggie Norris, and Matt Rich.

This year’s Gala’s honorees are legendary actress and singer Diahann Carroll, entrepreneur Don Peebles, and three lifetime members of the Mission Society’s Board of Directors: actress and philanthropist Dina Merrill Hartley, whose family has supported the Mission Society for four generations; Lloyd W. Brown, II; and, LTC Francis W. Kairson, Jr.

WABC news anchor Bill Ritter, a longtime supporter of the Mission Society, will emcee the event. Performing that evening will be Kathy Sledge, the legendary voice of Sister Sledge, acclaimed singer Alex Donner and his Orchestra, and students enrolled in the Mission Society’s free after-school music education program, G.R.I.O.T.

Co-chaired by Mission Society’s board members Jean Shafiroff — Gala Chair for the previous two years and a former Mission Society Gala honoree — and Katrina Peebles, the benefit will support the Mission Society’s programs and services that help youth and families in our city’s most underserved communities.

This year’s Gala will be held at the Mandarin Oriental at 80 Columbus Circle in Manhattan, starting with cocktails at 6:30 PM, as followed by a 7:30 PM dinner and program, music and dance. To purchase tickets to the event and learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.nycharities.org/Events/EventLevels.aspx?etid=9605.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnH9EjhWhVo&t=2s