Fandango-ing all over town

The scene last night at the 30th anniversary of Bob Hardwick’s career as a society bandleader. Photo: DPC.

New York nights. Yesterday was one of those overcast and white/grey days in New York with mild temperatures and terrible traffic.

There was so much going on last night I didn’t know where to start. I also had a long standing dinner date with Jesse and Karen Kornbluth and Duane Hampton at Le Cirque which I was really looking forward to. Because I’m always so eager to keep a foot in, a hand in and cover the New York scene, I don’t get a lot of time to spend with many of the people I like to sit and talk with.

So I missed out on a lot last night (which we’ll cover by the first couple of days next week). But I started at Nina Griscom’s shop on 70th and Lexington where she was holding a book party for her friend Sandy Hill (see The List). I had lunch with Sandy earlier in the week and I’m going to write about her new book “Fandango,” on Monday’s Diary. I stopped by Nina’s for a few pictures and just to see.


	Click to order Fandango.

I first met Sandy through our mutual friend Beth DeWoody back in 1990 when she was married to Bob Pittman and they were the hot young couple in New York. Serendipitously, I’m here in New York because of a connection that I made at a dinner the Pittmans had at their country house in upstate Connecticut. Several years ago Sandy married entrepreneur Tom Ditmer. They maintain residences in New York, California, Mexico and Miami. Mr. Ditmer, like his wife, is a people person. This book "Fandago" was inspired by their life together.

One of the things that’s great about these girls is that there is an effort made to complete the picture. For example, Sandy was all in red, with a bouquet of mainly red flowers on the table with her beautiful “Fandango” book cover which is also red. And, as you can see, she’s a beautiful woman who created a moment for her booksigning.

Just before I left I got a picture of her and Nina, the town’s blonde bombshell. Oh, I know there are other blondes and younger blondes, but there’s only one Nina. When I asked the two girls to pose I said, “look like you really know each other” (which they do anyway). What I got was laughter. I hope you can see it. It’s sometimes tough finding moments when you can have a good laugh over nothing but the laugh with a good friend. That’s what we got here.

Nina’s shop is small for a big crowd and I was only there for about forty-five minutes but it filled up, emptied and filled up again. I didn’t get a shot of the beautiful Valesca Guerrand-Hermes. She was going home to tuck her little ones in bed and I didn’t want to bother her. As I was waiting for a taxi to take me on, Cece Cord pulled up in one and so I got a shot of her exiting her cab.

Sandy and Nina ...

... and Sandy and Nina

Barbara Tober

Joanne Cassullo

Larry Spengler and Wendy Lerman

Lauren and Alexandra Lebenthal

Sandy Hill ...

... Meeting and greeting

Cece Cord arrives

I was on my way down to 583 Park, the Christian Scientist Church designed by Delano and Aldrich a century ago and now transformed by the enterprising Louis Rose into an event center during the week. Last night was the 30th anniversary of Bob Hardwick’s career as a society bandleader. There are three of this ilk these days in New York: Peter Duchin, Mike Carney, and Bob Hardwick. I know there are others, and good ones, but these guys are the titans of society swing.

Bob was in the banking business as a young man out of college but he was really always just a musician. I don’t know that made him make the move but in 1977 something hit him and he quit his day job and went out into the land of the self-employed. When you’re self-employed as Bob is, and I am, once you’ve made the break, you can’t go back. It’s sink or swim.

Bob and Beth Hardwick

Now, when you go to an event, like the opening of the ballet, the opera, or some big charitable event and you see Bob Hardwick at the piano, you know there’s gonna be a lotta dancing after dinner. Dancing is what makes any party a great party and a great bandleader holds the secret. I don’t care if you spend $20 million dollars on Madonna singing “Happy Birthday,” it’s the dancing that will keep the party rocking long into the night. Bob does that.

I was surprised to see so many people at this celebration last night. It’s the 30th anniversary of the band he started with Dick Fields and the 30th anniversary of his marriage to his wife Beth who is as enthusiastic about her husband’s business as if he’d started it yesterday afternoon. It was also his birthday (which was Halloween). A Scorpio. So it was a big night. I already had a dinner engagement as I said, but 583 was mobbed with friends last night and there was the Hardwick band (the Bob Hardwick Sound) on the stage playing. Everyone was having a great time. I cudda stayed and just had a good time seeing familiar faces and listening and watching. It felt like a reunion where even if you don’t know everybody you know you’re in the right place. I could have stayed with all that music and all those friendly voices.

But I had to get to Le Cirque by 7:30. Another great New York scene. Mobbed also. With the papa Sirio, the maitre d’ Mario and two of the sons: Mauro and Marco. A good time, lucky for all of us last night.

Bob Hardwick Sound fans

Mrs. Dick Fields and Beth Hardwick

Tina Sloan McPherson and Derek Limbocker

Also last night, at the Core Club, Renee and Richard Steinberg entertained friends with an exclusive screening of "The Kite Runner" followed by a dinner at the club. The picture is already one of those word-of-mouth hits. A friend of mine told me it was one of the most powerful films she's seen in a long long time. The Steinbergs brought this to their friends.

Richard Steinberg, Judith Ripka, Renee Steinberg, and Arlene Genatt

Stanley Bogen and Lou Sanders

Bob and Beth Brenner

Victoria Furman, Ali Sanders, and Renee Steinberg

David Genatt, Renee Steinberg, Peggy Schleif, Jane Ellen Gerstein, and Carla Goldworm

Jay Furman

Jamee Gregory reports on the pumpkins, ghosts, cobwebs and in-between on Halloween on the Upper East Side ...

Halloween is a wild night, fueled with sugared treats, high spirits and amazing costumes. The Upper East Side, home to many of the city’s private schools and last bastion of graceful streets filled with elegant town houses, rises to the occasion. Passing by on my morning walk, I am dazzled by the décor. Denizens go all out, covering their doorsteps with everything from pumpkins, ghosts, cobwebs and in-between. It is impossible to rush past these ephemeral creations without stopping to admire the effort and imagination that goes into these amazing displays.

Generous in spirit, these creations bring a smile to the face of adults and children alike. They are a gift to the neighborhood, asking only that observers share the pleasure, pausing to appreciate the creativity and whimsy of their creators. Entire blocks seem to enter a friendly competition, topping one another’s efforts. Strollers slow down to enjoy the view. Neighbors direct one another to the best streets.

Instead of rushing to their destination, cabs, trucks and even school buses slow down to take in the sights and no one honks. These creative efforts really stop traffic, compelling admiration from our busiest passerby. Nannies and mothers can offer their tiny charges a show that rivals any Broadway production, and it’s free. Senior citizens, some on canes, pause and smile. Frazzled delivery boys and socialites on stilettos stop in their tracks.

Something about this holiday is compelling. The chance to take on an alter ego, to fantasize, to dress up is liberating. There is something democratic about wearing a disguise. Participants are liberated from everyday constraints. Residents open their doors to all children, welcoming the revelers, offering treats.

A strong sense of community is created by the efforts of individual home owners who show their imagination and generosity by brightening the streets for everyone lucky enough to walk past. What could be more democratic or more fun? Don’t forget to trick and treat!

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