Unsung No More!
2011 Awards Ceremony recognizes our local "heroes" |
On June 7, 2011, LANDMARK WEST! welcomed 250 of its nearest and dearest to the Upper West Side party of the year!
Now, that's a big statement, we kno
 | Master of Ceremonies Robert White leads us
on a West Side-themed sing-a-long. |
w. But if you should need proof that the evening's celebration was truly significant, look no further than our program. Gathered there are some of the most dedicated, persistent, effective, inspired, and inspiring leaders in our community. And because this is the Upper West Side, that is saying a helluva lot!
As one of this year's Unsung Heroes, Roberta Brandes Gratz, said more than 25 years ago, when she helped found LW! to stand up for and watch over this neighborhood's wonerful and unique character, "[West Siders are] known for being obstinate. We're known for being neurotic. And we're known for being fighters." It's a reputation to be proud of, and each one of this year's Heroes embodies some version of this special West Side spirit.
 | | LW's Kate Wood addresses the audience. |
It's a tradition of having the Unsung Heroes awards in spaces that are hidden gems. We've had it in the ravishing landmark interior of Apple Bank for Savings (formerly Central Savings Bank) at Verdi Square. We've had it in the old Horn & Hardart Automat on West 72nd Street. And few will forget the extraordinary former ballroom of the Hotel des Artistes on West 67th Street from our wards in 2008 and 2009. For the 2011 awards, we gathered in the spectacular David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center (click here to make a virtual visit!), recently transformed by the architects Tod Williams & Bille Tsien (our special guests for the evening), a public space that is fast becoming a vibrant and beloved anchor of our neighborhood.
The "hidden gems" metaphor is apt for our Unsung Heroes, some of whom have been more "sung" than others, but never for their unique contributions to the preservation of the Upper West Side. All of them have in common that what they do, they do not for glamour or glory, but for the purpose of making this neighborhood, this city, a far better place. And they have succeeded. Because of them, the West Side is one of the most beautiful, livable, appreciated and beloved places on earth. And who better to sing their praises than our Master of Ceremonies, Robert White ... and this Upper West Sider can sing! Just ask one of the six American presidents he has performed for or his colleagues at Juilliard and CUNY!
For our friends who were able to join us for this magical night of revelry, may the photos below (and here, in our Flickr album!) serve as a reminder of our whimsical evening. You can also watch our awardee slideshow from the evening on our YouTube channel. For those unable to attend, we hope to see you at another event in 2011. Thank you, all!
 | | Acclaimed graphic artist Milton Glaser accepts his award. |
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 | | John Canon of the American Youth Hostel (Amsterdam Ave. at 104th St.) and Dan Allen of Cutsogeorge Tooman & Allen Architects accepts the award for Exterior Preservation from Kate Wood and Robert White.. |
|
 | After receiving the Archival A-Team Award, along with his fellow researcher and
writer Suzanne Braley, author and NY Times columnist Christopher Gray honors
LW's Arlene Simon with "the Golden Bulldozer Award" for her many years
of preservation advocacy (as seen in this email header!). |
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See more pictures from our 2011
Unsung Heroes of the Upper West Side Awards Ceremony
by visiting our Flick album! |
 | | Educator Samantha Deutsch accepts the Future Generations Award. |
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 | | Roberta Brandes Gratz with Kate Wood and Robert White after receiving her award. |
|
See more pictures from our 2011
Unsung Heroes of the Upper West Side Awards Ceremony
by visiting our Flick album! |
 | Arlene and Bruce Simon congratulate award recipient
Margarita Curet, center, for her leadership at Amsterdam Houses. |
|
See more pictures from our 2011
Unsung Heroes of the Upper West Side Awards Ceremony
by visiting our Flick album! |
