Cicely Tyson

The New York City Mission Society is celebrating its 200th birthday tonight—and with age comes a few privileges, like getting distinguished guests to join in your cause. Legendary actress Cicely Tyson (who’s bound for Broadway in an upcoming The Trip to Bountiful revival), the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and former Mayor David Dinkins will all be in attendance at tonight’s shindig honoring the society’s work on behalf of the city’s less fortunate. Tonight’s honorees include Ms. Tyson as well as former attorney Kathryn C. Chenault, who’s spent her post-courtroom years supporting the arts, education and health care across the city. We’ll be following her example and opening up our wallets at the silent auction.

The Pierre Hotel, 2 East 61st Street, cocktails and silent auction at 6pm, dinner and awards at 7:30pm, dancing at 9pm, tickets and information can be found at nycmissionsociety.org/bicentennial-gala.