Rubin Museum of Art Presents The Nine Rivers Gala Today

The Nine Rivers Gala, the Rubin Museum of Art's annual New York benefit, will celebrate South Asia's incredible art, fashion and design. The event will highlight the Indian-influenced fashion of designer Naeem Khan, who will attend the event as the Museum's special guest. Naeem's intricately beaded and embroidered dressed have been worn by celebrities, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker Eva Longoria, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, and First Lady Michelle Obama. Runway models will wear the designer's fashions throughout the evening.

Following a cocktail reception, guests will dine in the galleries surrounded by 19th century Indian photography from the Museum's special exhibition, Allegory and Illusion, as well as masterworks from the its permanent collection. Catered by Stephen Starr Events--renowned for restaurants such as Morimoto, Buddakan, and the Rubin Museum's own Cafe Serai, the Indian-inspired menu will be designed by Café Serai Executive Chef, Ali Loukzada, and incorporate traditional Indian elements. Taking a cue from the fashion world, Chef Ali will also use color to create a menu reflective of India's vibrant culture.

The Gala's India East theme showcases the Museum's focus on the art of India and other South Asian countries by celebrating two exhibitions currently on view:

· From India East

From India East, on view through July 7, 2014, presents sculptures from the Asian art collection of the Brooklyn Museum. The works were chosen by the Rubin Museum's curators to trace the development of Buddhist and Hindu sculpture back to its roots in the art of ancient India. The year-long exhibition includes art from Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, and Japan. The loan was made possible by the Brooklyn Museum's temporary closing of its Asian art galleries.

· Allegory and Illusion

Allegory and Illusion: Early Portrait Photography from South Asia, opening October 16, presents approximately 120 photographs and a selection of albums, glass plate negatives, cabinet cards, cartes-de-visites, and postcards illustrating the rich tradition of portrait photography in India, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Nepal from the mid-19th century to early 20th century. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts, New Delhi.

Dinner will be followed by a performance by sitar player Anjana Roy and tabla player Polash Gomes. Roy comes from Delhi, India, where she trained under Shri Rebati Ranjan Debnath, her father and guru. Roy has taught sitar music and performed throughout the New York area and released an album of Indian classical music on sitar in 2006. She will be accompanied by Gomes on the tabla.

The Nine Rivers Gala is the single largest fundraiser for the Museum each year. Since 2007 the event has raised over $4 million to support the Museum. This event has proven to be a favorite among Rubin Museum supporters, and each year the Museum strives to make it a unique experience with lively entertainment and surprise celebrity guests. In the past, the Gala has honored such notables as Former President William J. Clinton, The Venerable Matthieu Ricard, Raymond G. Chambers and Deepak Chopra. Special guests have included acclaimed violinist Hahn-Bin and actors Steve Buscemi and Eva Longoria.

Schedule

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

6:30 pm: Cocktails, Welcome Remarks & Naeem Khan Fashion Display

7:30 pm: Dinner in the Galleries

9:00 pm: After-dinner Drinks & Dessert in Café Serai

Musical Entertainment provided by Anjana Roy and Polash Gomes

Attire

Black Tie

Tickets

$1,500 - $5,000

Tables

$10,000 - $75,000

Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan's luxurious collection consists of impeccably cut dresses, sophisticated gowns and chic separates all embroidered by hand.

His fan base includes Beyonce, Penelope Cruz, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emily Blunt, Katy Perry, First Lady Michelle Obama and Queen Noor of Jordan, and his designs have graced the silver screen in fashion film classics like Sex & the City and Dreamgirls.

Khan was born in India and cultivated his vast knowledge of textiles under the watchful eyes of his grandfather and father, both well known in India for designing intricate clothing worn by the royal families. As a teenager, Khan moved to the United States and apprenticed for Halston. Between the equally opulent but aesthetically opposite worlds of his father and Halston, Khan's aesthetic was born.

He launched his eponymous collection, Naeem Khan, in 2003 and began selling at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Since then the collection has grown to be sold at more than 100 specialty stores across the world. In 2008, Naeem Khan was inducted as a member of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Chef Ali Loukzada

Ali Loukzada serves as Executive Chef at the Rubin Museum of Art's Café Serai. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Loukzada spent his childhood working at family-owned restaurants. In 1998, Loukzada came to the United States starting as a bus boy, but quickly taking his career to the next level by attending the New York Restaurant School.

Upon graduation Loukzada began as a sous chef at Pershing Square and the following year accepted a position to work under his now-mentor Chef Floyd Cardoz. In 2006 Loukzada began working at Stephen Starr's Modern Asian restaurant Buddakan. While at Buddakan the talented chef used his worldly flavors to create new menu presentations and assist with the development of innovative dishes.

Rubin Museum of Art

The Rubin Museum of Art's immersive environment stimulates learning, promotes understanding, and inspires personal connections to the ideas, cultures, and art of India, the Himalayas and other South Asian countries. The Rubin has welcomed more than one million visitors since its founding in 2004. Its outstanding collections of Tibetan, Chinese, Indian, Afghan, Bhutanese, Mongolian, Nepalese, and Pakistani art, which include photography, are complemented by a diverse array of films, on-stage conversations, concerts, and special events. The Museum's education, community, and access programming is dedicated to providing audiences of all ages and backgrounds with experiences that foster dialogue and active engagement with the traditions and cultures of the region. The Rubin Museum's Café Serai and shop are also inspired by the region and serve as a natural extension of the gallery and programming experience.

The Museum is located in the Chelsea neighborhood at 150 West 17 Street, New York City.

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