The Museum of the City of New York's Gala: Gotham Dreams

In a spectacular evening that brought together cultural icons from across New York’s sports, media, and entertainment worlds, the Museum of the City of New York hosted its most successful Gala in the institution’s 102-year history, generating over 2.5 million dollars. Honoring Candace Bushnell, the bestselling author and creator of Sex and the City; Carmelo Anthony, 10-time NBA All-Star and Class of 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee; and John McEnroe, Hall of Fame tennis legend, New York Times #1 Best Seller, and philanthropist, the event celebrated individuals whose work has profoundly shaped New York City.

Guests were treated to a powerful short film highlighting the impact of the Museum’s educational programs, a fireside chat featuring the honorees in conversation with Matt Brown, MCNY’s Board Chair, and an electrifying performance by Tony-Award winner Darren Criss, who concluded the event by leading the 650 guests in a rendition of New York, New York.

With a record-breaking turnout and overwhelming support from patrons and partners, the night underscored the Museum’s role as a dynamic space for celebrating the city’s enduring spirit.

Photos from the Gotham Dreams Gala

Gala Co-Chairs

Elizabeth Belfer • Chris Brown • Marisa and Matt Brown • Christy and Ed Burns • Cynthia and Bernard Curry III • Todd DeGarmo • Patricia and Alexander Farman-Farmaian • Ayla and Antonio Farnos • Meredith and Brian Feurtado • Stephanie Hessler • Elizabeth and Robert A Jeffe • Cindy and Stephen Ketchum • Stanford G. and Sandra T. Ladner • Ronay and Richard Menschel •  Tracey and Kenneth Pontarelli • Jennifer Prosek • Alex Roepers •  Toby Milstein Schulman and Judah Schulman • Margaret Sung and Michael Schmidtberger • Kelvin Thompson • Heather and William Vrattos •  Nicole Washington

Lead Corporate Partners

Apollo Global Management • Ares • Blue Owl • Hugo Boss • Butler Snow • CAIS • Finley Point Strategy • Kinderhook • Montarosa • Sidley Austin • Sound Point Capital • STUDIOS • Vista Equity • WME

Corporate Sponsors

Atlantic Investments • Avenue Capital Group • Bank of America • Brightstar • Calamos • Canyon • Carlyle • Churchill • Citco • Consello • Davidson Kempner • Ernst & Young • EvensonBest • Eversheds Sutherland •  Fortress •  Franklin Templeton •  FT Partners • Global Emerging Markets •  GoldenTree • Golub Capital • Grafine Partners • Guggenheim • Hamilton Lane •  Hines • Jack Foley & Stewart Title • Kirkland & Ellis • Monroe Capital • Morgan Stanley • Global Sports & Entertainment • OHA Partners Group • Prosek Partners • Rohatyn Group • RBC Capital Markets • Silvercrest •  Stewart • Stone Point Capital • TD • TGP