BHT Winter Dance

The evening will feature beautiful Italian wines and desserts, the swinging sounds of Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks in the Grand Ballroom, the traditional Troupe sing, and disco in the Tap Room until the wee hours! And there will be prizes for the best costumes!

Of course, there will also be fabulous raffle prizes! Raffle tickets are $2 each and 12 for $20 and can be purchased with or without a ticket purchase. You do not have to attend the Ball to collect your raffle winnings.

Click Here to View Raffle prizes (click again to collapse)

A Night at the Opera with F. Paul Driscoll (Value Priceless)
Join F. Paul Driscoll, managing editor of Opera News and Trouper extraordinaire, for dinner and the Metropolitan Opera premiere of Attila on Tuesday, February 23. Conductor Riccardo Muti makes his Met debut with one of Verdi’s rousing early operas, as this story of civilization’s encounter with barbarism is explored in a new production by director Pierre Audi. Some of the brightest lights in contemporary design, including Miuccia Prada and the architecture team of Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron (the 2008 Beijing Olympics “Bird’s Nest” stadium), have created the costumes and scenery. Ildar Abdrazakov sings the title role, joined by Violeta Urmana, Ramón Vargas, and Carlos Alvarez.
Courtesy of F. Paul Driscoll

Another Night of Italian Opera at the Met! (Value $205)
Enjoy the Met’s new production of Tosca on April 14 from two beautiful seats in the Dress Circle, Row E. “Tosca combines Puccini’s glorious musical inspiration with the melodramatic vitality of one of the great Hitchcock films,” says Music Director James Levine. Karita Mattila, who is singing the title role for the first time at the Met, says, “At first I thought, ‘How will it feel to kill somebody on stage?’ But Tosca is like an action movie, and the drama just happens.” Luc Bondy, acclaimed for his imaginative theater and opera productions, directs. Jonas Kaufmann sings Cavaradossi, and Bryn Terfel is Scarpia.
Courtesy of Barbara and Robert Erskine

Danny Meyer Invites You to Dinner (Value $150)
Renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer and renowned Trouper Audrey Meyer invite you to dinner at Maialino, Mr. Meyer’s beautifully sophisticated yet warm and welcoming Roman-style trattoria in the lobby of the Gramercy Hotel.
Courtesy of Audrey and Danny Meyer

Be a VIP at the Metropolitan Museum (Value Priceless)
Enjoy a privately guided tour for up to six guests through the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Your choice of dates, including Monday, when the museum is closed.
Courtesy of Emily Rafferty

A Case of Beautiful Italian Wine (Value $198)
For the wine connoisseur, a lovely case of Sangiovese/Teroldego, “I Pampini,” Fattoria Fubbiano (Tuscany) 1999
Courtesy of Audrey and Danny Meyer

Original Artwork by Anne Auberjonois (Value Priceless)
To add to your collection, a beautiful sketch from Act I of Gondoliers by Anne Auberjonois, who is designing this year’s production with her usual elegance, flair, humor, and ingenuity.
Courtesy of Anne Auberjonois

Straight Talk with Gary Slavin (Value priceless)
Getting ready for an audition or a business presentation? The Troupe’s stage director, Gary Slavin, will help you make the most of the opportunity! Learn what’s funny . . . and what’s not funny . . . how to connect with your audience . . . and how to deliver your message clearly and effectively! After the session, repair to your favorite neighborhood cafe for a small libation, thanks to a $25 gift card from American Express!
Courtesy of Gary Slavin and American Express

Tea for Two with Piano, Too
Have two cups of tea and two piano or music appreciation lessons with BHT music director Zachary Schwartzman. Brew your tea with the contents of a beautiful basket of delicious, organic premium teas and two cups donated by Selina Law of Screen Tea—Selina is a good friend of Lark and Eddee Mason’s.
Courtesy of Zachary Schwartzman and ScreenTea.com

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Coaching with Matt Rupcich
Two 45-minute coaching sessions with Matt Rupcich, the Troupe’s concert/choral director. If you’re preparing for an audition, would like to brush up on technique, get vocal insights, and sing a few songs, here’s your chance! Date, time, and venue must be mutually agreeable.
Courtesy of Matt Rupcich

Comedy Tonight, Plus a Gift Basket of Pastas and the
Harry’s Bar Cookbook from Cipriani! (Value $125)
Two tickets to the Amateur Comedy Club’s spring production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin. Before the performance, sip a Bellini and enjoy a wonderful dinner at home using one of the pastas in this Cipriani gift assortment. Also included in the package is The Harry’s Bar Cookbook, featuring the famous Bellini recipe as well as dozens of others from the legendary bar and restaurant on the Piazza San Marco in Venice.
Courtesy of Scott Glascock and Cipriani

Hey, Gondolieri! It’s La Dolce Vita!
After a tough day on the Grand Canal, pamper yourself with these products from Estee Lauder for Men!
Courtesy of Denise Paglina and Estee Lauder

Victoria Goes Venetian! (Value $125)
That special gondolier in your life will appreciate you even more in your new “unmentionables” from Victoria’s Secret! Happy shopping!
Courtesy of Jennifer Dorre

The Camera Doesn’t Lie--You’re Beautiful, Dammit! (Value $500)
A private photo shoot with our brilliant Troupe photographer, Kate Weiman. Your new headshot or family portrait will say it all!
Courtesy of Kate Weiman

Personal Training with the Lovely and Talented . . . (Value $75)
Do we even have to say her name—you know it’s Janet Bushor! A one-hour training session with Janet, our remarkable assistant director/choreographer, whose strengthening and toning technique incorporates elements of yoga, Pilates, low-impact aerobics, and dance. Your apartment or Janet’s workout space.
Courtesy of Janet Bushor

Lasagna Dinner Served in Your Home
A beautiful lasagna dinner (meat or vegetarian) for as many as six guests, prepared by aspiring chef Michael LaVigne and served in your home, with appetizer, salad, dessert, and wine. For the cognoscenti, there will also be a chianti bottle candle and a checkered tablecloth!
Courtesy of Meg Dooley and Peter LaVigne

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannolis (Value $50)
Enjoy some killer cannolis (or other Italian pastries) with this gift certificate from one of New York’s finest Italian bakeries.

Ancient Pottery from Southeast Asia
A beautiful Southeast Asian pottery jar, 19th century or earlier, courtesy of Lark Mason (seen on Antiques Roadshow) and Eddee Mason (seen in the chorus of Gondoliers). This rustic yet elegant jar is perfect for displaying a bough of cherry blossoms or a delicate spray of simple, bare twigs. If you have any more questions about this extraordinary vase, you can always consult the folks on Antiques Roadshow when they come to your town!
Courtesy of Lark and Eddee Mason

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A Season Sampler of Fragrances from
CB I Hate Perfume (Value $270)
The collection includes 100 ml each of To See a Flower Water Perfume, At The Beach 1966 Water Perfume, Burning Leaves Water Perfume, and Winter 1972 Water Perfume. The creator of these remarkable scents, Christopher Brosius, writes, “Many of my favorite scents are based on memories of my childhood: dirt & dandelions, vegetable gardens, walks in the fall woods, snow (which meant school was cancelled), wet rocks from the river and cookies made by my mother and favorite aunt.” He also reminds us that

- Perfume is a veil that reveals the soul
- Perfume is the fanfare of our individuality sounding differently to everyone who listens
- Perfume is a signpost to our true selves – a different journey for the brave to travel

Courtesy of Christopher Brosius of CB I Hate Perfume
(with a little help from Russel Pace)

Photo Shoot with New Trouper Marianne Barcellona (Value $1,000)
New Trouper and veteran photographer Marianne Barcellona offers a digital portrait session for a single person (adult or child, with or without a pet). The session can be in the person's Manhattan home or office, or outdoors if weather permits. Use your wonderful portrait on your website, Facebook page, as a gift for family or friends, or for business promotion.

Gift Certificate for Bar Breton (Value $100)
Enjoy lunch or dinner at this brasserie-style restaurant on Fifth Avenue between 28th and 29th Streets. The menu is inspired by the everyday foods of award-winning chef Cyril Renaud’s native Brittany. Among the offerings of contemporary Breton cuisine are an assortment of galettes, or buckwheat crepes with savory fillings. The cozy, rustic interior will make you feel right at home!

Gift Certificate for Fetch (Value $50)
Buy a round for your fellow Troupers, where everyone knows your name!

Gift Basket from Ceriello Fine Italian Foods
at Grand Central Marketplace
An assortment of delicacies from Ceriello, New York’s own purveyor of hand-crafted, all-natural pasta sauces and other Italian favorites.

Bada BLING (Value $60)
A great, big shiny necklace that even Tony Soprano might find over-the-top! Wear it the next time you want to knock someone’s eye out!
Courtesy Dakota Boutique, Chatham, New York

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And, just think, even while you’re having such a glorious time, you’re also helping the Troupe’s 2010 beneficiary, The New York Foundling. What could be better?