Credit: David X Prutting/ BFA

El Museo del Barrio held it’s annual Gala last Thursday at gorgeous and elegant Cipriani 42nd Street, in New York City. It raised more than one million dollars for the museum.

The huge ballroom welcomed us with some divine appetizers  including a delicate mushroom tart that melted in my mouth and a caviar blini that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.

Credit: David X Prutting/ BFA

The Gala honored actor Raúl Esparza with the Excellence in the Arts Award, Ramiro Ortiz Mayorga with the Trustee Leadership Award, and Ricardo Villela Marino, CEO, Latin America Banco Itaú Unibanco with the Corporate Excellence in the Arts Award.

More than 600 guests including myself,  Narciso Rodriguez and newsman David Ushery with lovely wife Isabel, were ushered into the sophisticated Italian Renaissance inspired ballroom and greeted with a specialty cocktail named after the night’s sponsor the ‘MundoFox’, which had Ketel One Vodka, St Germaine elderflower liqueur and a splash of lemon juice topped with Prosecco happily completing its mission.

Credit: David X Prutting/ BFA

Guests enjoyed music by The Bob Hardwick Sound, led by Bob Hardwick, and music by DJ Honey Redmond who kept guests dancing till midnight.

Pictured: Mayor Bloomberg & Ricardo Villela Marino

Guest & Narciso Rodriguez

Mayor & Raúl Esparza.