SOUTH NORWALK – Josie & Tony’s supper club was the scene Wednesday night for the inaugural Pride Gala hosted by its owner and sommelier Josh Mesnik. And the sold-out soirée raised more than $60,000 for Fairfield County’s Triangle Community Center while also celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Over a four-course Italian dinner, guests were serenaded by a curated cast of Broadway stars. The event also included a silent and live auction, and an after-party featuring DJ Lucas Walters — a standout in NYC’s nightlife scene.
“It was the perfect mix of entertainment and hospitality,” said Mesnik, who transformed his intimate supper club into a full-fledged cabaret for the cause. “We not only reached our fundraising goal; we blew past it. I’m so thrilled with the outcome, and I couldn’t have done it without my incredible team. Their passion and hard work made this dream possible.”
Beyond the music, the evening had deep emotional resonance. Before the paddle raise, Resnik shared a heartfelt testimonial about how Triangle Community Center personally affected his life, underscoring the urgent need to protect and uplift LGBTQ+ individuals across the country. He also performed “I Am What I Am” from La Cage Aux Folles which prompted a standing ovation from the crowd.
TCC Executive Director Rachel Simon echoed Josh’s sentiment.
“In this political moment, we are seeing more and more LGBTQIA+ individuals and families coming to safer states like Connecticut with established protections in rights and access to healthcare,” she said. “The funds raised tonight are essential to continuing our programs and life-saving services across Fairfield County.”
The acts who performed at the gala included Emily Klein, who played Essie in “Parade” on Broadway; Raissa Kaτονα Bennet, who starred as Christine Daae in “Phantom of the Opera;” Kelly Briggs, who performed on Broadway in “Les Misérables” and “CATS;” Mark Janas, a nationally renowned pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor who directed the world’s largest production of “Hello Dolly” and the National Tours of “Les Misérables.”
The silent auction included such items a an impossible-to-book NYC reservation, a private dinner in the Josie & Tony’s wine cellar featuring iconic world-class wines, a custom painting by fashion designer Christian Siriano, a guitar signed by Jon Bon Jovi, donated by Hampton Water, and tickets to the exclusive SuiteSixteen box at Madison Square Garden.
As the final dessert course was served Mesnik was satisfied in knowing he and his team had pulled off a night worthy of Broadway.
“I want this to be a new tradition,” Mesnik said. “A night where hospitality meets heart, and where love and identity are celebrated with elegance, passion, and purpose.”
