Just before the summer fully takes hold, the Urban Arts Partnership threw a very grown-up version of the Prom last night. Hosted by Rosie Perez and Rachel Dratch, the event was a snazzier take on your average high-school affair, with performances by Dres of Black Sheep and DMC of Run-DMC. While, thankfully, there were few corsages to be seen, there were a few other trappings of high school in evidence, including a prom portrait studio—albeit one run by famed photographer Santiago. LEFT: ROSIE PEREZ, MICHAEL KENNETH WILLIAMS

Although the party was prom-themed, it didn't break down into a high-school social hierarchy; everyone came together on the dance floor to celebrate and support arts education. The Urban Arts Partnership fosters arts education programs for public school children throughout New York. For Perez, who has worked with the foundation for nearly 20 years, introducing children to the arts has always been important to her. As a child, Perez suffered from a speech impediment until a teacher encouraged her to sing. Perez explains, "He went 'Rosie, when you sing, you don't have an impediment.' That was my first realization how powerful the arts could be. It changed my life."