Living Landmarks

The head of New York Landmarks Conservancy, Peg Breen, with honorees George Kaufman, Robert Morgenthau, Baroness Mariuccia Zerilli Marimo, Tommy Tune, A.E. Hotchner, and past landmark and host Liz Smith.

The New York Landmarks Conservancy has a way of making the business of galas -- gathering people to eat smoked salmon and filet and cheer for some "honorees" -- fun. In fact, after sixteen years, the organization has it down to an art and science, as it proved tonight in the 16th edition of the "Living Landmarks" gala, held at Cipriani 42nd Street.

The method relies on the queen of entertainment writing, Liz Smith, who knows a thing or two about entertaining. She is a gracious, intelligent, witty, warm, and multi-talented host. She makes the evening into an event.

There are some celebrities involved -- Bill Cosby was on the premises to introduce honoree George Kaufman, who brought back Astoria Studios, and with it, a lot of film and television business, not to mention tourists.

Part of the fun is that the honorees are asked to talk about why they love New York, and what New Yorker doesn't love that. Broadway star Tommy Tune said, "The creativity is so thick, you wake up in the morning and your brain starts going. It's fertile ground." Baroness Mariuccia Zerilli Marimò, in a charming Italian accent, said, "New York is so wonderful because it's not a city. It's many cities."

Humor is always welcome at such affairs. Tonight it came from New York County's celebrated District Attorney, Robert Morgenthau, who is famously headed into retirement. He recalled having lunch with Sam Waterston, who plays a character on "Law and Order" based on Mr. Morgenthau. "I understood he was getting $25,000 an episode, so I said to him, 'When you're getting to retire, let me know, because I want your job.'" Watch out Mr. Waterston.

Even the band leader -- that would be past honoree Peter Duchin -- brought levity to the most mundane proceedings. "Please find your seat and sit on them," he said before the lights went down and the hands started passing around the bread baskets.

As for the photographer -- well, this year, that guy wound up as an honoree: Bill Cunningham of The New York Times became a "Living Landmark," described as "the Edith Wharton of photography."

But he wasn't the only one snapping: Here are some photos we took.