The Clip-Clop of Manolo-and-Louboutin-Clad Hooves
Dispatches from the city's swankiest affairs: Horsing Around at the Mandarin, the Ultimate Tailgate Party for Lovin' Spoonfuls and a benefit for Big Sister Boston.
Mandarin Oriental, Boston GM Markus Lindner feeding Angel the therapy horse. / Photo by Russ Mezikovsky
A wise man once said, “There’s nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.” Accordingly, the clip-clop of Manolo-and-Louboutin-clad hooves you might have heard was Boston’s top socialites trotting over to the Mandarin Oriental for Horsing Around at the Mandarin, a benefit for the Bina Farm Center.
Founded by multihyphenate Coryn Bina and her polo-playing husband, Babak, the Lexington-based organization provides equine therapy and other enrichment programs to individuals with (and without) developmental, cognitive, physical, and mental health challenges. Their sons, Kamran and Aidin Bina, served as emcees for the evening, which attracted the likes of cochairs Harris and Paul Krupp; equestrienne extraordinaire Christy Cashman; real estate scion Alex Leventhal and his fashion-plate wife, Lianne; 7News anchors Jadiann Thompson and Ryan Schulteis; New England Aquarium head Vikki Spruill; celebrity chef Tiffani Faison; power couple Josh and Grace Zakim; and the irresistible Gabby Russo and her fiancée (now wife) Ciara Dimou.
Ocean advocate Emiley Lockhart and her Pops maestro husband, Keith, received the Bina Achievement Award, but the undisputed highlight was singer-songwriter Bebe Wood (Gretchen in the new Mean Girls movie) performing a song with Amir El Boukfaoui, a longtime participant in Bina’s Therapeutic Riding program.
Naturally, a mini horse from the farm was on hand, prompting one guest to urge her date, “Let me get a picture of the two of you,” to which he responded, “I don’t believe in animal cruelty.”
Meanwhile, one woman outbid herself repeatedly in the live auction, and the Award for Awkwardness went to the man who introduced two people, saying, “You two know each other, don’t you?”
“Yes,” one of them answered. “We’re married.”
Boston contributing editor Tonya Mezrich; her husband, author Ben Mezrich; singer/songwriter/actress Bebe Wood; and Coryn and Babak Bina. / Photo by Russ Mezikovsky
The evening’s emcees, Kamran and Aidin Bina, with Emiley and Keith Lockhart. / Photo by Russ Mezikovsky
The 7News crew: Josh Wurster, Jadiann Thompson, Ryan Schulteis, and Sam Bleiweis. / Photo by Russ Mezikovsky
Fashionistas Alisa Neely and Vanessa Lundy with JP Morgan wealth adviser Devin Hill. / Photo by Drea Catalano
Waste Not, Want Not
No disrespect to the Patriots, but the best tailgate party in New England is the Ultimate Tailgate Party to benefit Lovin’ Spoonfuls, a nonprofit that collects fresh food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to food pantries and homeless shelters. Held at the SoWa Power Station, the event featured potent potables and delicious nibbles from the city’s top restaurants, and it attracted the likes of celebrity guest chef/TV personality Andrew Zimmern, Wellesley party pair William and Nina Schroeder, and real estate titan Michael Harper. Most delicious of all: The evening raised more than $400,000.
Mixmaster Michael Ray charms liquor distributors Tara Mathison and Jessica Cyr. / Photo by Drea Catalano
Travel guru Carly Moss and her mustachioed muchacho, Anheuser-Busch manager Max Moss. / Photo by Drea Catalano
Lovin’ Spoonfuls founder Ashley Stanley and general contracting colossus Adam Amontea. / Photo by Drea Catalano
Awardees Kim Boucher and Christina Gordon of the Women’s Foundation of Boston. / Photo by Chris McIntosh
A Matter of Size
If Big in Boston is any indication, Beyoncé is right about who runs the world. A benefit for Big Sister Boston, the event was held at the 521 Overlook inside Fenway Park (which boasts a killer view of the bleachers that Ted Williams’s last home run hit) and attracted such sparkly types as Governor Maura Healey and WBZ news anchor Lisa Hughes, not to mention more mentors and mentees than you could shake a shillelagh at.
The Big Sister Boston staff. / Photo by Chris McIntosh
Trevor Loubier wearing sunglasses at night with fundraising marathoner Lauren Mauretti. / Photo by Chris McIntosh
WBZ anchor Lisa Hughes, state Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley, Governor Maura Healey, and Big Sister CEO Annissa Essaibi George. / Photo by Chris McIntosh
First published in the print edition of the March 2024 issue with the headline, “Tally Ho!”
