Out & About
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Last night the Democratic festivities moved beyond Boston, as thousands gathered at convention-watching parties across America to hear Senator Kerry accept the party’s nomination for president. In New York, an elite group also celebrated the 85th birthday of Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, who hails from an illustrious Democratic family.
Up in Beantown, New Yorkers had a rousing start with visits from Al Franken and Ben Affleck at their final breakfast at the Boston Park Plaza. But by the end of the night, all the caucuses, cocktails, and cheering for the television cameras had taken its toll.The party scene was the tamest it had been all week – leaving Wednesday as the major blowout night.
The Creative Coalition transformed the elegant store Louis and the area outside its doors into a rock-concert venue. Under a white tent, the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed for two crowds – the party guests, who ate lobster, and the 20-somethings standing on the street in the rain.
New Yorkers had a party of their own, sponsored in part by Gotham magazine. After their roll call at the FleetCenter, they headed to the nightclub Avalon, near Fenway Park,for a “Gotham in Boston” party hosted by the New York State Democratic Committee and two organizations for young Democrats: Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century and YDemsCan.net. There were heaping buffets of crudites, hot dogs, and pretzels (authentic New York-style,but for the plastic dinner plates on which they were served). Not that anyone cared about the food. Spirits were high. People danced. The bands weren’t world-famous – Brian McKnight and a blond named Angel performed – but it didn’t matter. Steve Buscemi spoke to the crowd about being knocked off on “The Sopranos”: “Even my mother was blase about my dying.The night of the final episode, I called her up, and she said I looked very handsome and relaxed, dead.” Mr. Buscemi carried out the metaphor. “This November we are going to witness the death of the Bush administration,” he said. Alec Baldwin also spoke, gauging what was really on the minds of the youthful crowd. “I’m going to be brief, because tonight’s about food and booze and sex and booze and more sex,” he said.
