Join Untapped New York Founder at a Spectacular Musical Feast

As the founder of Untapped New York, I have had the privilege of going into some of New York City’s most spectacular places, meeting fascinating creators and shapers of the city, and attending show-stopping events. In recent years, as the event space has become more and more commercialized in the city, I preserve the rare free time I have (after two kids!) more for intimate yet exciting events. Top on that list—and invitations I will drop whatever I'm doing to accept—are the private concerts (and Carnegie Hall showcases) by The Knights, a Grammy-winning orchestra and chamber music ensemble whose aim is the “elimination of barriers between audience and music." It's the only organization I've found that truly lives up to that claim, in large part due to the sheer energy and creativity of its members.

Whether you are listening to musicians like Chris Thiel from Nickel Creek in a Brooklyn townhouse, a small group of The Knights performing in a Chelsea loft, or the whole orchestra performing at Carnegie Hall with jazz pianist Aaron Diehl or with Emmanuel Ax at Tanglewood, they talk to you directly with humor and great passion to explain what’s being performed. The energy and camaraderie of the group are palpable in their communication and their performance.

On May 12, The Knights will hold its annual gala in New York City. This year's theme is "A Musical Feast" and will feature a "live mash-up of music, food, and culture" featuring the culinary creations of celebrity chef J. Kenji López-Alt, inspired by the musical performance of The Knights. Last year, the ensemble set my book The Art Spy to music!

I am one of the gala co-chairs this year and would like to personally invite Untapped New York readers to experience the magic with me. Untapped New York Insiders and Explorers can save $250 off individual tickets with a special offer.

The origin story of The Knights began in New York in the early 1990s, when then teenagers Eric and Colin Jacobsen, now the artistic directors of the group, would host chamber music parties in their homes. Eric and Colin’s dad was the concertmaster of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and would also be at these parties, predominantly making sure everyone had a great time. Those musical gatherings from my early teens were part of the inspiration for my candlelight music and literary salon, The Lit Salon.

The gala programming includes a cocktail hour, a sit-down dinner, an auction with some spectacular prizes, including a private Woolworth Building tour and dinner at Kings Restaurant, a concert by The Knights, and dessert. Tickets can be purchased here and you can check out the full concert schedule of The Knights! Once again, sign in or become an Insider to reveal the discount code for $250 off the individual ticket below.