To celebrate the Year of the Snake in style, a star-studded charity dinner was held in New York City’s Chinatown. The event, hosted by renowned makeup artist Daniel Martin and beauty director Kathleen Hou, brought together celebrities like Lauren Graham, Lola Tung, Gretchel Mol, and Jenny Han for a night of giving back. The gathering took place at Phoenix Palace, a cozy Cantonese restaurant known for its artistic vibe and traditional dishes.
Over plates of chili crab noodles, shrimp puffs, and other Chinese delicacies, guests united to support Apex for Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved Asian and immigrant youth from low-income families. The event, supported by sponsors like OpenTable, Glow Recipe, and Tatcha, raised an impressive $20,000 for the organization. Additionally, the creative agency Prompt made donations to Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts on behalf of each attendee.
“We wanted to do something meaningful,” Martin shared. “The Year of the Snake is about shedding negativity and embracing renewal, so tonight is a celebration of community and togetherness,” Hou added, setting the tone for the evening.
Phoenix Palace was chosen as the venue for its inspiring backstory. Founded by four childhood friends, the restaurant was built to celebrate Chinese culture and give back to the Chinatown community. “We wanted to create a space that honors our heritage,” said co-owner Cory Ng.
The night was a perfect blend of glamour, culture, and philanthropy, proving that meaningful celebrations can make a real difference.
