Leesa Rowland Hosts NYC’s Anticipated Halloween Masquerade Ball

Leesa Rowland and Larry Wohl, held an extravagant Halloween“Masquerade Ball” at the Angel Orensanz Foundation in NYC. Rowland, an actress, philanthropist, and author, has hosted a themed Halloween Ball for the past 8 years. Guests dressed to impress, sipped on fabulous cocktails, and were enchanted by incredible live performances. This glamorous night exceeded all expectations.

This year’s theme was “Black, White, and Gold Masquerade Ball,” inspired by Truman Capote’s legendary “Black and White Ball.” The evening was filled with thoughtful, personal touches. Rowland, a vegan, joined forces with Hank Stampfl’s Revel Rouge to create the event décor, cocktails, and vegan dishes with Chef Carlos Manansala for the night’s dinner. Cocktails consisted of ‘The Dark Queen’s Elixir’ and ‘Moonlit Reaper Rita’ while dinner featured flat bread with garlic and roasted red pepper hummus, roasted beet salad, eggplant parmesan with vegan mozzarella, charred cauliflower steaks, and penne primavera. Revel Rouge has worked with Leesa Rowland for all 8 years she has hosted the Halloween Soirée, raising the bar every time.

Vegan Fashion Designer Marc Bouwer designed Leesa’s costume for the evening. She wore a luxurious faux fur shawl paired with a breathtaking long gold gown with jeweled straps. Bouwer and his husband, Pedro Oberto, were dressed in custom bedazzled outfits—Bouwer in gold and Pedro in black—complementing each other perfectly, even playfully calling themselves the Yin to each other’s Yang.

There was no shortage of thrilling entertainment! Before dinner, dancers in Masquerade and ball gowns dazzled guests with their captivating baroque style performance of ‘Vogue’ directed and choreographed by Marcella Hymowitz. Then there was an electrifying drumline surprise by the Brooklyn United Music & Arts Development Center. 

The ball paid tribute to Studio 54’s Carmen D’Alessio who was celebrating her birthday. She replicated her birthday celebration from 40 years ago, emerging from a large birthday cake on stage as guests cheered wildly. Other notable attendees included: Tina Radziwill, Debbie Dickinson, Wendy and Bob Federman, Dottie Herman, Pamela Morgan, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Cindy Guyer, Sharon Bush, Sir Ivan Wilzig, Alan Wilzig, Bill Sclight and Cheri Kaufman, Hank Stampfl,  Stewart F Lane and Bonnie Comley, Liliana Cavendish, Paul Margolin, and Sergio Zapata.

While we patiently await next year’s Halloween Ball, be sure to check out Leesa Rowland’s new book The Charisma Factor: Unlock the Secrets of Magnetic Charm and Personal Influence in Your Life, which is available in bookstores and online.