The Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library Spring Gala 2026

The Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library (FYPL) will host its annual Gala on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 6-9 p.m. at the Riverfront Library at One Larkin Center in downtown Yonkers. Tickets for the event are on sale now. 

The theme of the event, Building Readers, Building Yonkers, emphasizes the role of the Yonkers Public Library in supporting literacy throughout the city, in many forms.

“The Library helps people get the information, the entertainment they want, and discover new things they might not have known about,” said Nancy Maron, president of the Foundation. “This event helps the Foundation keep YPL moving forward to support all Yonkers residents.”

The Gala’s 2026 honoree is Mayor Mike Spano. “Mayor Spano and his administration have been true partners and friends to YPL and helped make us a better library system. We’re excited to honor him and recognize that partnership at the gala,” said Jesse Montero, library director.

Guests will enjoy the glamour of a party in the expansive first floor Atrium, and be treated to:

•Cocktail reception catered by beloved Yonkers restaurant Zuppa

•Live music by COCOMAMA! Salsa, soul, R&B, Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz

•Fun Foto Booth to make & capture memories

•A cause auction to support the YPL

•FREE garage parking available to early ticket purchasers

Tickets for the gala are $200. “Early bird” pricing of $175 per ticket is in place through April 3rd. Discounted tickets will also be offered for educators, librarians, and students.

To purchase sponsorships, tickets, and journal ads, please visit foundationforypl.org/gala. Funds raised will support educational and cultural programming.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR THE YONKERS PUBLIC LIBRARY:

The Foundation for the Yonkers Public Library is an independent not-for-profit organization, created in 2017 by the trustees and administrators of YPL as a means to actively support and enrich the programming, spaces, and collections of the Library. Among the signature programs The Foundation has sponsored are 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Teacher in the Library, and the teen arts programs at the Riverfront Art Gallery. For more information visit: www.foundationforypl.org.

ABOUT THE YONKERS PUBLIC LIBRARY:

For 130 years, The Yonkers Public Library (“YPL”) has been an essential and dynamic institution whose dedicated staff provide outstanding service, meaningful collections, and impactful programs in welcoming and inspiring spaces for the people of Yonkers. With three locations: Riverfront Library, Grinton I. Will Branch and Crestwood Branch, YPL’s vision is to improve the life in Yonkers for everyone by fostering literacy, culture, connection and community. For more information about the Yonkers Public Library, visit www.ypl.org.

ABOUT COCOMAMA: 

A virtual United Nations of women, members of Cocomama hail from around the globe gathering their influences from far and wide. Salsa, soul, R&B, Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz are among the items on the menu whenever they hit the stage creating a sound that is all at once fierce and beautiful!

Cocomama has enchanted audiences at the United Nations, Central Park, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York City Marathon, Joe’s Pub, Studio 54, Martha’s Vineyard Summerfest, the Cape May Jazz Festival, the Montclair Jazz Festival, the Northampton Jazz Festival, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Musikfest, the Spoleto Music Festival, the Michigan’s Women’s Festival and have served as musical ambassadors for the US State Department in Latin America. Their most recent album, Evolucion (2025) is a “musical laboratory” drawing upon each member’s creative voice through collaborative composing and arranging. This project was made possible by the Performance Plus Grant from Chamber Music of America.