On Tuesday, October 22, toasts will be made and paddles will be raised and music will be played as Greenwich House hosts its annual Fall Gala at City Winery. Paying tribute to three outstanding leaders in the Greenwich House Arts Community – German Diez, Piano Chair of Greenwich House Music School; David Gibson, Greenwich House Pottery Faculty; and Eli Koenig Volunteer Chair of the Theatre Desk at Judith C. White Senior Center – Greenwich House will celebrate their astounding influence in their respective programs while raising funds for Greenwich House arts programs, supporting scholarships, concerts, public school outreach, exhibitions, and free classes for seniors.
For over a century, Greenwich House has served as an artistic incubator for New Yorkers young and old alike. This venerable non-profit organization is steeped in Greenwich Village history, with its Arts programs leading the way in enriching the lives of all New Yorkers through classes, concerts, exhibitions, master classes and lectures at our Pottery, Music School, Senior Centers and After-School and Summer Arts Camp.
The event’s gifted honorees exemplify Greenwich House’s artistic mission through their teaching and their tenacity for the love of the arts. Chairman of the Piano Department at the Music School since 1969, German Diez has taught over 1,500 students in his tenure of over half a century. His influence can be seen in every aspect of the school’s operations, including the way it gauges student progress through student recitals and end of year concerts. Mr. Diez elevated the school’s stature when he established the Piano Master Class Series over twenty years ago, which has featured renowned pianists, such as Joseph Bloch, Sam Sanders, Seymour Bernstein, David Dubal, Jeffery Swann and Sara Davis Buechner.
David Gibson, or “Pottery Dave,” as he is affectionately known, is a faculty member of Greenwich House Pottery. Beginning his career with The Pottery as Resident Artist in 2005, Mr. Gibson quickly became a staple around the Pottery and Greenwich House. Expressing his commitment to education and love of ceramics, Mr. Gibson introduced classes to the toddlers at the Barrow Street Nursery School at Greenwich House, inspiring artists as young as 3 and 4 years old.
Eli Koenig, perhaps the grounding force that has allowed seniors to take advantage of the cultural hub that is New York City, is the Volunteer Chair of the Theater Desk at the Judith C. White Senior Center. After taking the reins over 25 years ago, Mr. Koenig has built a database with hundreds of theater, dance and music venue contacts, providing seniors with affordable performances to some of New York’s most outstanding performances. Not only has Mr. Koenig established diverse and extensive relationships that have nourished the community, he has generated thousands of dollars in donations supporting Greenwich House Senior Center programs and the non-profit theater companies that graciously contribute tickets to Greenwich House. It is Mr. Koenig’s spirit and love of live performances that inspires others at the Center to embrace the city’s cultural assets.
In addition to the clinking of cocktail glasses, delicious food and heartfelt tributes for the honorees, the evening will feature a live auction and live musical entertainment by jazz harpist Brandee Younger, Grammy nominated Eroica Trio and 3-time Tony Award and Grammy winner, Bobby Lopez, co-creator of Avenue Q andThe Book of Mormon.
Asan institution, Greenwich House isthe home for artistic exploration. Creativity can be seen in every nook and cranny of the House – from its arts programming to its social services – and it believes that financial burdens should not disenfranchise those seeking a creative outlet. The Gala’s fundraising purpose is to continue to keep creativity alive through the support of scholarships, concerts, public school outreach, exhibitions and free classes for seniors for now and for hundreds of years to come.
For more information about the Greenwich House Arts Gala, please visit http://www.greenwichhouse.org .
