The starry evening began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and, as a nod to the building's 1943 dedication ceremony, when Mayor LaGuardia conducted the New York Philharmonic, Mayor Bloomberg took the stage to conduct the Encores! Orchestra.
The performance, which was directed by Tony Award winner and former Encores! artistic director Kathleen Marshall, celebrated New York City Center with performances, reminiscences and tributes. Among those those that appeared as speakers or performers were Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Alex Bernstein, Joshua Bell, Denyce Graves, Sarah Jessica Parker, New York City Ballet, Matthew Broderick, Donna Murphy, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Patti LuPone, and Brian Williams.
The evening also featured music direction by Encores! music director Rob Berman.
A post-performance dinner was held at Cipriani 42nd Street.
