casita maria fiesta 2017_plaza hotel_new york gossip galJacqueline Weld Drake_Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia_Carolina Herrera_Reinaldo Herrera
CREDIT: Cutty McGill/cuttymcgill.com

Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education celebrated Fiesta 2017 at New York’s Plaza Hotel with an elegant, festive evening that commenced with cocktails, followed by seated dinner, music and dancing to The Bob Hardwick Sound.

All for a good cause of course, each year at the annual benefit Fiesta, the Casita Maria Gold Medal of Honor is awarded to outstanding individuals in recognition of their contribution to the worlds of arts, education, and philanthropy.

This year honored three exceptional women: Rosaura Henkel, the Mexican philanthropist extraordinaire for her work with “Duerme Tranquilo” and service to numerous hospitals; New York’s own Elizabeth T. Peabody for her dedication to mental health and compassionate leadership to The Maria Droste Counseling Services, and Julia Salvi, the co-founder and visionary behind the renowned Cartagena International Music Festival.

The evening’s host was FOX TV’s Audrey Puente, the daughter of the great Latin percussionist Tito Puente, himself a Casita alumnus and former honoree.

The Dinner Chairmen were Jacqueline Weld Drake and Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, and the Gala Co-Chairmen were designer Carolina Herrera and husband Reinaldo Herrera.

Guests included: Veronica Anner, Tina Beriro & Simon Beriro, Geoffrey Bradfield, Craig Dix, Sissi Fleitas, Joanna Fisher & Bryan Fisher, Dr. and Mrs. Duane Hampton, William Haseltine, Julie Juarez, Roy Kean, Margo Langenberg, Ed Lavano, Mary McFadden, Haydee Morales (Executive Director of Casita Maria), Mary McFadden, Jose Parla, Ann Rapp, Ben Rodriguez- Cubenas, Christine Schwarzman, Pepita Serrano, Martin & Jean Shafiroff, Hunt Slonem, Barbara & Donald Tober, and Barbara & Bruce Winston.

Pictured: 

Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Carolina Herrera, Jacqueline Weld Drake, Reinaldo Herrera