City Parks Foundation 2025 Dinner & Dance Party Benefit
The City Parks Foundation 2025 Dinner & Dance Party Benefit was a huge success, collecting almost $1 million in donations. The event, which took place in Central Park, supported the free art, sports, environmental, and municipal building programs of the City Park Foundation. These programs are produced in public parks in New York City, across all five boroughs, every year.
Honoring Questlove
The event honored Ahmir "Questlove" with the Icon Award for his contributions to the artistic and cultural landscape of New York City. Questlove is a pioneer of the music industry and an innovative leader who shapes the culture of our nation. He is a Grammy and Oscar winner, known for his documentary "Summer of Soul," which celebrated a cultural festival from 1969 in Harlem that was almost forgotten by history.
A Special Performance
Questlove received his award from the legendary New York DJ, producer, radio presenter, and SummerStage alum Stretch Armstrong. Armstrong praised Questlove, saying, "He is responsible for amazing things. It’s hard to find a cultural area that this man has not shaped." The evening ended with a special DJ set from Questlove, which packed the dance floor with a striking combination of pop, hip-hop, R&B, and rock classics and deep cuts.
People & Parks Award
The City Parks Foundation also honored Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment with the 2025 People & Parks Award. This award was given for their work in promoting health, education, and well-being in communities in Brooklyn, as well as their philanthropic initiatives and neighborhood programs. The owner of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, which includes the Barclays Center, New York Liberty, and Brooklyn Nets, was recognized for their efforts in making a positive impact on the community.
A Night to Remember
The event was a night to remember, with Questlove’s DJ set being a highlight of the evening. The Roots, Questlove’s band, had also played a free show in Queens for over 7,000 New Yorkers just the day before their SummerStage appearance. The City Parks Foundation 2025 Dinner & Dance Party Benefit was led by Angela Barkan, Joe Killian, Roland Merchant, and Greg Williamson, and was a huge success in supporting the foundation’s programs and honoring the contributions of Questlove and Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment.
