Out & About

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The New York Sun

Falling in the first week of November, the New York Public Library’s autumn gala marked a change in the weather, but not, as it turned out, one in the oval office.


On Monday night, 500 smart, powerful, and glamorous New Yorkers came out to toast four Library Lions: conductor James Conlon, diva Renee Fleming, scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., and editor David Remnick.


Though there was a chill outside, inside, a festive holiday spirit ruled, with the scent of nutmeg mixed with pine wafting through the air. The decor by David Monn transformed the library into a winter wonderland, with white bark covering pillars, tables, and chairs and white candles flickering from glass hurricane lamps and regal candelabras. And, of course, there was red: all the honorees wore red ribbon around their neck, from which dangled their heavy Lion medals.


To start the evening, there were handshakes from the president of the library, Paul LeClerc, chairwoman emeriti Elizabeth Rohatyn, and other event hosts including Catie and Donald Marron and Annette and Oscar de la Renta. Then guests were free to roam Astor Hall and rub elbows with the famous: Barbara Walters, Candice Bergen, Nan Kempner; hug the adorable: Susan and Donald Newhouse, Thomas Lee and Ann Tenenbaum, Rosetta Miller, and admire the elegant: Gayfryd Steinberg, Shirley Lord, and Evelyn Lauder.


Trumpets beckoned guests to dinner in the Celeste Bartos Forum, lined with bare tree branches and curtains of Swarovski crystals. The tables, designed by Ms. Steinberg, featured centerpieces of mushrooms, fruit, and mirrored balls. The repast included smoked salmon napoleans, chicken scaloppine with braised fennel and fava beans, and warm brownie pudding.


To complete the evening, guests received stocking stuffers – books by the honorees (and in Mr. Conlon’s case, a CD), tied with white ribbon. Indeed, for all the guests that night, the good company and the good cause felt like a gift.


The New York Sun

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