JOIN OUR JOURNEY

Find your history in the current. Let the acclaimed Brooklyn Youth Chorus be your guide as you flow through Port(al), a site-specific, immersive performance where the city’s past, present, and future come together in song.

Your generosity provides mission support for Brooklyn Youth Chorus, empowering young people through access to unparalleled voice training, extraordinary performance opportunities, and a community that nurtures the skills and friendships that set our singers up for a lifetime of success.

You are cordially invited to the 

Brooklyn Youth Chorus Spring Gala: Port(al)

honoring Hank Gutman

Thursday, May 1, 2025

6:00 PM Dinner and Award Presentation
Bldg 303, 9th Floor
Brooklyn Navy Yard 
299 Sands Street, Brooklyn, NY 11025

followed by

8:00 PM The World Premiere of PORT(AL)
Presented by Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Dianne Berkun Menaker, Founder and Artistic Director
Music by Paola Prestini and Jad Abumrad
Libretto by Jad Abumrad and Jessica Grindstaff
Directed by Jessica Grindstaff
Co-Created by Dianne Berkun Menaker, Paola Prestini, Jad Abumrad, and Jessica Grindstaff
Commissioned by Brooklyn Youth Chorus in association with VisionIntoArt
Co-Produced by Brooklyn Youth Chorus and VisionIntoArt

Agger Fish Building
Brooklyn Navy Yard
63 Flushing Avenue, Unit #313, Brooklyn, NY 11025

Dress Code: Brooklyn Chic
Audiences will move through the performance. Seating is limited and flooring is uneven. Appropriate footwear is advised.

TICKETS AND TABLES

All table and ticket donations include listing in the evening’s materials and on the website.

PORT(AL) & DINNER TABLES

$25,000 ADMIRAL’S CIRCLE
Port(al) tickets, head dinner table for 10, meet and greet with Port(al) creative team, post-premiere toast, and recognition during remarks.

$10,000 CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE
Port(al) tickets, premium dinner seating for 10, post-premiere toast, and recognition during remarks.

$7,500 COMMANDER’S CIRCLE
Port(al) tickets, prime dinner seating for 10, and post-premiere toast.

$6,000 LIEUTENANT’S CIRCLE
Port(al) tickets, half dinner table for 6, and post-premiere toast.

$3,000 OFFICER’S CIRCLE
Port(al) tickets, quarter dinner table for 4, and post-premiere toast.

The fair market value of each Port(al) and dinner ticket is $185pp.

PORT(AL) & DINNER TICKETS

$1,000 ANCHOR SUPPORTER
Port(al) ticket, premium dinner seating for 1, and post-premiere toast.

$500 PORTSIDE SUPPORTER
Port(al) ticket, prime dinner seating for 1, and post-premiere toast.

$250 ALUMNI STARBOARD SUPPORTER (for alumni and alumni guests)
Port(al) ticket, dinner seating for 1, and post-premiere toast.

The fair market value of each Port(al) and dinner ticket is $185pp.

PORT(AL) & TOAST TICKETS

$175 COMMUNITY BOW SUPPORTER
Port(al) ticket for 1 and post-premiere toast.

Hank Gutman is in his twelfth year as Chair of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the largest industrial park in the City, where the mission is to promote workforce development and create quality 21st century jobs for those in our community who need them most. Today over 550 Navy Yard tenants employ over 13,000 people and the Yard hosts career oriented educational programs ranging from a first-of-its kind STEAM high school to a graduate film school. Among Hank’s other civic activities, he has spent over 25 years on every version of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Board since the original LDC and he was NYC DOT Commissioner under the prior administration. He is also currently on the boards of the Brooklyn Public Library and St. Ann’s Warehouse. Hank is a retired partner of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, where he Chaired the Intellectual Property Practice group. During his 40 year career, Hank litigated a string of landmark cases for major technology and pharmaceutical companies, including a copyright case in the Supreme Court. He has an active arbitration practice and is a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at New York Law School. He and his family have lived in Brooklyn Heights since 1975.

Gala Committee

Jessica Holloway, Chair
Marissa Alperin
Kristi Avram
Katherine Bartholomaus
Lynn Cole
Meg Gleason
Young Hah
Anna McNeil
Rebecca Ringle Kamarei
Amanda Van Doorene

SPONSORS

Brooklyn Youth Chorus gratefully acknowledges the lead donors of Port(al), without whom this project would not be possible. 

This project is made possible with the generous support of

CHARLES J. AND IRENE F. HAMM

THE DIAMONSTEIN-SPIELVOGEL FOUNDATION
MARC AGGER OF THE AGGER FISH BUILDING
THE ARTHUR F. AND ALICE E. ADAMS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
GARYGRAHAM422  

The commissioning of Port(al) was made possible with major support from The Diamonstein-Spielvogel Youth and Contemporary Music Initiative.

The premiere of Port(al) is dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of the passage of the NYC landmarks law, the legislation that created the Landmarks Preservation commission and established the preservation law in New York City.

Additional Support Provided By:
Jacqueline and Joseph Aguanno
Henry and Karoly Gutman - In Memory of Grace and Bill Gutman

Special thanks to 5Ohm, Duggal Visual Solutions, PRG.

Port(al) was developed with the support of a residency at PS21 Center for Contemporary Performance in Chatham, NY.

Please note that all purchases made by credit card incur a 3% transaction fee.

Please contact Julie Griffith at jgriffith@brooklynyouthchorus.org or 718.243.9447 ext. 226 to learn more about advertising, journal ads, in-kind donations, and sponsorship opportunities.

Tax ID Number: 11-3129249