Big Easy in the Big Apple

Preservation Resource Center’s “Jazzed in January”.

When the Big Easy’s partygoers hit the Big Apple to pay and play for the Preservation Resource Center, things got so hot on the 44th floor of the Hearst Tower one could hear the ice melting on the streets below. Billed as “Jazzed in January: New Yorkers Rebuilding New Orleans” the party honored Cathie Black, Hearst Magazines’ president for her staunch support of our city, including the restoration of eight homes and the sending hundreds of volunteers to the area where they have put in well over 100,000 hours taping, tacking, painting, plastering, drilling and decorating.

Co-chairs Debra Shriver and Anne Redd helped things get off to a warn start as Sazaracs came rolling out of Café Adelaide’s temporary Swizzle Stick Bar. Chefs Emeril Lagasse and Daniel Boulud traded toques, tastes, recipes and laughs for the elaborate and honorary nods went to Bryan Batt; House Beautiful Editor-In-Chief Stephen Drucker, Town & Country Editor-In-Chief Pamela Fiori; Abby and Eli Manning of New York Giants and Newman School fame; and author Julia Reed.

Ingrid Lucia’s sultry voice raised the heat level while Allen Toussaint poured on the piano. By the time Batt took the stage for an impromptu performance backed by the Dirty Soap Entertainment Band, the room was rocking. The benefit, attended by 300 guests, raised $225,000 for the Preservation Resource Center.

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