Results tagged “fundraiser”

Andrew Cuomo, the frontrunner in all the gubernatorial matchups even though he won't say whether he's running, is having a fundraiser next Tuesday. PolitickerNY has the invite, which says, "Andrew Cuomo is having extraordinary success as Attorney General, and his insights into this year’s elections (and next year's) will be very interesting," and notes that since it takes place during voting hours, it's "Not exactly a shot in the arm for Democrat Bill Thompson's effort that day."

President Obama is in town today to meet with the FBI agents credited with stopping a terrorist plot to bomb NYC subways. But that pat on the back at FBI headquarters near City Hall is just the morning's agenda; in the evening it's all about the Benjamins. (Or, rather, the Grover Clevelands.) Tonight the President will speak at a $30,400-per-couple dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel at Columbus Circle; the event is expected to raise $2 million to $3 million for the DNC. Want to see Barry but dating a deadbeat who can't float the 30 grand for the Mandarin? All is not lost.

       

Time to test your own waters to see if you're brave enough to take a boat ride in the Gowanus Canal (home to the gonohorrea bacteria and other little treats).

We all know by now that Wall Street turns to Congress when it needs a bailout. But where in turn do the House and Senate turn when their failed presidential bids are still mired in debt for their bailout ? Why, Bon Jovi, of course. Fresh off the Lost Highway Tour, Bon Jovi will play at Town Hall on the 15th on behalf of another lost highway of sorts: Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Hillary and Bill will be in attendance for photo ops for $1000 ticket holders who they hope will help eradicate the $6 million plus the campaign was still in debt as of last month. The invitation to the concert told donors who had already hit the limit in donating to Clinton that they can attend the event if they recruit two or more people at a certain seating level. Before the concert, VP-elect Joe Biden will help out the cause with a fundraiser in Philadelphia. With all of the love JBJ has shown the Democrats in hosting fundraisers previously for President-elect Obama and the losing Kerry and Gore bids that preceded him, we're surprised that he won't get to burn a "Blaze of Glory" through the inaugural ball.

December 8th is just around the corner, and soon Strawberry Fields will be flickering with candles in memory of John Lennon, who was killed 28 years ago. On that day, decades ago, Joe Raiola was driving a cab when he heard sportscaster Howard Cosell announce Lennon's death on the radio, he told The NY Times: “I was on Queens Boulevard. I almost smashed into a telephone pole.” Raiola's long-running annual remembrance, one of the many for the Beatle, is called the Lennon Tribute. The now senior editor of Mad Magazine, pitting a fundraiser against the current economic climate, has been faced with suggestions to cancel the "shoe-string variety show" this year. Ultimately, the show will go on, with Railoa reminding that “Everything about this event is secondary to getting together to celebrate and remember John Lennon." In attendance next Sunday at the Ailey Citigroup Theater will be Rosanne Cash and many others presenting "a bill of entertainment heavy with Lennon and Beatles songs." Proceeds will go to the non-profit World Hunger Year.

Friends of former NYPD Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik are throwing him a fund-raiser to help with his legal bills. Kerik was indicted on federal charges including tax fraud and perjury last November and previously pleaded guilty to accepting over $200,000 in gifts while working for the city. According to the Post, this isn't the first time a Kerik fund-raiser has been planned: A source says, "He tried this on the last go-round. But it never got off the ground. No one wanted to come [to his dinners]. People didn't want to be involved with him anymore. His friends all turned their backs on him." Does that include BFF Rudy Giuliani?!? At any rate, the fund-raiser at a NJ hotel has a minimum "donation" of $75 to attend.

Last night both Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel took the stage for Barack Obama at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The Daily News reports back that the two were "singing together for the first time ... to the delight of 2,500 people at the fund-raiser." The Boss told the audience to "Palin-ize" their expectations for the night, since the two had only rehearsed a little. Michelle Obama looked on from a balcony, as everyone was urged to "rise up and take back this country." The good seats cost $10K, and the likes of Anna Wintour and Harvey Weinstein were on hand, while Marc Jacobs-designed Obama tees were being peddled at the merch table. Joel invited his daughter Alexa Ray onstage and thanked "Sen. Obama for finally getting my kid into politics." Obama himself appeared on stage around 11:30 p.m., and warned the audience: "Don't underestimate the capacity of Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Don't underestimate our ability to screw it up. I want everybody running scared."

Those cheeky Post reporters relish any opportunity to cut lose with the double entendres, and what better excuse than news about a dominatrix who's come forward to defend the owner of the S&M club where she worked. One "Mistress Ardenne" is encouraging customers to book time with her so she can raise money to help bondage dungeon master Collin Reeve "get off" (tee-hee), the tabloid reports. You'll recall that Reeve was arrested last week and charged with running a prostitution den where, for a little extra cash, clients could get more than just a slap on the back. So now Ardenne is donating some of her income to his legal defense; all she needs is someone to donate a spare dungeon to crack her whip in while Rapture remains closed.

Earlier this year, vintners Paul Wegimont and Greg Sandor opened Bridge Urban Winery, an offshoot of their North Fork vineyard. Nestled by the Williamsburg Bridge in a blossoming artisanal corridor that includes Marlow & Sons and Diner, their sleek yet cozy wine bar specializes in strictly New York State wine, as well as food pairings prepared with all locally-sourced ingredients.

Last night in Chelsea, Dave Chappelle no-showed at a fundraiser he was slated to headline for the congressional campaign of Kevin "Real World" Powell. After waiting around for over three hours, the crowd of a few hundred was told that Chappelle had missed not one, but two planes out of Ohio. To add insult to injury, Powell mentioned more than once that Chris Rock was in the building, but did not want to take the stage due to "not wanting to disrespect another comedian." How this was supposed to appease the crowd who had paid $75 (minimum) a ticket for the rare Chappelle appearance was unclear. Hot 97's Angie Martinez also had some questionable logic for crowd control. While emceeing as the audience began jeering the phantom comedian, she responded, "Don't boo me. Boo yourselves."

Everything’s connected: Kevin Powell was a star in MTV’s very first season of The Real World – now he’s campaigning to be the congressional representative for a district that includes the location of the new Real World apartment in downtown Brooklyn. And not only that, Powell is enlisting the help of comedian Dave Chappelle, who once lampooned the reality series in a hilarious skit called The Mad Real World. Go ahead and take a minute to let all that sink in.

This Monday, June 16th, America's world-renowned French chefs are descending upon Rockefeller Center for Crème de la Crème, Citymeals-on-Wheels Chefs’ Tribute fundraiser to honor the legendary masters of French cooking.

Are Americans misogynistic? Elton John thinks so, and he thinks it may be hurting his friend Hillary's shot at the Oval Office. He addressed the problem to over 5,000 Clinton supporters at Radio City Musical Hall last night, saying, “I’ve always been a Hillary supporter. There is no-one more qualified to lead America. I’m amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country. And I say to hell with them... I love you Hillary. I’ll be there for you.”

Professor, author and activist Robert Thurman is widely regarded as the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism, having been a major force in the widespread introduction of Tibetan culture and religion to the west. In 1962, Thurman became the first American ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, but after a few years he shifted from strict monasticism to the more conventional lifestyle of an academic. Though currently on sabbatical to write another book, Thurman remains a beloved professor in the Religion Department of Columbia University. At the behest of the Dalai Lama, Thurman co-founded Tibet House with composer Philip Glass and others; this year’s annual Carnegie Hall benefit for the organization takes place next Wednesday, February 13th. The lineup thus far includes performances by Glass, Ray Davies, Phamie Gow, Nawang Khechog, Ashley MacIsaac, Marisa Monte, Sufjan Stevens & Tom Verlaine.