November 2014 Events Worthy Of A Toast
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
During the weekend of November 15th, 2014, all eyes were focused on New York City and Hollywood. Two star-studded events took place that brought out the best of the best to receive awards and support their fellow recipients.
The Annual Power Women Gala is considered the most coveted event to recognize the women that have inspired us throughout the year with acts of courage and confidence and leadership. New York Moves Magazine and Disaronno feted the accomplishments of inspirational females at the annual Power Women Gala in New York City.
Ambiance at the New York Moves annual Power Women Awards sponsored by Disaronno.
Red carpet attendees and recipients of the awards included Betsy Brandt (Actress, Breaking Bad), Saffron Burrows (Actress, Name of the Father), Lidia Bastianich (Emmy Award winning TV host and Restaurateur), Ashleigh Banfield (Host CNN’s Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Congresswoman), Krystal Ball (Co-host MSNBC’s The Cycle) Jill Bolte Taylor(scientist and Ted talk phenom) and Alicia Menendez (host on the Fusion Network). Although Katie Holmes (Actress), Christie Brinkley (Actress/Model), Cherie Blair (CBE and wife of Tony Blair), Sandra Lee (Emmy Award winning Chef and TV Host) and Nikki Renée Daniels (Actress) were unable to attend, they too were recognized for their dedication in 2014. Matt LeBlanc played host to this distinguished award ceremony, honoring the women who have made a mark for themselves and becoming mentors for future generations. LeBlanc stressed that he hoped his daughter would find strength and inspiration from these stories for her own life.
Matt LeBlanc hosts the New York Moves annual Power Women Awards sponsored by Disaronno.
Matt LeBlanc and his step daughter at the New York Moves annual Power Women Awards sponsored by Disaronno.
Women were represented in all facets of business, entertainment, politics, journalism and science. Although not too large in size, it made for a more intimate gathering and the sit-down dinner that took place during the awards was hosted by Arianna Huffington, who gave a poignant speech stressing the importance of adequate sleep and relaxation. MC and comedian Dena Blizzard kept the room laughing throughout the evening. She instated a little award of her own- declaring that the power woman with the funniest acceptance speech would receive a special prize. This kept the night light and collegial as the women rose to the challenge, keeping everyone smiling throughout the ceremony.
Arianna Huffington hosted the New York Moves annual Power Women Awards sponsored by Disaronno.
New York Moves Magazine circulated their annual power issue at the event. On the cover was Arianna Huffington and Matt LeBlanc along with Katie Holmes and Terrance Howard. These individuals are all considered ‘milestone makers’ in society today.
After the awards were handed out and congratulations and acceptance speeches applauded, guests made their way to the Disaronno after-party, which was blue-grassed themed. Disaronno brand ambassador Paul Sevigny was on-site mixing up variations of the signature Disaronno Sour, incorporating fresh jams and marmalades in flavors such as cherry, strawberry, fig, apricot, and raspberry with herbs such as rosemary, mint and basil. Guests had the opportunity to mix and match their own customized Disaronno Sour, which received rave reviews from the crowd. The guests stayed to mingle and listen to the blue-grass band while sipping the tasty drinks from customized mason jars. It was a memorable evening for all.
Ashleigh Banfield at the New York Moves annual Power Women Awards sponsored by Disaronno
Clear across the country, another event was being held that lit up Hollywood with energy and enticement. Moët & Chandon helped kick-off the awards season with the Hollywood Film Awards at the Hollywood Palladium. Honorees included some of the biggest names in Hollywood such as Keira Knightley, Michael Keaton, Steve Carell, Benedict Cumberbatch, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Shailene Woodley, Eddie Redmayne, Jean-Marc Vallée, Julianne Moore, Robert Duvall, Jack O’Connell, Mike Myers, Chris Rock and many more. The cameras flashed as the stars made their way down the Red Carpet and into the Palladium.
Ambiance of the event thanks to Moet & Chandon
Benedict Cumberbatch, who recently announced his engagement to girlfriend Sophie Hunter, nabbed the Hollywood Actor Award for his role as English mathematician and WWII code-breaker Alan Turing in ‘The Imitation Game’. Co-star Keira Knightly,wearing an ethereal white dress, won for best supporting actress and the pair were seen toasting to each other with glasses of Moët & Chandon Impérial.
Benedict Cumberbatch toasting with Moet & Chandon
The full list of winners includes:
Hollywood Film Award: Gone Girl
Hollywood Actor Award: Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game
Hollywood Actress Award: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Hollywood Career Achievement Award: Michael Keaton, Birdman
Hollywood Director Award: Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game
Hollywood Ensemble Award: Foxcatcher cast
Hollywood Documentary Award: Supermensch
New Hollywood Award: Jack O’Connell, Unbroken
Hollywood Comedy Film Award:: Chris Rock, Top Five
Hollywood Animation Award: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Hollywood Supporting Actor Award: Robert Duvall, The Judge
Hollywood Supporting Actress Award: Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game
Hollywood Breakout Performance Actress Award: Shailene Woodley, The Fault in Our Stars
Hollywood Breakthrough Director Award: Jean-Marc Vallée, Wild
Hollywood Breakout Performance Actor Award: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
Hollywood Screenwriter Award: Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl
Hollywood Song Award: Janelle Monae, “What is Love” for Rio 2
Hollywood Blockbuster Award: Guardians of the Galaxy
Gerard Butler celebrating with Moet & Chandon
Those awards handed out but not televised were given to:
Hollywood Cinematography Award: Emmanuel Lubezki, Birdman
Hollywood Visual Effects Award: Scott Farrar, Transformers: Age of Extinction
Hollywood Film Composer Award: Alexandre Desplat, The Imitation Game
Hollywood Costume Design Award: Milena Canonero, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Hollywood Editing Award: Jay Cassidy and Dody Dorn, Fury
Hollywood Production Design Award: Dylan Cole and Gary Freeman, Maleficent
Hollywood Sound Award: Ren Klyce, Gone Girl
Hollywood Make-Up and Hairstyling Award: David White (Special Make-up Effects) and Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou (Hair Designer and Make-up Designer), Guardians of the Galaxy
Kristen Stewart enjoying the moment with Moet & Chandon
This special weekend celebrated on both coasts is only the beginning of a few months of award ceremonies that we can look forward to. The Red Carpet will continue to be rolled out to make way for some of the most revered stars in the entertainment industry as well as some of the most esteemed leaders of our time.
Steve Carell and Channing Tatum share a moment with Moet & Chandon
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NIKE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
