I’m not gonna make ya’ll wait this year for a bunch of details. By now, you all know that Bette came as a “Bloomin’ Rose.” By the time we reached our tables NYRP had already made 2 million dollars…I think that was a record high for them.
When the 5 auctions/lots were over…Martin Short, as Jiminy Glick, had raised over 200, ooo.oo more! (correct me if I’m wrong, someone, anyone!) He and Marc Shaiman’s little musical act was absolutley hysterical and if I had half a memory left I’d tell you all the jokes. Maybe when I write up my special Hulaween page some of it will come back to me.
Other highlights:
NYRP, in honor of Bette’s 60th birthday, unveiled a new oasis, “Bette’s Rose Garden” on behalf of her tireless efforts to clean up and restore communities in NYC. This was the biggie for Bette….really, really meant a lot, to put it simply.
Marc Shaiman’s rewrite of “Wind Beneath My Wings” which he sang to Bette after she presented the WBMW’s award to Sting and Trudy Styler. It was both witty and poignant….believe me Bette was in tears and so was the audience by the end:
“BETTE 60TH @ HULAWEEN”
IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE BETTE MIDLER’S 60
WHEN THERE’S HARDLY A LINE UPON YOUR FACE
I WAS A CHILD WHEN YOU FOUND FAME
(SO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW”¦)
I’M FAT AND OLD, YET YOU’RE THE SAMEWE KNOW HOW YOU FIGHT TO MAKE THINGS BETTER
BUT DOES ANYONE EVER WIPE YOUR BROW?
AND OFFER A HUG, PERHAPS A KISS?
(I HOPE THEY DO)
AND I HOPE YOU NEVER FORGET THIS”¦THAT EVERYONE HERE THINKS YOU’RE A HERO
YOU’RE JUST WHAT OUR PRESIDENT SHOULD BE
YOU MAKE US FLY HIGH AMONGST THE EAGLES
CAUSE YOU ARE THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGSGOD BLESS YOU
FOR YOU ARE THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS
I believe this was the first time Bette did not sing the song to the recipients of the award. However, Sting and Trudy wrote a very witty poem concerning The Divine Miss M….which she promptly said that she was going to auction off on EBAY! LOL
Elton Johns mini-concert – piano only and who needed more! (the order of the songs may not be precisely right and if I missed any please write me and tell me!)
1.) Tiny Dancer
2.) Mona Lisa’s And Mad Hatter’s
3.) Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
4.) And I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
5.) Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (people raised their candles in the air)
6.) The Border Song
7.) Philadelphia Freedom
8.) Take Me To The Pilot
Bette came out and sang “Your Song” with Elton while Marc Shaiman accompanied them. This brought the house down and it was a fabulous good night.
I have to say this was THE most extravagant and over the top Hulaween I have ever attended…it was like something out of the dang movies (that’s for you Richard if you’re reading!). I hope to have some pics to share with all of you. I’ll have a few up tonight, but they’ll probably be slowly coming in….
Love, Mister D
PS: Remember Charity Buzz Auctions are still going on til November 8th…so keep bidding!!!!
