The Lycée Français de New York (LFNY) will hold its 17th annual Gala on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Park Avenue Armory, welcoming over 900 guests in an evening dedicated to the pursuit of bold dreams. At the Gala, the LFNY will honor Gad Elmaleh, the French-Moroccan comedian and actor who has defied cultural and linguistic boundaries with extraordinary passion and dedication to his art.
Led this year by co-chairs Ranika Cohen, Vanessa Landau and Mariu Tovar, the LFNY Gala is the most important fundraising effort each year for the school’s need-based scholarship program. During the Gala, the LFNY raises about $2 million with proceeds also directed to support its academic, co-curricular and cultural programs.
The 2016 Gala, “Dream Big: Fêtes des Rêves Immenses,” celebrates the importance for students of having daring dreams for the future and of pursuing them with creativity, courage and compassion. This theme reflects the school’s commitment to inspiring its young people to dream of the future as they believe it should be, and to nurturing in them the will to transform their dreams into reality.
“The LFNY community is thrilled to be honoring Gad Elmaleh, who has pursued his own extraordinary dreams with remarkable boldness, dedication and sensitivity to the delight of us all,” said Sean Lynch, Head of School. “Our international community finds a natural affinity with Mr. Elmaleh, a person of multiple languages, including French, Hebrew, Arabic and English. We also celebrate his gift for understanding and bridging cultures through the joy of laughter.”
During the Gala, Gad Elmaleh will receive the Charles de Ferry de Fontnouvelle award, named for the LFNY’s founder. Past recipients of the award include Christine Lagarde, Charlie Rose, Thierry Henry, Jean Paul Gaultier and the artist JR.
“We are very grateful to Mr. Elmaleh for his participation in this important event in the life of the Lycée Français de New York and one that is essential to helping us grow our financial support to students who might not otherwise be able to attend the school,” added Mr. Lynch.
About Gad Elmaleh
Gad Elmaleh, guest of honor of the LFNY Gala 2016.
Gad Elmaleh, born in Morocco, began his career in France, where he rose to fame with his autobiographical 1997 one-man show Décalages. He has since created four one-man stand-up shows, touring internationally and also appearing in over ten feature films, including Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen and the Adventures of Tintin by Steven Spielberg. In 2006, he received France’s highest honor in the arts, the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Mr. Elmaleh is the first Francophone stand-up comedian to tour the United States. He is currently realizing a new dream, creating and performing in a series of live shows in English to English-speaking audiences with sold-out performances at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater in New York City this fall and winter.
About the Lycée Français de New York
With 1,370 students from some 50 countries, the Lycée Français de New York (LFNY) is one of the most renowned bilingual schools in the world. Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and celebrating 80 years in 2015, the LFNY builds on the best of French and American educational principles to create a uniquely inspiring learning experience for students which equips them to thrive in a highly connected, constantly evolving world. The LFNY is a non-profit, independent and private coeducational institution chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, and accredited by the French Ministry of National Education and by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS).
To purchase tickets for Gala 2016, visit: lfnygala.org
Media Contacts:
Elisabeth King, Director of Communications +1 212 439 3859
eking@lfny.org
Cécile Gregoriades, Senior Communications Manager +1 212 439 3851
cgregoriades@lfny.org
About the Author :
After gaining considerable experience in fund-raising for non-profit cultural organizations, notably the London Symphony Orchestra and The Shakespeare Globe Theater, Ms. Putt has led development programs at two independent schools in New York City. She worked as the director of the annual fund at the Trevor Day School, and for the past three years she has been the associate director of development at Marymount School, where she has played an essential role in the volunteering, fund-raising, communications and overall advancement successes of this institution.