Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project Hosted the 22nd Annual Hulaween Celebration at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in Harlem
October 29, 2018: Bette Midler, the Divine one herself, hosted her annual Hulaween Ball in the majestic Cathedral of St. John the Divine, how witty, in Harlem to raise funds for her New York Restoration Project, which she founded over two decades ago. The NY Restoration Project has been transforming open spaces since 1995 to the benefit of millions of New Yorkers.
The costume ball last night was called Hulaween in the Cosmos, and the spectacular cathedral was transformed for the evening into the cosmos by mastermind Douglas Litte. Wynton Marsalis performed and fashion maven, Michael Kors, judged the popular costume contest. He quipped on the press line, “I like the more outrageous costumes, the more outrageous the better, especially when it’s someone I’ve known for 20 years and I can’t recognize them.”
Bette, the Divine One, began her legendary career in New York City circa 1965 and since then has become world renowned for her film, music and television work. She has won numerous awards in a monumental career that spanned more than 40 years. She recently closed her Tony Award winning run in the Tony Award winning revial of that marvelous Jerry Herman musical Previously to Hello, Dolly!, Midler was seen on Broadway in I’LL EAT YOU LAST in 2015, starring as the legendary Hollywood agent Mengers in her first Broadway appearance in almost 40 years.
The evening honored Mica Ertegün and Darcy Stacom, both of whom exhibit exemplary environmental stewardship and the ability to affect innovative change. Celebrity guests included Jane Krakowski, Marc Jacobs, Debbie Harry, Gavin Creel, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Amy Hargreaves, Dascha Polanco, Frankie Grande, Susanne Bartsch, Jonathan Stewart, Tonne Goodman and more, who showed up in elaborate themed costumes check out the photos below.
Photography: Barry Gordin
