Fête Accompli | Dance Class

Last night, on what was a beautifully crisp and rain-free evening, dance enthusiasts piled into the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the New York City Ballet spring gala. Performing newly choreographed works by the NYCB Ballet master in chief Peter Martins and the former NYCB principal dancer (and husband of Natalie Portman) Benjamin Millepied, dancers wore costumes designed by Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy and Gilles Mendel of J. Mendel, with Swarovski earrings designed by Jamie Wolf. In the audience — and on the red carpet — were the honorary chair Natalie Portman in a sapphire dress by the event’s co-sponsor Dior, the designer Tabitha Simmons, the actress Drew Barrymore with her fiancé, Will Kopelman, and the global cosmetics executive Olivia Chantecaille. Inspired by the show, T asked partygoers to name one song that makes them want to move:

Peter Martins, NYCB Ballet master in chief
“I once did a ballet to Ray Charles‚ he melts my heart.”

Gilles Mendel, designer
“After sitting next to Rihanna at the Met Gala, I’d say one of her songs.”

Lisa Marie Falcone, society arts patron
“I like ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ from ‘Mary Poppins,’ and Alicia Keys.”

Arie and Coco Kopelman, former chairman of Chanel and his wife, a philanthropist
Arie: “She’s my expert.”
Coco: “For our anniversary party, it was the waltz from ‘Dr. Zhivago,’ but also a song from the country musical ‘Shenandoah’ — ‘We Make a Beautiful Pair.’”

Kate and Laura Mulleavy, designers, Rodarte
Kate: “Any Tom Petty song.”
Laura: “That was my answer.”

Jill Kargman, writer
“I like Nine Inch Nails the best. It’s not typically danceable, but I can do a good robot.”

Carolyn Murphy, model, with her 11 1/2 year old daughter, Dylan.
Carolyn: “I’ll let her answer.”
Dylan: “‘We Found Love’ by Rihanna.”

Alexandra Kerry, film producer and director
“Oh my gosh, does it have to be classical? Something like De La Soul.”