Hulaween & Halloween

The Saints from STUDIOS Architecture at Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project’s Annual Hulaween Gala.

For one night, the Waldorf=Astoria on Park Avenue was turned into a voodoo-infused bayou for guests attending the star-studded-always-sold-out annual Hulaween Gala Benefit for Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project (NYRP). Guestswere invited to unleash their ghastly, ghostly and ghoulish imaginations in the evening’s New Orleans-inspired festivities, hosted by Judy Gold, with a costume contest judged by Michael Kors, a performance by Harry Connick, Jr., and a world-class menu designed by chef John Besh.

Joining Ms. Midler and Martin von Haselberg, Harry Connick, Jr. and Jill Goodacre, Judy Gold, Michael Kors and Lance LePere, were Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Billy Crystal, Questlove, Nina Garcia, Glenn Close and David Shaw, John Heilemann, Kate Lear and Jon LaPook, John Demsey, Clifford Ross, Linda Allard, Jurate Kazickas and Roger Altman, Margo and Jimmy Nederlander, Tonne Goodman, Tim DiSalvo, Paul Cavaco, Behnaz Sarafpour, Lauren Buccellati, Kathy and Ben Needell, Dick and Ellen Levine, Todd DeGarmo, Amy Freitag – Executive Director of NYRP, and legions of other generous donors.

The scene of Hulaween: Waldorf Grand Ballroom

Hulaween centerpieces

NYRP is a non-profit organization dedicated to reclaiming and restoring New York City parks, community gardens and open space in under-resourced communities. Unlike traditional conservancies that care for a specific place, NYRP works citywide, bringing private resources to spaces that lack adequate municipal support. In partnership with the City of New York, NYRPis also leading MillionTreesNYC– an initiative to plant and care for one million new trees throughout the five boroughs; nearly 800,000 trees have been planted, with the 1 millionth tree slated to go in the ground by fall 2015, two years ahead of schedule.

Bette Midler

Judy Gold, Bette Midler, and Hugh Hildesley

Since the organization’s founding by Bette Midler in 1995, NYRP has achieved dramatic results by investing in the greening and beautification of communities in need throughout New York City. NYRPstaff, AmeriCorps members, and community and corporate volunteers have planted hundreds of thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers to support the restoration of public parks and community gardens; restored and revitalized four city parks in Northern Manhattan, and currently maintain Sherman Creek Park and Highbridge Park; and removed over 2,150 tons of garbage from the City’s green spaces.

Ms. Midler presented Michael Kors with the “Wind Beneath My Wings” Award for Leadership.

Katie Couric, Billy Crystal, and Bette Midler

Katie Couric

David Shaw, Bette Midler, and Glenn Close

Bette Midler with Mardi Gras Indian Show

As a master of visual communication and storytelling, Douglas Little Creative transformed the Waldorf Ballroom and stage into a steaming French Quarter nightspot by way of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” with a few Vampires thrown in for good measure. Added to the mix were the requisite Hula Dancers and non-traditional “traditional” Halloween objects that summoned the spirits to LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL.

Co-Chairs for the evening were: Linda Allard; The Coca-Cola Company; Todd DeGarmo; The Durst Organization; Vernon Evenson; and Ignatius J. Reilly.

For more information on NYRP and its various programs please visit www.nyrp.org

Kate Pierson (of the B52s)

John Demsey and Kelly Bensimon

Harry Connick, Jr. and Bette Midler

David Boyd

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Michael Kors

Ben Needell and Charlotte Glasser

Bette Midler and Hugh Hildesley

Charles Rosenthal, Phyllis Rosenthal, Ellen Levine, and Dr. Richard Levine

Sachi Rockland (dressed as an NYRP tree)

Sachi Rockland (with "tree" price tag)

Susan Siegel and Sandra Thomas

Richard Soloway and Donna Soloway

Jimmy Nederlander

Billy Crystal, Margo MacNabb Nederlander, and Patrick McMullan

Elysa Halpern and Judy Gold

Jon Recor and Daniel Stewart

Paloma Soledad and Douglas Little

Orange and Black polka dot balloons filled the entrance stairs to Doubles for their annual Halloween Celebrations. We especially loved the little people's costumes at the Ghosties and Goodies party. While Daisy Doodle painted 175 little faces, Magic Al had them laughing at and clapping to his many magic tricks. And after grilled cheese squares, chicken McDoubles and Halloween icing cookies, DJ Matt and MC Kevin had the dance floor filled. And nd on the way out ... every child was given a colorful Trick-or-Treat bag filled with lots and lots of candy.

Oyster Bay, New York ... Raynham Hall Museum was in high spirits and style on October 25th at a fabulous Halloween event celebrating the museum's reputation as a haunted house. Costumed or black-clad guests were greeted by some fine feathered friends -- owls and ravens -- on the arms of handlers from Volunteers for Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Center at Bailey Arboretum.

Guests then ventured through the dimly lit Colonial and Victorian mansion, decorated with Victorian-inspired spirit photos, wandering out eventually into a spookily decorated tent, where they danced the night away to classic rock blues and punk courtesy of the Mortimer-Lyons band.

Debra and John Bonifachio

Denyse Duval Pugsley and Victoria Crosby

The very creative and enthusiastic revelers were disguised as a wide variety of characters, from ancient history to Spy vs. Spy, including Madame Bovary, Titanic survivors, colonial dames and Fifty Shades of Grey's Anastasia.

Museum staff and happy volunteers impersonated moon beams, with the help of a little judiciously-applied face paint and silvery costumes. Treats included witches' fingers and sweet and savory concoctions from the cauldron of GreenPear catering in Locust Valley. Underwriting was graciously provided by Connie Cincotta and by Post Wine and Spirits.