Opening Night At The Sanctuary, Roosevelt Island New Event Space A Jam Packed Success For Titan Theater Group Fundraiser - Invited RI Residents Liked It Too

The Sanctuary,

Roosevelt Island's new community event space and restaurant (restaurant starting in Spring) had it's debut opening night Monday, September 30  as a venue for the Queens based Titan Theater Group Gala Fundraiser. The space was jam packed with supporters of Titan Theater as well as invited Roosevelt Island residents.

Inside The Sanctuary Space tonight pic.twitter.com/CbEMNZbvg4

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) October 1, 2019

Meet The Sanctuary owner Frank (Turtle) Raffaele who spoke at the opening and describes his intent to develop The Sanctuary as a "community centric space" as well as his strong interest in helping local non profit organizations.



Among the local Roosevelt Island residents attending The Sanctuary's opening event were Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance Executive Director Kristi Towey, Assistant Executive Director Kimbirdlee Fadner and Director Jacki Lucid-Cusick. Ms Towey describes the opening night:

The event at The Sanctuary was very nice. It is a beautiful building. The space is still bare bones so the only complaint would be there were not chairs for most of the guests but I know that will change.

The event on Monday was quickly put together in that space from what I understand. I love that there is a little stage for musicians/singers to perform. The singers that performed Monday night at the event were great.

We were invited by Titan Theatre Company to attend. The company does amazing work in the Queens area producing classical theatre. We love supporting our theatre family and plan to meet with them soon to discuss future collaborations.

I really enjoyed meeting Frank Rafaelle, the charismatic owner of Glow Group and new manager of the space. He is on the board of Titan Theatre Company and is obviously passionate about the arts. His mission in other areas he has restaurants is to give a portion of the profits to local non-profits. I read a very interesting article about him and his company in Crain’s New York Business.

I look forward to hearing more about his mission and plan here on Roosevelt Island.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy was at the event too: Ms Berdy reports:

I was pleasantly surprised the see "The Sanctuary" Monday evening at it's premiere event.

I have known Holy Spirit Chapel since I moved to the island It was built in the 1920's to serve the Protestant patients at Metropolitan Hospital. It was closed as a house of worship many years ago. The minister who was still a chaplain at Metropolitan Hospital Reverend Hemm lived there with his family (and dogs) until the late 1970's or early 1980's/ He was eventually evicted by RIOC.

The building lay empty until the Redeemed Christian Church of God moved in. Later it was renamed Dayspring Church. It had many structural issues and was flooded in Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The congregation has now left and anew chapter will be told. with that this building be used for various activities and that the owners support our community. From my brief meeting it seems that our goals are conforming. When all the start up chores are complete the building may offer a new gathering place.

We look forward to having a venue that the community can use and enjoying the improvements made. Time will tell the outcome.

We will be included a full history of the building in our November 1 issue of "Blackwell's Almanac To subscribe for free e-mail rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com.

Roosevelt Island resident and Founder of Wildlife Freedom Foundation Rossana Ceruzzi added:

Congratulations to Frank Raffaele on a wonderful event! It was a pleasure meeting him and Francesca.

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal if there were any issues at The Sanctuary's opening event:

Any Public Safety problems with traffic, parking, noise complaints etc.

A RIOC spokesperson replied:

No issues, no complaints and everything went smooth thanks to the dedicated men and women of the Public Safety Department.

Here are some scenes from inside The Sanctuary's opening night fundraiser for the Titan Theater Company including wonderful performances by Bailey Seeker and Evan Harrington,





an overview of Titan by former NFL player Tony Richardson, currently on Titan's Advisory Board and Titan Artistic Director Lenny Banovez encouraging supporters to donate funds



and NYC Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer showing his support for Titan and the Arts.



This was a great event and am looking forward to more Roosevelt Island events at The Sanctuary as well as opening the restaurant in the Spring.