On Friday June 5th, our photographer, Sean Fitzpatrick, attended the 50th anniversary of the annual Neptune Ball at Snug Harbor Cultural Center. This was the first year the event featured a dance party after the gala dinner itself. Part of one of the musical performances, along with photos from the event, is included in the video below:
Snug Harbor has recently undergone installation of a wetlands viewing platform and Boardwalk on their grounds, with funding and assistance from State Senator Scarcella-Spanton. They’ve recently been chosen for inclusion in the Cultural Institutions Group by the Dept. Of Cultural Affairs.
Field Lights were installed at their baseball stadium by the Assemblymember Fall a couple of years back. Snug Harbor was also awarded grants for soccer fan engagement programming to boost attendance and enjoyment of the FIFA World Cup matches and celebrations.
See below for more info about the gala:
Neptune Ball: Past, Present, Future
The Neptune Ball returned for an unforgettable evening, celebrating 50 years of culture, nature, and community.
Join us for an elegant night of cocktails, dinner, and dancing as we raise funds to honor Snug Harbor’s legacy and support its vibrant future.
Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Cocktails & Neptune Dance Party – Music Hall Annex Lawn; Dinner – The Great Hall
Please join us for an unforgettable evening in support of Snug Harbor’s mission and programming.
Neptune Ball Dance Party. Image Credit – Sean Fitzpatrick
Neptune Ball Dance Party. Image Credit – Sean Fitzpatrick
Gala Committee & Board of Directors
Gala Committee Co-Chairs
Coleen Cahill* and Deana Jean
Gala Committee
Bobby Aanonsen* • Adrienne Abbate • Dr. Ronald Altman*
Regina Boukhvalova • Carol Bullock • Joseph Burt* • Kevin Chau*
Ciro Galeno, Jr. • Joanne Gerenser • Laura A. Gretz, Esq.
Rashida Ladner-Seward • Jennifer Sammartino-Mallen
Dr. Gracelyn F. Santos
*Board Member
**List in Formation as of 3/16/26
Board of Directors
Anita Laremont, Esq., Chair
Alfred C. Cerullo, III, Vice-Chair
Brian Laline, Secretary
John L. Esposito, Treasurer
Bobby Aanonsen • Ronald Altman, DDS • Molly Bruce Barton •
Joseph Burt • Coleen Cahill • Kevin Chau • John P. Connors, Jr. • Rongyao Huang • James McCrindle • Alexis C. Platis • Judith Saltzman
Board Advisory Members
Terence Fitzpatrick • Ishita Gaur • Deana Jean • David Lehr
Ex-Officio Board Members
Hon. Zohran K. Mamdani
Mayor of the City of New York
Julie Su
Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice, City of New York
Vito J. Fossella
Staten Island Borough President
Diya Vij
Commissioner, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
Tricia Shimamura
Commissioner, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
Robert Cohen
Chair Emeritus
Samir Farag
Chair Emeritus
Mark Lauria
Chair Emeritus
Alice Diamond
Trustee Emerita
Banner Image: Neptune Ball. Image Credit – Sean Fitzpatrick
Snug Harbor Cultural Center
Snug Harbor was founded with the execution of the will of Robert Richard Randall, heir to a shipping fortune, who died in 1801. The will required the family fortune and estate be used to build and operate a haven for “aged, decrepit, and worn-out sailors.” Today, Snug Harbor is a place where history, architecture, visual and performing arts, gardens, agriculture, and education come together and provide dynamic experiences for all ages. It is one of the largest ongoing adaptive reuse projects in America and is one of New York City’s unique architectural complexes and historic landscapes. Majestic buildings of classic architectural styles are home to exhibitions on historical subjects and contemporary art. Snug Harbor’s Music Hall is the one of the oldest concert halls in New York City. Fourteen distinctive botanical gardens are spread across the site and include the celebrated New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden and the Richmond County Savings Foundation Tuscan Garden, based on a 18th century garden in Florence, Italy. Snug Harbor is also is home to the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, Snug Harbor Artist Residency Program (SHARP), Staten Island Museum, Staten Island Children’s Museum, Noble Maritime Collection, Art Lab, Children’s Harbor Montessori School, and Staten Island Conservatory of Music. Snug Harbor is also a proud Smithsonian affiliate.