Consenses Fundraiser – Cocktails and Music in the Garden
The musical celebrity wattage was fairly blinding at Cocktails and Music in the Garden, a fundraiser for the transformative educational curriculum Consenses, held at the palatial waterfront home of Susan and Jim Swartz and co-hosted by their daughter-in-law Esmeralda, Back Bay beauty Mahsa Noble, island socialite Tamara Weiss and filmmaker Geralyn Dreyfous.
Present and accounted for: rock royalty Carly Simon, her daughter (and Consenses founder) Sally Taylor with husband Dean Bragonier, chip off the old block Ben Taylor with fiancee Sophie Hiller, Martha’s Vineyard’s voice of the angels Isaac Taylor, Grammy nominee John Forté, and soulful troubadour David Saw, who performed an intimate set (unfortunately not in the garden because of inclement weather, but in the comfort of the Swartz’s mohair-upholstered living room). On-hand to marvel at their talent were the likes of poet and island grande dame Rose Styron, documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy, Philadelphia Eagles co-owner ChristinaLurie, environmental activist and philanthropist Laurie David, professor Carolyn Cohen, breathtaking blonde Monika McLennan, arts patron Ellen Poss, broadcasting babe Heather Unruh, rare horse breeder Francesca Kelly and her blue-blooded other half, Prince Raghuvendra Singh Dundlod (also known as Bonnie), and one woman who said, “I’m not leaving until I know my shoes aren’t going to be destroyed by the rain.”
Despite the drizzle, the afternoon was a thoroughly enjoyable affair, with rosé aplenty, delicious little nibbly things and the chance to see some of the world’s most talented musicians playing in an intimate (but sumptuous) setting.
Most amusing moment: When Ben Taylor encouraged everyone to sing along to Harry Belafonte’s “Jamaica Farewell,” a few of the guests chimed in, while one said, “You’re out of your fucking mind if you think I’m going to sing along with Carly Simon.” ◆
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