Monday, February 1, 2010

WELCOME TO THE SILENT AUCTION FOR THE NEW ENSEMBLE



Welcome to the Silent Auction for
THE NEW ENSEMBLE
(and thank you for playing!)

Bidding begins on February 3rd
and closes on February 12th
(just in time to claim your winnings 
for Valentine's day).

We have a lot of 
amazing stuff on the docket --


Scroll down to see a complete list, or
VISIT EACH ITEM BY CLICKING ON THE TITLES 
IN THE BLOG ARCHIVE ON THE LEFT -- 
valued at  over $3,000.oo
including theater tickets,
meals at fabulous restaurants,
yoga lessons.....


TO PLAY:
If you see something you MUST HAVE,
place your bid by emailing 
thenewensemble@gmail.com 
with the item-name in the subject line. 
(Likewise, if you have questions about 
an item, please email us!)

Once you have bid, 
you will receive a 
nightly email during the 
10 days of the auction, 
informing you about the 
status of your desired item,
so that you can play again 
if you are out-bid by an
equally-ardent supporter.

(n.b.: you do not need to enter a credit-card number to play!)

In the happy event that you WIN, 
you will be notified by email.

Claim your prize by 
clicking the "DONATE" link
on our website, www.thenewensemble.com,
which will take you to Fractured Atlas, 
our trusty umbrella. 
Payment is both 
COMPLETELY SECURE 
and 
TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

Happy bidding!

"....going once....going twice....
going threeeee tiiiimes...."
.
.
.


ITEM: ROUNDABOUT THEATRE TICKETS





A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC....

Well...actually, it’s a lot of night music.   You (and a very lucky friend) are invited to opening night of Sondheim on Sondheim at Studio 54 on Thursday, April 22nd at 7pm.  


Complete the night with 2 passes to the cast party following the show! 


Actual Value: $500
START BIDDING AT: $75
CURRENT HIGH BID: $150 $200 $300
Bid in increments of: $25, please









Sondheim on Sondheim stars Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Tom Wopat, Leslie Kritzer, Norm Lewis, Euan Morton, Erin Mackey & Matthew Scott; music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; conceived & directed by James Lapine.


ITEM: PHOTO SESSION




PICTURES OF YOU

A full-length studio session for any dynamic duo with photographer Bradley Walker. From his studio in Brooklyn, Bradley will shoot a full session, either of yourself alone, or with the love of your life.

Actual Value $400

START BIDDING AT $150
Bid in increments of $25, please.


"Photographers of all kinds aim to capture moments of impermanence: water tumbling over the falls, a bird stretching its wings, a flower unfolding. To me, a portrait doesn't only capture what a person looked like in that impermanent moment, but also conveys the story and the emotion behind it. A great portrait comes from more than just an understanding of photography. It's found in the details: the second before a laugh; as an old memory is recalled; as a groom sees his bride appear at the top of the aisle. These moments convey more than a "pretty picture." They give a viewer the true feeling of the moment. Capturing this moment, that little bit of impermanence, is what I strive for in portraiture." -- Bradley Walker

for more info on Bradley Walker, visit



ITEM: 3 PILATES SESSIONS



WHIP IT

As in...whip yourself into shape in three hour-long private Pilates sessions.  What you do to celebrate Valentine's Day with your better-breathing, rejuvenated, fitter self...we leave that up to you... 

Actual Value: $255
START BIDDING AT: $50
CURRENT HIGH BID: $80 $95 $110
Bid in increments of $15, please

Pilates. You've been reading about it for years now...the magical exercise method that will strengthen your back, improve your breathing, give you a killer set of abdominal muscles, help you go down a pants-size, re-enable you to touch your toes, support your yoga/running/boxing habit,recover from injury, restore balance to your weak spots, stretch out your tight spots, help you ENJOY exercising for once, re-introduce you to your natural coordination even if you don't think you have any, give you more energy, help your sex life (no, really), help you sleep better, improve your immune system, change your life.

All that in THREE SESSIONS?? Well. Three is enough to get you hooked. After that....


*
Kyra Himmelbaum has been a fully-certified instructor on all equipment since 1999 (The Pilates Center, Boulder, CO). For more information, visit http://springandpulley.com



ITEM: GOLD BANGLE



 HEART OF GOLD


A stunning 18K antique gold plated floral bangle from Tejani Jewelry - a perfect gift for a loved one...or for yourself.

“Tejani” is derived from head designer Urvi Prunier’s family name, and means “brightness” and “sparkle.” Urvi describes this contemporary jewelry brand as “glamourous and avant-garde, with a touch of ethnic heritage.” Tejani creates bangles, chokers, bib necklaces, and chandelier earrings out of eye-catching array of colorful semi-precious stones.

We can arrange for you to receive this gorgeous bangle by Valentine's Day.


Actual Value: $135.00
START BIDDING at: $40.00
CURRENT TOP BID: $55.00 $85
Bid in increments of $15.00, please.













ITEM: DINNER FOR TWO AT THE NEW FRENCH


THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT

A special night at one of the West Village’s hidden gems: dinner for two at The New French.  Enjoy a three-course meal and a bottle of wine from the PumphouseWinery (from Long Island’s North Fork) in the candle-lit glow of this cozy restaurant.

If you’d like to dine on Valentine’s day, please call for a reservation.  For all other dates feel free to just arrive with your gift certificate in hand. 

Actual Value: $135.00
START BIDDING AT: $40
CURRENT TOP BID: $55 $85 $100 $115
Bid in increments of $15, please.




ITEM: WINE, POETRY AND THE VICEROY CAFÉ




THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Treat your special someone right. First take them out for a night on the town and then surprise them with a romantic gift basket at home. The perfect way to spice up a date night.  

A NIGHT OUT: a $50 gift certificate to Viceroy Café, a unique bistro and a Chelsea hot spot.

A NIGHT IN: a gift basket including all the accoutrements you might need to enjoy the rest of the evening... a gorgeous bottle of tempranillo, a pair of books of erotic (yet thought-provoking) poetry, a bottle of Calvin Klein perfume, a bottle of Calvin Klein cologne, and some very sexy Calvin Klein Lingerie...

Actual value: $300
Bidding starts at: $125
Bid in increments of $25, please
  











(The Viceroy)





ITEM: WE SERENADE YOUR SWEETHEART




YOUR SONG

Here’s how it works: you tell us what you love about your love.  Inspired by your very own ideas, lyricist Royce Vavrek and singer/songwriter Jason Fleitz will craft an original and unforgettable love song, to be delivered and performed live at the location of your choice (in your home...or your office...or beneath your beloved's balcony...) by professional actor/singers Cassie Wooley and Mary Guiteras, accompanied with guitar and vocals by co-composer Jason Fleitz.  

Actual value: Priceless
Start Bidding at $50
Bid in increments of $10, please


Jason Fleitz is a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter. Influenced by traditional folk and blues, he started writing music at the age of 16 and has performed in venues across the United States and Europe. In addition to playing solo, he collaborates with Leslie Graves.

Mary Guiteras:
Mary can also be seen in Disgraced Productions’ Web series Apartment 1B as Julia, http://vimeo.com/disgracedtv. 
Training: NYU Tisch School of the Arts - Playwrights Horizons, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and Experimental Theatre Wing. Funny Training at People’s Improv Theater (The PIT). 

Royce Vavrek  made his Carnegie Hall debut this past May with scenes from his opera-in-progress Dog Days with composer David T. Little. Artistic Director of the new opera-theater company The Coterie. B.F.A: Concordia University, Montreal; M.F.A: NYU.

Cassie Wooley received a Jeff Award for her performance as Mary in Merrily We Roll Along.  Later this month you can find her at Joe’s Pub in her very own solo show produced by NYMF and Sh-K Boom records. For more information: www.cassiewooley.com.



ITEM: YOGA LESSONS AND SHIATSU


THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL

Treat yourself right.  Warm up with a one on one yoga session at your home.  Move onto two private (home) sessions, for yourself (or for you and a partner).  Tired?  Enjoy a one-hour shiatsu massage to relax your new muscles. 



Actual Value: $300
START BIDDING AT: $50
CURRENT HIGH BID: $100 $130
Bid in increments of $15, please

Single yoga session with Christina Schulman:
Cristina Schulman has been practicing yoga since 2000.  She received her teacher training at the Laughing Lotus Yoga College in New York City.

Two (single or double) yoga sessions with Bacilio Cortes Jr.
Studied in Trimbak, India, at the Yoga Vidya Gurukul Ashram, under the direction of Sri Vishwas Mandlik. He's also spent time in monasteries in Nepal studying Buddhist principles. http://web.me.com/bemindful/yogainthepark/Qualifications.html

A Shiatsu session with Shandoah Goldman:
(n.b. Sessions are received in loose, comfortable clothing on a zen-style futon.)
Shandoah trained at the Ohashiatsu Institute in NYC. She has led an extensive practice since 1996, and she also has an M.A. in dance. www.shiatsu.shandoahgoldman.com

















ITEM: DINNER AT HOME, PRIVATE CHEF








HEY GOOD LOOKING, WHATCHA GOT COOKING?
In the comfort of your own home, Ross Florance (of Eric Ripert’s world-famous Le Bernardin) will prepare a full night of food for four, course by course (wine provided). Full service throughout the evening included. A truly unique night for you and three lucky dinning companions. 
Actual Value: $1000
START BIDDING at: $250
CURRENT HIGH BID: $400 
to be raised in increments of $50

Ross is available to cook for you on Sunday Feb. 28th, Sunday March 7th, or Sunday March 14th.


Ross Florance graduated the Culinary Institute of America, and then cooked his way through Europe. In the Napa Valley, he worked at Bouchon, created by Thomas Keller (French Laundry, Per Se). Ross has recently moved to New York City and has been hard at work at one the world's top restaurant's, Eric Ripert's, Le Bernardin. He looks forward to opening his own restaurant that will combine his love of seafood with his unique appreciation of quality product.