NEW YORK CELEBRATES ART AND EDUCATION AT CASITA MARIA’S FIESTA 2025 GALA AT THE PLAZA HOTEL

The grand ballroom of The Plaza Hotel was alive with music, color, and purpose as Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education hosted its annual Fiesta Gala, chaired by Jacqueline Weld Drake and Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia. This year’s celebration honored Kamie Lightburn, Tina Vidal-Duart, and Barbara Tober, three women recognized for their extraordinary leadership and dedication to community, culture, and education.

In a surprise appearance, Mayor Eric Adams addressed the crowd of more than 500 guests, delivering remarks that underscored the heart of Casita Maria’s mission: “Tonight is an important event. I love this city—it’s not because of the buildings, or the infrastructure. It’s because of the people. New York is made up of the greatest people on the globe. What’s important is how we give back, and that is what Casita Maria is doing… Your donations give opportunity.”

The evening paid tribute to philanthropist Kamie Lightburn, who shared, “Casita Maria elevates these families and communities through arts, culture, and education—something I love.” Lightburn’s philanthropic work spans education, public health, and cultural initiatives across New York City. Honoree Tina Vidal-Duart, a leader in medical and disaster relief services, added, “Casita Maria has, for generations, transformed lives through art and education. A wise woman told me that children are our greatest asset, and that woman was Jackie Weld.”

The Jacqueline Weld Drake Living Legend Award was presented to Barbara Tober, who received a heartfelt tribute from Weld Drake herself: “Barbara, always beautiful and graceful—at age ninety-one, she remains ever steadfast and practical. Barbara is who I want to be when I grow up.” Accepting the honor, Tober reflected, “Casita Maria is one of those places that carries that same spirit of community and creativity. Thousands of young people depend upon it for their growing and learning years.”

Executive Director Felix Urrutia, alongside trustee Sissi Fleitas, welcomed guests and celebrated Casita Maria’s 91st anniversary. “Every year, this event raises the funds that keep our programs going and allow us to bring art and opportunity to children and families in the South Bronx,” noted Fleitas, adding, “It wouldn’t be a Casita Maria Fiesta without music and dancing!”

The ballroom came alive as an impressive roster of guests filled the dance floor until midnight. Attending were members of the Casita Maria Board of Directors and Trustees, including Martha Bograd, George Corton, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, Michèle Gerber-Klein, Alberto Mariaca, Gautam Patel, and Jean Shafiroff. Among the artistic highlights was a mural by Bronx artist August Quinn, proudly displayed as part of the Plaza Ballroom décor, with his parents Topper Quinn and Bianca Pratt-Simon in attendance.

Other distinguished guests included Steven Aronson, Muffie Potter Aston, Yanna Avis, Peter Bacanovic, David Beer, Cece and Lee Black, Mercedes Bograd, Janna Bullock, Halim Bulos, Sharon Bush, Lord and Lady Cavendish, Olivia Tournay Flatto, Rick Frieberg and Francine LeFrak, Lee Fryd, Mark Gilbertson, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Susan Gutfreund, Mai Hallingby, Sylvia Hemingway, Sharon Hoge, Susan Jaffe, Natalia and Peter Kanavos, Sophia Kanavos, Eleanora Kennedy, Karen Klopp, Margo Langenberg, Jeanne Lawrence, Harrison LeFrak, William Ivey Long, Alicia Lubowski-Jahn, Ellie Manko, Christopher Mason, Ann Nitze, Carlos Picon, Paola Bacchini Rosenshein, Joyce Ravid and Lionel Tiger, Mary Snow, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Indira Cesarine, Timo Weiland, Frederick Anderson, Omar Hernandez, Christopher Walling, Sabrina Wirth, and Victoria Wyman.

Since its founding in 1934 by Claire and Elizabeth Sullivan and Sister Mary Imelda, Casita Maria has served as a vital arts, education, and cultural hub for the South Bronx community. Today, the organization continues to honor that legacy through its six-story Simpson Street campus, offering performance spaces, dance and music studios, and educational programs that empower New York’s next generation of artists and leaders.

View select images in our photo gallery, with photography by Patrick McMullan/Getty Images and John Sanderson/Annie Watt Agency