Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy raises $1.6M at annual black tie ball

Matt Damon, Matthew Rhys, other celebs join civic leaders

October 10, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Former pro basketball player JJ Reddick with comedian and TV personality Seth Meyers. Photos by Alexa Hoyer

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The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy raised more than $1.6 million for park programming at its 10th annual Brooklyn Black Tie Ball at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2.

The ball, held Thursday, honored Sylvana Durrett, founder and CEO of Maisonette, a clothing and decor boutique business for kids and babies; and civic leaders Peter Aschkenasy and Pamela Brier.

Aschkenasy is the owner of Concert Foods and a former owner of the Oyster Bar, the Rainbow Room. Gage & Tollner and other establishments. He sits on the board of BRIC, Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp. and other well-known organizations.

Seen here at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Black Tie Ball are Matt Damon, Keri Russell, Seth Meyers, Jennifer Connolly, Alexi Ashe and Paul Bettany.

Brier is the former president and CEO of Maimonides Medical Center in Borough Park. Before that, she headed Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx and Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan.

Party guests included Academy and Golden Globe award-winning actor Matt Damon; Emmy award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated actor Matthew Rhys; Golden Globe Award winner and Emmy-nominated actress Keri Russell; comedian and late-night TV host Seth Meyers; NBA veteran and co-founder of Threefourtwo Productions JJ Redick; Golden Globe nominated actor Paul Rudd; luxury fashion designer Ulla Johnson; and many other show business, sports and fashion celebrities.

Civic leaders Chris Coffey, Nancy Webster and Eric Landau with award-winning actor Matthew Rhys.

Of course, Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation President Eric Landau; Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Board Chair Chris Coffey and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Executive Director Nancy Webster were also there.

Fulfilling Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s vision for turning a neglected strip of waterfront into a verdant public space more than 35 years ago, Brooklyn Bridge Park has provided Brooklyn with an extraordinary place to play, learn, connect and be inspired.

Honoree Sylvana Durrett, at the podium, with Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell,

The Conservancy works in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation to produce over 400 free and low-cost arts and culture, environmental education and recreation events each season. Events this season included the Conservancy’s signature outdoor film series Movies With A View, dance parties, live music, kayaking, Waterfront Workouts, stewardship opportunities, fishing clinics and more.