5th Annual Unplugged & Uncorked Marks Historic Fundraising Night for MOC

The fifth annual Unplugged & Uncorked brought together more than 550 guests at New York City’s iconic Ziegfeld Ballroom on Thursday, October 29, for a sold-out evening of exceptional wines, exclusive experiences, and philanthropy benefiting Musicians On Call. This signature gathering of music and business industry leaders, philanthropists, and supporters helps expand MOC’s mission of delivering the healing power of music to patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments nationwide.

Founded in 2021 by Rich Schaefer, President of Global Touring at AEG Presents; Michael Dorf, Founder of City Winery; and Glenn Nordlinger, Founder of The Nordlinger Group, Unplugged & Uncorked has grown into a signature philanthropic gathering on the music industry’s fall calendar. This year’s celebration continued the event’s tradition of bringing together influential members of the music and business communities in support of a shared philanthropic mission. Guests enjoyed a curated selection of wines, opportunities to connect with fellow supporters, and an evening of charitable giving.

Musicians On Call started right here in New York City with a simple idea to bring live music to people who couldn’t get to it. What began with bedside performances at Memorial Sloan Kettering has grown into a mission that has reached more than 1.25 million people across all 50 states. We’re incredibly grateful to Rich, Michael and Glenn, and to everyone who came together to help us continue bringing comfort, connection and a sense of normalcy to patients and families during some of their hardest days. Pete Griffin, Musicians On Call President & CEO

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when Musicians On Call patient advocate Raynie Clark offered guests a moving firsthand account of what music did for her during her personal battle with leukemia, describing how those moments of connection, comfort, and joy transformed her time in the hospital during some of the most difficult days of her life. She was joined by MOC Volunteer Musician and breakout artist, ROSIE, who led the crowd in a spirited singalong of the hospital favorite “Sweet Caroline,” bringing to life the healing power of music at the heart of MOC’s mission.

Broadway and television actor Christopher Hanke, whose Broadway credits include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Rent and Cry-Baby, served as emcee and auctioneer. Additional highlights of this year’s event included silent and live auctions, featuring an array of exclusive packages spanning wine, sports, travel, and entertainment. Offerings included a two-day Napa Valley Insider’s Collection experience, an immersive Bordeaux wine experience, the first tickets to Noah Kahan’s newly announced “The Last of the Bugs World Tour,” access to an exclusive five-course dinner with comedian and actor Lewis Black featuring two of the world’s most coveted wines, and a mystery package that surprised a winner with an all-inclusive London getaway to experience the West End production of Hamlet Hail to the Thief. Silent auction packages were available for online bidding, allowing supporters beyond the ballroom to participate in the fundraising effort.

The 2026 Unplugged & Uncorked was possible thanks to support from Grand Cru Sponsors Legends Global, Citi and Oak View Group; Premier Cru Sponsors Maestro Cares Foundation, Michael Falcon, The Nordlinger Group, The Team, AXS, VanAndel Arena, ASM Grand Rapids, Hyundai Hope on Wheels and StubHub, and entertainment, healthcare and additional industry supporters who purchased tables.