Share

Actress, philanthropist, and author Leesa Rowland, along with Larry Wohl, hosted an unforgettable “Masquerade Ball” at New York City’s Angel Orensanz Center, with an evening full of style, creativity, and celebratory moments. The event honored the legacy of Studio 54’s Carmen D’Alessio, including a special recreation of her iconic onstage birthday cake entrance from 40 years ago. Inspired by Truman Capote’s legendary “Black and White Ball,” the theme evolved into a stunning “Black, White, and Gold Masquerade Ball.” Guests arrived in glamorous costumes and intricate masks, sipping cocktails, mingling, and dancing to live music throughout the night.

A captivating baroque-style Vogue performance, directed and choreographed by Marcella Hymowitz, added to the ambiance, as did an electrifying drumline surprise by Brooklyn United Music & Arts Development Center.

The event’s décor, drinks, and vegan dining were curated by Hank Stampfl’s Revel Rouge, featuring dishes by Chef Carlos Manansala and handcrafted cocktails from Acquolina. Leesa Rowland added personal touches throughout, including a custom-designed costume by fashion designer Marc Bouwer.

Notable attendees included Leesa Rowland, Larry Wohl, Marc Bouwer, Pedro Oberto, Carmen D’Alessio, Tina Radziwill, Debbie Dickinson, Wendy and Bob Federman, Dottie Herman, Pamela Morgan, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Cindy Guyer, Sharon Bush, Sir Ivan Wilzig, Alan Wilzig, Bill Sclight, Cheri Kaufman, Hank Stampfl, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Liliana Cavendish, Paul Margolin, and Sergio Zapata.

Leesa Rowland’s latest book, The Charisma Factor: Unlock the Secrets of Magnetic Charm and Personal Influence in Your Life, is now available in bookstores and online.

About Leesa Rowland:

The daughter of an artist and college professor, Leesa Rowland grew up in Austin, Texas where she studied broadcast journalism and later became a classically trained actress at the world-renowned Stella Adler Studio in Los Angeles.

Beyond her extensive career and credits as a film and television actress, she is also well-known for her work as a philanthropist and animal rights activist. A vegan dedicated to healthy eating, she has been active with the national non-profit organization Last Chance for Animals since 1989 and is the president of the New York non-profit group Animal Ashram, which she founded in 2013.

As she continues to develop her work as a philanthropist and involvement with these and other charities while exploring new dramatic roles, Leesa recently began adding something else exciting to her sizzle reel: comedienne. A lifelong sitcom fan, she has been taking comedy classes with Richard Kline – the actor best known as Larry on the late-1970s classic Three’s Company – in Los Angeles. She has also been studying improv and sketch comedy in New York at the famed Upright Citizen’s Brigade whose alumni include Amy Poehler, Horatio Sands, Matt Besser, Matt Walsh and Ian McKay.

For more information, visit leesarowland.net.

PRESS CONTACT (Leesa Rowland):

Norah Lawlor | Lawlor Media Group | www.lawlormediagroup.com

Norah@lawlormediagroup.com | Tel: (212) 967-6900

F: LawlorMediaGroup | I: lawlormedia | X/T: @LawlorMedia