SCENE + HEARD: Free Yoga, Boys in Bow Ties and Other Things We Discovered at the Center Dinner

(Jason Haas & DJ Lina @ The Hammerstein Ballroom) 
The New York City LGTB Community Center held its annual Center Dinner Monday night at the glam Hammerstein Ballroom . The gala’s main thrust was to bid adieu to outgoing Center president Bruce Anderson, with performances by the Glee-whiz Youth Pride Chorus as well as funny-lady songstress and recent Point Honor recipient Jane Krakowski. 
 
After Anderson got his kudos, we shimmied over to the post- gala cocktail hour produced by the Center’s Young Leaders Council. DJ Lina  was in the house to spin a smooth mix of R&B, pop and lounge hits while adorable boys in bowties and tailormade suits strolled around and sipped champagne.
 
We caught up with YLC organizer Jason Haas, who's been donating his time (and cash money) to the Center for almost a decade. He sees his mission as getting gays to understand that the Center is as fresh and exciting as our community. “The biggest misconception... is that it's a museum that people go to look at relics of yesteryear,” Haas opined as photo-booth pics streamed overhead. “Many people are missing out on the hundreds of events that happen at the Center— advocacy programs, photography classes, painting classes.”  As for Mr. Haas, he prefers to get him om on at the 13th Street hub. “I really like the free yoga. They get these great instructors who come and donate their time."
 
Haas admits its not all twinks and tweens at the Center, but he sees that as a plus. “The age range is really cool. You might find that you're talking with someone who is a generation or two older, who shares some great stories. It brings a lot different people from an array of backgrounds together, different ages, races, gender  identites and [ethnicities].”
 
Hmm, we may have to clear our schedules out to pop by the Center to check out the new 20-foot long rainbow flag and see who’s mulling around! –Christopher Dilley