All Jazzed Up!

Representing several of America's finest cities for jazz (New Orleans, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Kansas City and of course, NYC), the Taste of Jazz event held last night at the Time Warner Center brought out revelers who clearly appreciate a little bit of brass in their music and a bit of kick in their cuisine. Participating chefs Marc Murphy (Landmarc); Missy Robbins (A Voce Columbus); Michael Lomonaco (Porter House); and Masa Takayama (Masa) each created a signature dish to channel the ethos of one of the aforementioned jazz towns. And if Bouchon Bakery's peach cobbler baked with a brown-sugar-and-graham-cracker crust wasn't enough to make you wail, the saxophone sounds of Walter Blanding and his septet took care of that.

The event, the Time Warner Center's first-annual, was held in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Day. Indeed, this is Jazz Appreciation Month, so if you haven't already, break out your Lionel Hampton records (yes, records!) and crank the turntable volume as high as it will go.

For pics from the party, click here.

Lady of the Dance

Judith Jamison, longtime artistic director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, accepted the accolades of the fine arts community at a ceremony tonight at the Joan Weill Center for Dance, on West 55th Street. Presented by Montblanc, the honor included a check for $20,000 (which she turned around and gave right back to the theater she directs) and a one-of-a-kind Montblanc pen.

Among the notable attendees who were there to wish Jamison well included Chinese pianist Lang Lang and So You Think You Can Dance's Nigel Lythgoe. 

The Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award, which is given to luminaries in the arts, is presented annually. Past winners have included Susan Sarandon and Wynton Marsalis.

For more pics, click here.

The Wearing of the Green

It might be St. Patrick's eve, but the celebration for the new book Black is the New Green had little to do with Ireland and everything to do with the purchasing power of what are called AAAs--Affluent African Americans. Written by Uptown magazine publisher Len Burnett and by Andrea Hoffman (left), founder of a market research firm called Diversity Affluence, the tome talks about the buying habits of wealthy people of color in the United States, a group whose purchasing power is expected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2012.

There was certainly affluence on show during the book launch this evening, which was held at the North Cabana of the Maritime Hotel, in Chelsea. Sponsored by Belvedere Vodka, the soirée amply demonstrated that the Irish aren't the only ones who know how to have fun with a little green. For a look at the book, check it out here. For more party pics, click here.

A Worthy Purchase

Susie Essman was the emcee at the Nelson A. Rockefeller awards ceremony last night, an event orchestrated by SUNY Purchase and benefitting the school's arts programs. Among the honorees at the evening's event were choreographer Paul Taylor, artist Kiki Smith, jazzman Paquito D'Rivera, playwright Lynn Nottage and philanthropists Donald and Jane Cecil. During her remarks, the normally salty Essman kept things clean, as university president Thomas Schwarz looked on, later recommending the comedienne's book, What Would Susie Say? to everyone in the audience--provided they were over the age of 21.

The medals presentation was interspersed by performances by students from the college's arts program, vignettes lifted from the oevre of the honorees' work. The entertainment included Taylor's Company B and a scene from Nottage's Intimate Apparel.

For more party pics, click here.

It Takes a Village

Twenty-five chefs from restaurants around Greenwich Village and scattered locations around the city pulled out all of the stops last night at a benefit for Greenwich House. The event, held at the Altman Building, on West 18th Street, brought together eateries including Commerce, The Little Owl, Perilla, Market Table and Braeburn.

Greenwich House, which raised more than $100,000 at last year's benefit, works to assist individuals who require assistance in the areas of health care, education and other social services. The organization, founded in 1902, also kicked off a silent auction, with items remaining available for bid online here, until March 18. Among the treasures to be bid upon include tickets to see the Knicks play the Miami Heat and a yoga session and lunch with Russell Simmons. For more party pics, click here.

Bebe Pulls Out the Big Guns: Part II

If you've been dreaming of dressing like a Kardashian, you now have your chance. The reality show siblings featured their new Kardashian Collection to the press and trade this morning, at Stage 37, on West 37th Street.

Shown on the Style 360 Stage (which has been organizing similar events all week, coordinated by Hachette Filipacchi), the Kardashian looks included one worn by Kim herself, as she appeared with her face and hair partially covered under a gray hoodie that was also a dress, accessorized with short leather gloves.
 
Each sister brings something different to the table: Kim's looks are classic and sexy, Kourtney's are bohemian baggy and Khloe's are more edgy.

Singer-songwriter Adrienne Bailon, Jenni "JWOWW" Farley, of MTV's Jersey Shore and Caroline and Dina Manzo, of Real Housewives of New Jersey, were among the celebrities who turned out to show their support.  Available in Bebe stores nationwide and on-line, the collection can be seen here.

Photo and reporting by Katherine Martinez.

Bebe Pulls Out the Big Guns

Last night, Bebe's SoHo store was alive with excitement. Press lined up outside to view the Kardashian Collection, designs created by socialite sisters Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian-Odom.

As they shopped, guests enjoyed bubbling Champagne and canapés while mingling to the energetic beat of DJ Little Boots. The launch party was sponsored in cooperation with Style 360 and Elle Magazine. Eileen Rivkin, Elle's sales director, remarked on the surge of interest in the line, which is not surprising, given the clothing's chic, feminine appeal. The contoured one-shoulder tops, shimmering clingy goddess wrap dress, and belted- and mesh-bodice designs offer a peek-a-boo look that is truly captivating. Fresh energy was the essence of the evening.

Designs in a mix of black, white, hot-pink, and fatigue green colors are available for women of every shape and size. The collection is exclusive to Bebe and is now available for purchase in stores nationwide. Reported by Katherine Martinez

Ladies in Red

 Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, Estelle, Bethenny Frankel (left), Raven Symone, Kristin Chenoweth, Jordin Sparks, Felicity Huffman and Kimora Lee were among the stars who donned red gowns in and sashayed down (what else?) a red carpet in support of the Heart Truth campaign, which is an organization devoted to raising awareness of heart disease as the leading cause of death for women.

The celebrity models certainly had plenty of heart, and all looked stunning in their shimmery red dresses, by designers from Marchesa to Oscar de la Renta. With few exceptions, these women are curvy--and proud of it. Not least of them, New York's pregnant "Real Housewife"! No word on whether Bethenny talked baby tips with "Desperate Housewife" Felicity Huffman, whose television character is also expecting a baby any week now.

Was it Leia Who Convinced Him?

We asked hip-hop star Snoop Dogg what his favorite Star Wars film was this afternoon and without hesitating, he answered "Return of the Jedi"!

The performer was in town helping to promote the launch of the new Luke Skywalker and Yoda sneakers, part of a Star Wars line from Adidas. To add further hype to the event (and certainly much to the chagrin of the Rebel Alliance), the footwear company also brought a squadron of Stormtroopers to overtake Times Square and SoHo.

Check back with New York Insider next week for our special coverage of the Force-filled day.

Rock On!

Susan Cohn Rockefeller, wife of David Rockefeller, Jr., unveiled her Rocknrola collection of jewelry at Deborah Buck's Buck House Gallery last night, proceeds of which will benefit the charity Oceana. The health of the world's seas is a cause near and dear to Rockefeller, who is also one of the producers behind the documentary "A Sea Change: Imagine A World Without Fish." The packed reception brought out a wide swath of the city's social set as well as actor Sam Waterson, one of the charity's most involved spokespeople.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, the Rocknrola line is ideal for showing that special someone your love. (Not to mention showing your love of the environment.)

For party pics, click here. Photos courtesy of Oceana, and ©Jon Dee/Oceana. To check out the jewelry, click here.