Latest news with #FreeFridayNights
Elle
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
TLC, a Milestone Anniversary, and $6 Million Raised: Inside the Star-Studded Whitney Gala
Last night, New York's art world turned out in style to celebrate a milestone moment at the 2025 Whitney Gala. The annual soirée marked a decade since the museum's move to its downtown home in the Meatpacking District—and the 10-year anniversary of the Max Mara Whitney bag. Adding to the festivities, the evening shattered records, raising an impressive $6 million in support of the museum. Hosted by the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, with honorary co-chairs Judy and Leonard Lauder, the gala drew a dazzling roster of attendees including Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, Claire Danes, Laura Harrier, Jordan Roth, and Nicky and Kathy Hilton. Set against the backdrop of the museum's soaring galleries, the evening paid tribute to three influential figures whose work has left an indelible mark on the art world: acclaimed artist Amy Sherald, esteemed curator and scholar Barbara Haskell, and devoted patron Richard DeMartini. The Whitney's mission to celebrate American art—both past and present—was powerfully reflected throughout the evening. Sherald, best known for her portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama, delivered a moving speech reflecting on her artistic journey. 'When I first began painting portraits, I wasn't trying to make history. I just wanted to offer images that looked like the world I come from—ordinary and extraordinary at the same time,' she explained. 'Art has given me a way to process the world, to imagine new ones, and to leave something behind that speaks when I'm not in the room.' Standing in a space that once felt out of reach, Sherald's words echoed a powerful sentiment first voiced by Obama herself at the 2015 opening of the Whitney's downtown home—remarks revisited by museum director Scott Rothkopf during the gala. 'There are so many kids in this country who look at places like museums and think, 'That's not a place for me,'' Obama had said. Rothkopf reflected on how the Whitney has embraced that challenge, working to 'open our doors as wide as possible'—a mission now realized through inclusive initiatives like Free Friday Nights and Free Second Sundays. Haskell, who has dedicated five decades to the Whitney, delivered a heartfelt speech. 'We did everything from curating shows to planting tomatoes with the director on the roof,' she recalled. 'Despite its growth, the Whitney has remained a family.' And just when it seemed the night had peaked, guests were treated to a surprise performance by TLC. As glasses were raised in tribute to the past decade—and in anticipation of the future—the energy in the room made it clear: the Whitney's doors aren't just wide open; they're paving the way for the next generation of American art. Scroll through below for a closer look inside.
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
eMLS CUP 2025: WHERE GAMING, SOCCER, AND CULTURE COLLIDE
Major League Soccer and EA SPORTS Join Forces for One Night Only to Celebrate the Intersection of Sports Fandom and Culture at the Whitney Museum in New York City NEW YORK , Feb. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 12 - 14, 2025, Major League Soccer (MLS) and EA SPORTS FC PRO are presenting eMLS Cup Week 2025, which consists of a three-day event that will lead up to the eMLS Cup Final on Friday, March 14 at the Whitney Museum of American Art. This culminating event – coinciding with Whitney's Free Friday Nights – will merge gaming, sports, music, and art. **Media assets can be found here ** The eMLS Cup Final and the Whitney's Free Friday Nights event are both free and open to the public. Free tickets are required and can be reserved via RSVP. eMLS fans worldwide can tune in via live coverage on Twitch or YouTube. Featuring elite EA SPORTS FC 25 competition with participation from some of the world's best, eMLS Cup 2025 will also feature a panel discussion with emerging and established athletes, high-energy music performances, and immersive art experiences. The blending of these engaging elements will showcase the future of sports, gaming, and digital fandom. 'eMLS Cup bridges the excitement of matchday with the world of competitive EA SPORTS FC gaming, broadening the growing reach of Major League Soccer and building relationships with new fans.' said Camilo Durana, MLS EVP. 'We're excited to showcase eMLS in New York City and to fans around the world.' Four Core Programs Define 2025 eMLS Cup Week: 2025 eMLS Cup Final – March 14 at the Whitney Museum TIME: 11am - 3pm ET (99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014) North America's top EA SPORTS FC competitors will battle for a $50,000 prize pool and two spots in the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship. The event will be co-streamed with EA SPORTS FC, serving as a platform for young audiences to explore career pathways in sports and gaming. GAME ON: Next-Gen Fandom Panel – March 14 at the Whitney Museum TIME: 5 - 6:30pm ET (99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014) Featuring thought leaders, industry disruptors, and Gen Z voices, including former NFL star and avid EA SPORTS FC gamer Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson, this panel will explore the evolution of sports consumption, the influences of gaming, hip-hop, digital art and sneaker culture, along with how authenticity in the digital age is essential for audience engagement. Live performances by Cash Cobain & DJ Silvasoundz – March 14 at the Whitney Museum TIME: 7:30pm ET (99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014) Bronx-based rapper and record producer Cash Cobain will perform a set from his debut studio album Play Cash Cobain. This culminating performance at the 2025 eMLS Cup Final will also feature a DJ set by Silvasoundz. Whitney Free Friday Nights – March 14 at the Whitney Museum TIME: 5 - 10pm ET (99 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014) Attendees can explore an immersive cultural experience at the Whitney Museum and enjoy all that the museum has to offer, including its leading collection of digital art. During this special edition of the Whitney's weekly Free Friday Nights program, visitors will enjoy: Interactive gaming activations, presented by the eMLS, showcasing cutting-edge esports technology. Live music, dancing, food and beverage specials, gallery tours, and access to the entire museum, including critically acclaimed exhibitions, and the Whitney's leading collection of digital art, including augmented reality (AR) works on the 8th floor terrace and in the lobby. 'It's fantastic to see MLS bringing together the worlds of gaming, music, art, and more during eMLS Cup week' Said Sam Turkbas, Senior Director of Sports Esports at EA, 'The combination of interactive opportunities and panels, headlined by incredible eMLS competition, is a can't miss opportunity for fans, in-person and online, to interact in new and exciting ways and cheer on America's best FC Pro players.' How to Experience eMLS Cup Week 2025 In-Person: The eMLS Cup Finals and Whitney Free Friday Nights are free and open to the public. Free tickets are required and can be reserved in advance at Capacity is limited. Streaming: Fans can watch live coverage on Twitch or YouTube. Bryan Pierce | 917-817-1780 About eMLS eMLS is the gaming and esports property of Major League Soccer. Built around the EA SPORTS™ FC franchise, its goal is to utilize gaming to reach global audiences, raise the profile of MLS, and grow its next generation of fans. eMLS aims to authentically tap into culture, rooted in gaming but spreading across music, fashion, art, and more. For more information, visit About Major League Soccer (MLS) Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 30th season in 2025 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit For more information about the Apple TV app, visit About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers. In fiscal year 2024, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL, Need for Speed™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and EA SPORTS F1®. More information about EA is available at EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, FIFA and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. About The Whitney Museum The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875–1942), houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Mrs. Whitney, an early and ardent supporter of modern American art, nurtured groundbreaking artists when audiences were still largely preoccupied with the Old Masters. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for ninety years. The core of the Whitney's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
