(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — After more than a century at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, the 116th Grand Banquet of The Twenty-Four Karat Club of The City of New York will be held at the New York Hilton Midtown on Jan. 20, 2018. The black-tie event draws more than 1,000 guests each year.
In 2015, the Club broke with its longstanding tradition of keeping the event’s entertainment a secret until the evening of the banquet. This year, The Twenty-Four Karat Club of the City of New York announces that the performer will be actress and singer Katharine McPhee, sponsored in part by Bulova Timepieces, a Citizen Watch America brand.
Known as a world-class vocalist and for her roles on the hit television series Scorpion and Smash, McPhee will serenade guests with a live performance.
“We look forward to another successful event and are thrilled to welcome Katharine McPhee as our performer for the evening,” said Ronnie VanderLinden, president of the Twenty-Four Karat Club of the City of New York. “This year we see a few changes, but are confident that it will be an evening to remember.”
The Waldorf Astoria, under new ownership, closed last spring for a three-year renovation, forcing many longtime and historic events — including the 24 Karat Club Banquet — to relocate.
The Banquet has moved before, but it has been held at a Waldorf Astoria property since 1913, both when the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel was located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Streets (now the site of the Empire State Building) and after the Waldorf moved to its legendary Park Avenue address.
The 2018 Banquet is also being held one week later than its traditional time on the second Saturday after New Year’s Day. Cocktail reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and the Banquet doors open at 7 p.m.