The Brooklyn Academy of Music hosted its annual gala on Wednesday, a celebration of its artists, patrons and supporters, and helped raise funds to secure “BAM’s place as a home for adventurous artists, audiences and ideas.”
Ethan Hawke and his wife Ryan Hawke were among the celebrities supporting the 2023 BAM Gala honoring Spike Lee, David Byrne and Claire Wood, held at the Howard Gilman Opera House in the Brooklyn borough of New York.
Ahead of all the celebrations, which included Hanif Abdurraqib as the host and St. Vincent as the star, the Hawkes joined the other celebrities and walked the red carpet for a photo or two.
The 52-year-old, four-time Oscar nominee actor looked handsome in a classic black suit and tie, which he paired with a white shirt and black leather shoes.
The Dead Poets Society star mostly held hands with his wife of 40 (born Ryan Shawhughes), who opted to color their ensemble in a long ruffled skirt and matching blouse.
Shows of support: Ethan Hawke, 52, and his wife Ryan Hawke (born Ryan Shawhughes), 40, attended the 2023 BAM Gala honoring Spike Lee, David Byrne and Claire Wood at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New Wednesday York
The actress and producer’s skirt was orange, burgundy, blue, black, red and white and fell to her feet.
She also wore a blue blouse that seemed to go perfectly with the outfit and carried a red clutch handbag.
To complete her look, Ryan wore open-toed brown heels and let her blonde locks be styled long, straight and falling several inches past her shoulders, parting on the left side.
The couple, who will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on June 8, continued to hold hands as they slowly moved in front of photographers.
Spike Lee, one of the gala honorees, demonstrated his unique sense of style by wearing a black suit consisting of flood trousers, an orange tie, a white shirt and blue and white high-top sneakers.
The celebrity director and actor, 66, also sported an orange and blue hat over his short black hair and white large-frame glasses.
Another honoree, David Byrne, decided to make the event a family affair by bringing his daughter Malu Byrne, 34, to the annual event.
The legendary Talking Heads frontman smiled while wearing white pants, a white turtleneck shirt under a blue blazer and white sneakers.
Stylish couple: The four-time Oscar-nominated actor looked handsome in a classic black suit and tie, while his wife, an actress and producer, opted for a colorful skirt and blue blouse combo
Party time: The Hawkes spent some time chatting with actress Rosie Perez at the event
Unique: Honoree Spike Lee, 66, showed off his unique sense of style by wearing a black suit consisting of flood trousers, an orange tie, a white shirt and blue and white high-top sneakers
Hilarious: A star in Brooklyn for decades, Lee couldn’t resist showing off his comedic side
Family affair: Honoree David Byrne, 70, brought his daughter Malu Byrne, 34, to the annual gala
The main attractions: Honorees Spike Lee, Claire Wood and David Byrne all posed together at the event
St. Vincent (born Anne Erin Clark), known for her blend of edgy style and elegance, stepped out for a photo shoot in a black leather mini dress that accentuated her taut curves.
The outfit also included a sheer black top, however, only the short sleeves were visible under the top of the conspicuous number.
The Melting Of The Sun musician, 40, also wore black stockings and black knee-high boots and had her ever-changing hair dyed black and cut shorter than usual, above her ears with a slight center parting.
Actress Gina Gershon is also known to sometimes flaunt her penchant for edgy fashion, but this evening she opted for a more chic look in a black one-shoulder jumpsuit that was sometimes paired with a white blazer.
The Showgirls star, 60, also wore black shoes, carried a cool white and black handbag and had her dark tresses styled long, past her shoulders and parted slightly to the left.
Headliner: 40-year-old St. Vincent acted as headliner of the gala
Rockin’ out: The musician (born Anne Erin Clark) showed off her mix of edgy and elegant style in a black leather mini dress with a sheer bodice underneath
Stylish: Showgirls actress Gina Gershon, 60, wore a black one-shoulder jumpsuit and white blazer combo
Gbenga Akinnagbe exuded class attire: he wore a fitted black suit, a white shirt that he left open at the top with no tie, and shiny black dress shoes.
The 44-year-old actor, best known for his role on The Wire, beamed the entire time he posed on the red carpet.
Patina Miller showcased her fashion sense in a two-tone white dress that featured a solid white pattern on the front and sheer fabric on the back, which helped show off her amazing figure.
The 38-year-old Sister Act star of Broadway and the West End also wore heels and had her long locks pulled back into a ponytail.
First and foremost: Poet Hanif Abdurraqib, 39, hosted the BAM gala in a unique black tuxedo
Cool cat: Wire actor Gbenga Akinnagbe, 44, wore a fitted black suit to the gala
Chic: Patina Miller, 38, a star of The Sister Act on Broadway and the West End, looked stunning in a two-tone white dress with sheer fabric at the back
Ilana Glazer struck a pose or two alone and again with her husband David Rooklin while the couple held hands.
Showing her risqué side, the 36-year-old comedian and actress wore a black suit consisting of a shirtless blazer underneath and her dark hair styled with all her natural waves and curls, about shoulder length with a center parting.
By going shirtless, the New York native showed more than a hint of her cleavage, but also risked a wardrobe malfunction.
Rooklin, 42, a scientist, wore black pants, a tan shirt and black shoes as she snuggled up next to his wife and held hands for the photo session.
Family matters: Comedian and actress Ilana Glazer, 36, stepped out in a black suit alongside her husband David Rooklin, 42, a scientist, who wore black pants and a tan shirt
Risky: Glazer took the risk of a wardrobe malfunction by wearing her suit shirtless
The team: BAM President Gina Duncan (middle) posed with Jeanne Donovan Fisher and Natalia Chefer on the gala’s red carpet
Founded in 1861, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a performing arts venue in Brooklyn, New York, often known as a center for progressive and avant-garde performance.
It premiered in 1861 and began operations in 1908 at its current location in Brooklyn.
Registered as a New York State non-profit organization, the academy is “the home of adventurous artists, audiences and ideas—and engaging both global and local communities.” With world-renowned programs in theater, dance, music, opera , film and much more, BAM showcases the work of emerging artists and innovative modern masters,” says the organization’s website.
Gina Duncan has served as the organization’s president since April 2022, while David Binder has served as artistic director since 2019.