Archived News 2004

First-ever Moondance gala on the Esplanade raises funds for priority park projects

On Saturday evening, September 18, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan that had deluged Boston early in the day moved on just in time for supporters of the Esplanade to walk across the Arthur Fiedler Bridge and into the wonderland that was Moondance, the inaugural gala to benefit the Esplanade. Event chairs Cynthia and Michael George, Shelly and Ofer Nemirovsky, and Jeryl and Steve Oristaglio joined with Esplanade Association President Sharon Malt to welcome the black-tie party goers to an evening that included dinner and dancing, an auction and raffle.

Ellen Roy Herzfelder, Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, thanked the Esplanade Association for the dedication, hard work, and partnership in their efforts to improve the Esplanade. She was greeted with loud applause when she announced how pleased she was that the Esplanade Association—prior to tonight’s event--had raised the private funding to match the state’s $250,000 challenge grant to renovate docks badly in need of repair on the Esplanade. The Esplanade Association will be one of the first grant recipients under Governor Romney’s “Fix It First” mandate.

Perhaps inspired by that news, Moondance guests were enthusiastic in their bidding during the live auction which raised an astounding $190,000 from 10 items. The highest bids were for a private dinner for 12 with George Tenet, former CIA director, in the winning bidder’s home. So heated was the competition that Tenet offered himself twice, for two separate bids of $45,000. An exciting Red Sox package for four, a fan’s dream, fetched $19,000.

A highlight of the sold-out Moondance event was the announcement of the Arthur Fiedler Achievement Award, which the Esplanade Association has created to commemorate the remarkable achievement of Arthur Fiedler in founding the tradition of Esplanade concerts, a legacy that benefits the generations of citizens, the musical arts, and the Esplanade as a vital public park. Peter Fiedler, son of the late maestro, was present to thank the Esplanade Association for honoring his father’s contributions with the creation of this award on the 75th Anniversary of the first Esplanade concert.

The Moondance evening’s proceeds, which exceeded $250,000, will help fund Esplanade Association priority projects and programs which include renovation of the Arthur Fiedler foot bridge, planning for the Charlesbank Renewal Project, community enrichment and outreach programs, dock replacement, restoration of the granite landings, repair of the Lotta Fountain, tree and landscape care and renewal, and water fountain replacement.

Moondance Auction Champions
B.R Guest Restaurants
Boston Pops, Keith Lockhart
Boston Sports Club
Carnegie Abbey
Cartier
Davel Chauffeured Transportation
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Gondola Di Venezia
L’Espalier
Ralph Lauren
Radius Restaurant
Red Sox Foundation
REI
Saks Fifth Avenue
Song
The Sports Club/LA

Moondance Friends
Be Our Guest
Cone
Keene Advertising
marlo marketing/communications
Mass Envelope Plus
MAX Ultimate Food
Mercer Public Relations
Peterson Party Center
Rafanelli Events
Top of the Hub Restaurant
United Liquors
Winston Flowers

Esplanade Stars
Arnold Worldwide
Brush Depot
Carpenter & Company
Cashman Construction
CBA Landscape Architects
Economy Homeware and Hardware
Hampshire House
Home Depot
Lippincott Mercer
Mahoney’s Garden Center
Millennium Partners-Boston
Mugar Enterprises, Inc.
O’Brien & Sons
One Charles
Putnam
Plum TV
Project Power
Sequoia Construction
Stop and Shop
The Beacon Hill Times
The Boston Courant
The Ritz Carlton Tower
Whole Foods Market

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The Esplanade Association
10 Derne Street
Boston, MA 02114
617.227.0365