Crains New York - July 22, 2013 - (Page 25)

INSIDE HELLUVA TOWN stephanie berger Source Breakfast Goldman banks on Citi Bike PAGE 26 Out and About Restaurant Week is back for summer PAGE 27 A midsummer night’s dream A funny thing happened at the New York Philharmonic’s free concert in Central Park last week. Retired hedge-fund mogul Oscar Schafer, who is a major supporter of the event, had his pinch-me moment. The former stock picker, who folded his O.S.S. Capital Management during the downturn, took to the stage to make an introductory speech. There, in front of a crowd of more than 50,000 in the 90degree heat (the musicians were fanning themselves as he spoke), he told a touching story: He met his wife, Didi, 15 years ago on a blind date to see the opera Carmen. And in her honor, as a complete surprise, he said he would conduct the overture to Georges Bizet’s tragic opus. The hedgie said leading the orchestra would fulfill “a lifelong dream.” He was then handed a white jacket and a baton. The air was steamy and the crowd was restless, but he performed with aplomb—for a novice, at least— waving his wand with vigor, if not exactly in time. The short but rousing piece was met with cheers. Mr. Schafer then handed the reins to Music Director Alan Gilbert, who led pieces by Dvorak and Tchaikovsky. Supporting the arts may cost millions. But conducting the orchestra? Priceless. RARE COMBINATION: Andrea Miller (surrounded by her Gallim dancers) has the talent and business sense to succeed in the world of dance. In yet another sign of a reviving downtown, Morton’s The Steakhouse reopened at the World Trade Center this month after more than a decade’s absence from the neighborhood. The national chain’s new location, at 136 Washington St., is just a stone’s throw from where it was before the Twin Towers fell. The new Morton’s sits in front of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and across from the W hotel, giving it access to hordes of tourists. Tilman Fertitta, chairman of corporate parent Landry’s Restaurants, who made an appearance at the recent grand opening, has lightened up Morton’s design since he bought the chain in 2011, a spokeswoman said. The split-level space with a ground-floor lounge is decorated primarily in black, but Mr. Fertitta installed a glass façade—OK, black glass, but still glass. The lower-level dining room, with surprisingly low ceilings, seats 92. Decor aside, the chophouse is likely to be embraced by the expense-account-toting finance types who will fill the rising towers in the neighborhood. —valerie block All they want to do is dance A trio of rising-star choreographers are taking center stage to shape the art form and build nonprofit companies A BY MIRIAM KREININ SOUCCAR t New York City Center’s Fall for Dance festival in 2010, choreographer Andrea Miller watched from the audience as her little-known troupe performed with major names like Twyla Tharp and Merce Cunningham. Her seat turned out to be a good one indeed. As the audience stood and cheered for Gallim Dance, Ms. Miller struck up a conversation with her neighbor, who just happened to be financier Frederic Seegal. He was so impressed that he took the whole company out to celebrate. He’s now chairman of the group’s advisory board.¶ “It was an incredible night,” said the 31-year-old Ms. Miller, who graduated from the Juilliard School in 2004 and danced with the Batsheva Ensemble in Israel for two years before starting her own company. ¶ The event was one of many serendipitous moments that have helped propel Ms. Miller and Gallim (which means “waves” in Hebrew) to the forefront of the dance world. ¶ Ms. Miller is one of a handful of risingstar choreographers who, dance experts say, are shaping this generation of the art form while See DANCE on Page 26 trying to provide a more stable environment for the community at large. buck ennis scott rudd Morton’s is back LEAPS AND BOUNDS $700K $3K Ms. Miller’s annual budget in 2007 Ms. Miller’s current annual budget July 22, 2013 | Crain’s New York Business | 25

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - July 22, 2013

IN THE BOROUGHS
IN THE MARKETS
THE INSIDER
BUSINESS PEOPLE
REAL ESTATE DEALS
SMALL BUSINESS
OPINION
GREG DAVID
REPORT: INFRASTRUCTURE
CLASSIFIEDS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SOURCE BREAKFAST
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - July 22, 2013