Copyright 2009 The New York Sun Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:33:07 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about webmaster@nysun.com en-us Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/hamptons-benefit-pick.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/hamptons-benefit-pick.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:53:00 EST There are still benefits going on in the Hamptons, but here's one you haven't seen covered year after year. WordTheatre, an L.A.-based version of the Moth, celebrating the art of oral storytelling only with more celebrities and less spontaneous material, is coming to Guild Hall tonight (Saturday the 27th) for an evening of readings to benefit the esteemed Pushcart Prize. It all sounds fresh to us, a little more downtown lit culture scene than we typically see on the East End. Who's on deck? Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/last-days-for-abraham-lincoln-in-new-yor.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/last-days-for-abraham-lincoln-in-new-yor.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:12:00 EST Real estate investor Lawrence Benenson, who spreads his philanthropy around in heart-felt and often off-the-radar ways, hosted a reception last night at Federal Hall to celebrate the exhibit "Abraham Lincoln in New York." Mounted by the Rail Splitter, an organization of historians, collectors, and dealers, the show is a fascinating assembly of Lincoln memorabilia, including three "stove top" letters (letters Lincoln was about to put into the fire, had a cabinetmaker watching not stopped him and Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/kelli-ohara-woody-allen-to-play-at-cafe-.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/kelli-ohara-woody-allen-to-play-at-cafe-.html Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:01 EST Seeing Bobby Short and Eartha Kitt play at the Carlyle are perhaps our most romantic, magical memories of our first years in New York. More recently we were treated to one of Mary Sharp Cronson's parties upstairs at the hotel (once owned by her brother), to say farewell to dancer Nicolaj Hübbe when he left New York City Ballet to become artistic director at Royal Danish Ballet. So when we think of how we will lift our spirits come fall, we are happy to think about spending a night at the Cafe Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/championing-illustration-laurie-norton-m.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/championing-illustration-laurie-norton-m.html Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:11:00 EST The culture vultures of the Berkshires enjoy Berkshire Living's monthly series, "The Rest of the Story," at which the editor of the magazine, Seth Rogovoy interviews a subject of an article. Today Mr. Rogovoy interviewed the director of the Norman Rockwell Museum, Laurie Norton Moffatt, joined by Lesley Ann Beck, who wrote about the museum in the June issue. The article and talk highlighted two initiatives of the museum in Stockbridge designed by Robert A.M. Stern, marking its 40th anniversary Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/dancin-in-the-rain-gala-galoshes-etc-at-.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/dancin-in-the-rain-gala-galoshes-etc-at-.html Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:15:00 EST We are up in the Berkshires for the weekend, about to listen to a Berkshire Living talk on the Norman Rockwell Museum, but before we go, here are three especially sunny photos from last night's Jacob's Pillow gala. You could say the rain glistened, rather than soaked guests. We'll have more tonight, including serendipity for Andrea Miller's Gallim Dance, which performed, and thoughts on the preservation of dance, prompted by Merce Cunningham receiving Jacob's Pillow annual dance award Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/one-couples-fall-preview-explosions-and-.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/one-couples-fall-preview-explosions-and-.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:26:00 EST We caught up with artist E.V. Day and writer and entrepreneur Ted Lee, who are married, at the Whitney Art Party, where we learned about their fabulous fall plans. Ms. Day has been rummaging through New York City Opera's costume warehouses identifying costumes she will blow up and display, artfully, on the promenade of the David H. Koch Theater throughout City Opera's fall season (and longer, if New York City Ballet digs it too). She's done this before: at the Lever House, with bridal gowns Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/three-looks-we-loved-at-the-whitney-art-.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/three-looks-we-loved-at-the-whitney-art-.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:03:00 EST The fabulous head gear comes second nature to milliner Eugenia Kim (above), but it's her combination of the reminiscent-of-a-feather (in all the right ways) topper with white eye makeup and bright yellow dress that impresses us. Yes, it's a zing, zing, zing -- so much for balance -- but for an art and fashion gathering, it's just the thing. She looks fresh and summery in an edgy, sophisticated way. These two Southern ladies hadn't seen each other in a while -- but their good style must have Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/bryant-parks-swank-new-porch-opens-today.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/bryant-parks-swank-new-porch-opens-today.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:38:00 EST To promote its new service out of LaGuardia, Southwest Airlines is sponsoring a new area in Bryant Park for the summer, dubbed the Southwest Porch, which opened today at noon. Given the tough economic times, getting a new civic amenity supported by a corporate sponsor feels like a luxury, and in fact, this one most certainly is a luxury. On the merits of design alone, the place is a win. It feels like a patio bar in a resort, with hanging chairs, swings, rocking chairs, and lounge chairs, all Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/nypl-thanks-new-yorkers-for-support-of-k.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/nypl-thanks-new-yorkers-for-support-of-k.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:24:57 EST Take a close look at the two talents in this video message from the New York Public Library: they're the ones leading staff, board, and passionate citizens to create the libraries for the 21st...even the 22nd centuries. For now, though, we can all be happy that the city budget approved for next year is allowing the libraries to stay open six days a week Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/a-whitney-moment-with-heather-hart.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/a-whitney-moment-with-heather-hart.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:06:28 EST It's 11 p.m., and Heather Hart is standing about 8 feet away from her artwork, "Haute," on display at the Whitney Contemporaries Art Party. "I've been thinking about iconic forms and spaces that have been inherited through the generations. Cotton is one of those things, and I wanted to play with it viscerally. The image is a film still from Ousmane Sembène's "Black Girl." Ms. Hart says she made the work while she was in the Whitney's Independent Study Project. "It gave me a context for things Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/nonprofit-excellence-awards.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/nonprofit-excellence-awards.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:38:00 EST Monthly performance reports for every program; required public speaking for all employees; implenting job sharing to save money in the downturn: these were just some of the management practices touted at the annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards yesterday at the TimesCenter, during interviews with the six finalists. At the end of the day, the award for Overall Management Excellence went to New York Cares, which organizes volunteers to work on more than 1,000 projects a month. Some of its best Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/the-art-of-the-art-party.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/the-art-of-the-art-party.html Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:11:00 EST The Whitney Contemporaries, a patrons group for the art-curious aged 21 to 40, held its annual downtown bash last night at Skylight. This quote, by the Whitney's founder, summed up the spirit of the evening. And so Calvin Klein, Bradley Cooper, oodles of models, fashion editors, and designers came together with artists and others in the art world, to raise money for the museum's Independent Study Program, which gives artists time and space and context to develop their work. One side of the room Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/a-lovely-partybut-where-was-mr-knickerbo.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/a-lovely-partybut-where-was-mr-knickerbo.html Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:27:00 EST The old Dutchman Diedrich Knickerbocker, with his black coat and cocked hat, was a no show last night at Betsy Bradley's book party, even though he was more or less the guest of honor. Perhaps he did not know how to find his way to Anthony and Margo Viscusi's apartment on the Upper West Side, which is so far afield from his Lower Manhattan comfort zone. Or he may have been at one of his eponymous haunts -- the Knickerbocker Club, Knickerbocker Grill, or Knickerbocker Avenue -- completely Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/lincoln-center-gets-the-bergdorf-goodman.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/lincoln-center-gets-the-bergdorf-goodman.html Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:07:00 EST Two first-time attendees to the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards tonight will be the president of Lincoln Center, Reynold Levy, and his wife, Elizabeth Cooke Levy. Now that Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts will be the site of the Fashion Week (starting in September), you might see more arts administrators making the rounds in the fashion world. I think George Steel and Andre Leon Talley will get along famously. Helping to cement the connection between Lincoln Center and high Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/at-wildlife-gala-ladies-go-wild-for-judi.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/at-wildlife-gala-ladies-go-wild-for-judi.html Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:52:00 EST At the Wildlife Conservation Society's black-tie gala last week, the accessory of choice was a minaudiere -- that's the tiny gem of a purse, fanciful and impractical (pronounced me-no-dyear -- the term is of French origin) -- from Judith Leiber. This designer has been a longtime favorite, for charity ball goers, and a few First Ladies, too. But it was unusual to have so many of the tiny, crystal-laden purses -- which sell for roughly $3,000 to $7,000 -- out on the same night. We counted more Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/the-janklow-ambition.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/the-janklow-ambition.html Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:19:00 EST Just found this story in the June issue of Vogue, in which literary agent and writer Luke Janklow -- son of uber-lit-agent Mort Janklow and arts access advocate Linda Janklow -- recounts how he and his wife, Julie, pulled off opening their restaurant Sweetiepie -- that totally adorable hot spot for kids and girlfriends alike in the West Village -- in the midst of recession, not to mention a major home renovation. Apparently, it's working out okay, because Mr. Janklow is speculating about Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/engaged-dr-xiulu-meng-to-aubrey-reuben.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/engaged-dr-xiulu-meng-to-aubrey-reuben.html Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:22:00 EST Celebrity photographer Aubrey Reuben, who for two decades has been a snap-happy widower about town, mainly on Broadway, often for The New York Post, and almost always with a beautiful woman on his arm, is engaged to Dr. Xiuli Meng, who practices physical medicine and rehabilitation at New York Downtown Hospital. "It happened by accident," Mr. Reuben said yesterday at the Wildlife Conservation Society gala in Central Park. "We were playing Broadway tunes at home, and 'Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/community-spirit-shines-if-not-the-sun-a.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/community-spirit-shines-if-not-the-sun-a.html Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:18:00 EST The inclement weather displaced the event from the Cranford Rose Garden, but Brooklyn Botanic Garden's supporters were still rosy at the garden's annual fund-raising event tonight, which honored Dr. Peter Raven, a botanist who heads the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Independence Community Foundation, which has provided operational support to the garden. RELATED: An Online Photo Album Where You Can Order Copies of Photos Our first conversation was with a program officer at the Independence Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/new-york-citys-first-chief-service-offic.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/new-york-citys-first-chief-service-offic.html Tue, 9 Jun 2009 17:21:00 EST Mayor Michael Bloomberg today named Diahann Billings-Burford as the city's Chief Service Officer, responsible for leading NYC Service, a city-wide initiative to promote volunteerism launched by the city in April. The Mayor's office claims the municipal-level position is the first of its kind in the nation, although two states, California and New York, have cabinet level posts charged with promoting service. Ms. Billings-Burford joins other young talent in the Bloomberg administration charged Amanda Gordon http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/new-chair-at-lincoln-center-katherine-fa.html http://www.nysun.com/blogs/out-and-about/2009/06/new-chair-at-lincoln-center-katherine-fa.html Mon, 8 Jun 2009 23:35:00 EST A senior managing director at Tishman Speyer, Katherine Farley, will take the reins as Lincoln Center's chairman in June 2010, the performing arts center's board announced today after its annual meeting. She will be the second woman to hold the position; Beverly Sills served from 1994 to 2002. For the next year, Ms. Farley will serve as chairman designate sharing responsibilities with the current chairman, Frank Bennack, elected in 2005; he is chairman of Hearst. The organization, with an