By Audrey J. Bernard

  Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) held its 2019 Mask Ball Gala on Monday, October 21, 2019, in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s Plaza Hotel. Initially, guests mingling in the plush Terrace Room at a convivial reception followed by a New Orleans-style second line procession that led guests to the magnificent Grand Ballroom that was transformed into a golden paradise, replete with touches of elaborate New Orleans-style flair coordinated by Ovando Flowers and just perfect for the royal dining experience which followed!

  Eric Pryor, President, HSA, welcomed a sold-out crowd and announced that through generous donations, HSA raised over $1 million and set record-breaking attendance in support of world-class art education programs in our community.

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  Oh what a night! Guests came dressed to impress with many donning beautiful masks to illustrate the creative interpretations of the evening’s theme.

  The program included inspiring words from honorees Dorothy and Lupita Nyong, Michelle Ebanks and Racquel Oden.  Lori Stokes, anchor, Fox 5 Good Day New York served as Mistress of Ceremonies and was joined on the podium by HSA student Jabari King who wowed the crowd with his charm, confidence and youthful wisdom. Entertainment was provided by HSA’s Alumi All-Stars featuring Desmond Scaife on vocals and Majid Khaliq on the violin who thrilled the crowd with a special rendition of George Bensons “The Masquerade.” This event was elegantly produced by Dwight Johnson Design.

  In his closing remarks Pryor thanked everyone who helped and said, “Together we can enrich thousands of lives through the arts, one child at a time!”

  Harlem School of the Arts was founded in 1964 by soprano Dorothy Maynor. It achieves its mission on-site at the Herb Alpert Center where it offers high quality, affordable, arts training in dance, music, theatre, and visual art to ethnically and socio-economically diverse young people aged 2-18.