Country Comes to Cipriani

Cipriani 42 was bursting with color (and country music) last night for the 22nd annual "Spring Ahead" gala, a fund-raiser for the Jeffrey Modell Foundation. City slickers cast aside their affinity for black cocktail dresses and conservative suits and instead donned cowboy hats and brightly hued accessories, taking to the dance floor of the great hall, which was jam-packed with helium balloons and candy-laden table centerpieces. The Foundation, established by Vicki and Fred Modell in honor of their son, who died of primary immunodeficiency causes at the age of 15, used last night's fete to honor Jeff Blau, president of the Related Companies. In all, $2 million was raised to support the Modell Foundation. And more than a few Manhattanites even learned how to square dance.