(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — The 117th Grand Banquet of the Twenty-Four Karat Club of the City of New York wrapped up with a performance by the R&B/pop band The O’Jays. Nearly 1,000 members and guests attended the gala event, held Jan. 12 at the New York Hilton Midtown.
The Club’s traditional pre-party receptions and cocktail party were packed as guests moved between individual members’ hosted suites and the club’s pre-party in the Grand Ballroom Foyer of the Hilton.
Then, as is tradition, the dinner opened with the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” performed by the West Point Cadets, and an invocation by the Rev. Elizabeth Junod of West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NJ. Club President Lawrence Pettinelli welcomed guests.
The O’Jays, sponsored by Bulova Timepieces, a Citizen Watch America brand, were a particularly appropriate entertainment choice for the Club, which deeply values friendship and tradition. Founders Eddie Levert and Walter Williams have been friends and partners since childhood. “We still appreciate our friendship, dedication to each other and the group, and our love for good music,” said Williams.
“The evening was spectacular,” said Club Banquet Chair Myriam Gumuchian. “Guests went straight from the high-energy performance to a high-energy Dance Party Bash. The floor was packed till well after midnight, and everyone loved the many opportunities to network throughout the evening.”
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