Down for the cause
I put on a suit and tie last night and tried to pass my way into high society. I attended a charity auction for my employer, an annual event that raises literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in just a few hours time.
With honorary co-chairs from the worlds of fashion and show business, like Todd Oldham, Lucie Arnaz, Alan Cumming, Eve Ensler, Natasha Richardson and Susan Sarandon; donated auction items from some of the largest companies and finest boutiques in New York; and personally shot donated photographs from still more celebrities like Fran Drescher, Missy Elliot, Linda Evangelista, Tim Robbins and Chloe Sevigny, the event drew some of the wealthiest people with a social conscience to the Puck Building in SoHo.
As someone who has spent most of his life either in the arts or the non-profit world, I don’t often rub elbows with the fashionistas and glitterati. (Ok, I never do. I told you I was trying to pass.) In both a silent, and a live auction conducted by an auctioneer from Sotheby’s, this was the crowd that can start the bidding at a high four figures and work upward, all with ease. People with perpetual tans, not from spending the afternoon under a sun lamp, but because they flew in from their winter home on an island somewhere. People so rich, an unshaven rumpled look is a fashion--not income--statement. In other words, people not like most of the folks I know.
The overwhelming majority of the clients our agency serves are people of color, mostly low-income, previously homeless, some formerly incarcerated or marginally educated, all living with HIV/AIDS. Our donor base is, ethnically at least, the exact opposite. Affluent Whites, many of them gay men, often coupled. Older, White presumably heterosexual couples were also in attendance. The absence of well-heeled Blacks (who do live in this city, I’ll have you know) as well as a significant number of Black gay couples was quite noticeable however. It was interesting to see how simple it is for some people to support their pet projects when they have the financial wherewithal to do so. Perhaps one day, I’ll hover in that world legitimately.
The food was sumptuous and the drinks flowed freely, both served by more gay wait staff than you can sling a dead cat at. But shirtless bartenders at a charity function is a bit over the top, don’t you think? I bid on a few silent auction items but haven’t heard yet if I was high bidder. At one point, our CEO and I were in a bidding war for the same item. Following the live auction, a musical guest, the lovely and talented Billy Porter sang, “The Look of Love” and I swear he was singing it directly to me. (He was. I swear!)
When it was over, I got my coat from the check room and was given a very heavy gift bag courtesy of InStyle magazine, and as others filed out into taxis and private cars, I hopped the D train back to reality.
TrackBack
Well at least you have to spill about the gift bag. Let us live vacriously.
Posted by: Michelle at February 11, 2005 4:27 PMMagazines and toiletries mostly. Promotional giveaways from lots of companies. I got a lovely personal mirror, lipstick and eyeliner from MAC. I can keep the mirror at least.
Posted by: Bernie at February 11, 2005 4:30 PMThat was going to be my question. What was in the girft bags? I love a good gift bag...
Posted by: rocka at February 11, 2005 4:58 PMwait...you went to an event....wow, i've got some catching up to do...
Posted by: ej at February 12, 2005 9:16 AMUm ... i'll take that makeup if you're not going to use it. Seriously. LOL!!!
Posted by: malik at February 12, 2005 1:25 PMBilly Porter something fierce. He's majorly talented and a true character in the grandest sense.
Posted by: TeKay at February 16, 2005 12:02 PM