D AV I D PAT R I C K C O L U M B I A focusing on why woman are disproportionately affected by this disease. On the night before Halloween, Bette Midler was hosting her annual Halloween party, Hulaween, which benefits the New York Restoration Project. They were celebrating the 20th anniversary with “Hell Night on Hulaween Island: A Night to Dismember.” The evening honored New York Restoration Project founder, The Divine Miss M, with the “Green Goddess” Award and Dan and Sheryl Tishman with the “Wind Beneath My Wings” Leadership Award. Nile Rodgers and Chic performed a disco-filled set that had guests
on their feet. Comedian Judy Gold hosted. Fashion designer Michael Kors judged the Halloween costume contest. Among those in attendance: Jane Krakowski, Ta’Rhonda Jones, David Rockwell, Devon Windsor, Rachel Hilbert, and Kelly Bensimon. “This year New York Restoration Project and I celebrated 20 fantastic years of cleaning and greening New York City,” said Midler, who pointed out they were celebrating the planting of the one millionth tree in their MillionTreesNYC program (which was begun with former mayor Michael Bloomberg). This year’s theme was inspired by “B” horror films
that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, especially the 1966 film The Island of Doctor Moreau with its maniacal monsters and mollycoddled misfits. The table-scape for the guests consisted of an open grave constructed out of 25 pounds of crushed Oreo cookies piled onto the middle of the table. A sinister pickling jar sat atop the plot with The Divine Miss M’s severed head floating in the bloody vessel. Writhing in the sweet, cookie dirt were serpents, centipedes, and glittery cockroaches. Severed hands grasp through chocolate gravel, seeking their next victim. The next day, Friday was actually Halloween and, in New York, that is its own kind
of holiday. Then, the following day, Sunday, was the New York Marathon. So, nothing in town was slowing down. The following Monday was the annual Library Lions Gala, a major black-tie fundraiser for the New York Public Library. This event recognizes individuals for their outstanding achievements in the fields of art, culture, scholarship, and letters. This year’s honorees included Alan Bennett: the British playwright, screenwriter, author, playwright, and actor. Bennett became famous to American audiences 55 years ago in the Broadway hit Beyond the Fringe—an enormous sensation that also brought fame
B E N E F I T FO R A P O L L O C I R C L E AT T H E M E T R O P O L I TA N M U S E U M O F A R T
Haley Dresser and Hayden Ward 32 QUEST
Eva and Carson Albert
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Nicole Gertner and Eli Bronfman
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PAT R I C K M C M U LL A N
Jonathan Petts and Irina Margine