What better time/reason to immerse yourself in pet-centric culture? Here’s our roundup of shows and events in New York City…
Friday, February 7
Kick off the weekend with the grandest four-legged haute couture event in town at the Hotel Pennsylvania – the 2014 New York Pet Fashion Show featuring “The Crown Jewels of Fashion & Rescue.” It’s a benefit for Gems of Animal Rescue in support of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals and 150 participants shelters and rescue groups: www.animalalliancenyc.org
Join a coterie of who’s who in the rarefied doggie world for a royal evening of Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses. The country’s elite pet designers have availed themselves to create stunning outfits for canine and their human models. Cute Dog aficionados will want to know which rescue doggie will be crowned “Rescue Dog of the Year,” and will get to strut the runway in an exclusive Diamond Dog Collar. The collar was created by famed jewelry designer Candy Udell of Long Island-based London Jewelers, a designer already famous for the $2.5 million custom bra she created for the Victoria’s Secret Angels runway show on CBS). For ticket information: www.NYPetFashionShow.com
Saturday, February 8 – The Masters Agility Championship
Agility for the mixed-breeds… For the first time in its history, the Westminster Kennel Club will be allowing mixed-breed canines to compete in an event. The Masters Agility Championship at The Westminster is in conjunction with its 138th Annual All Breeds Show taking place on February 10 – 11. All dogs will take centre stage at Pier 94 – between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. For ticket information: www.westminsterkennelclub.org
Saturday, February 8 – The NYC Doggies & Tiaras Pageant
All for a good cause… Canines compete in a pageant to benefit the animal charity Inky Blue Sea Animal Rescue: www.inkybluesea.org. The event takes place from 2-6 p.m. at Tette Club NYC, 154 Post Avenue, New York, NY 10034.
Pageant categories include Active wear, Glamor Wear and Talent/Most Entertaining. Judges include reality star and animal advocate Prince Lorenzo Borghese, actress and 2014’s Miss California USA Continental Shanna Olson, TV host and animal advocate Laura Nativo and Creator Art Director & Photographer Jo Lance.
It’s presented by award winning Pet Fashion designer Robert Negrin, ever so au courant in the pet fashion scene. He’s a firm believer in pet rescue and an advocate for charities and organizations in and out of the USA.
For ticket and information: www.hec-lin.com
Did you know… dogs gave birth to the phenomenon of beauty pageants? In the mid-19th Century, P.T. Barnum staged the earliest of these popular attractions at his dime museum in New York. Dogs, chicken, flowers and even children were displayed and judged by paying audiences. Who knew?
Sunday, February 9 – Barkfest Bonham’s Charity Brunch
The Barkfest at Bonhams is an event like no other… Take in dog culture along with your four-legged companion; enjoy tasty fare with like-minded dog lovers from 10 a.m. – Noon. Admission is a $50.00 donation to the AKC Humane Fund. Bonhams Auction House, 580 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022
For more information: [email protected] or call the RSVP line at 1-212-696-8306
