Arianna Huffington (Getty Images)

If you’re anything like us, Twitter made your Election Night both unusually fact-packed—hey, someone had to tell us about Heidi Heitkamp’s win while Diane Sawyer sang old Irish drinking songs on TV—and almost completely insufferable. That manically partisan stream of mots both bon and mal comes in for examination tonight, as The New Republic’s new editor in chief and publisher Chris Hughes leads a discussion with Huffington Post editor in chief and mascot Arianna Huffington and entrepreneur and Bond villain Peter Thiel. The stated topic: “Has Twitter Made Democracy Impossible?” The joke will be on all of us in 2044 when we’re casting our votes simply by tweeting “@jennabush” or “@maliaobama.”

Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, Samuel B. and David Rose Building, 165 West 65th Street, open to New Republic subscribers, information can be found at http://tinyurl.com/8dayNov15.

Molly Ringwald (Getty Images)

Molly Ringwald isn’t just the sweetie who starred in three John Hughes classics (as well as a Godard film!). She’s also a well-regarded writer who recently published a book of short stories. (Your move, Jennifer Egan—we suggest looking for a role in the next Selena Gomez teen flick.) Tonight, Ms. Ringwald joins Brooklyn icon Jonathan Ames on a rare sortie into Manhattan for an evening of tales about coming home hosted by storytelling outlet The Moth. Also in attendance will be NASA astronaut Michael J. Massimino, who, after Ms. Ringwald’s journey from pretty in pink to respected in print, has made the second-biggest voyage of any speaker tonight.

The Great Hall at Cooper Union, 7 East Seventh Street, 7:30pm, tickets and information can be found at themoth.org.

Carolina Herrera

Fashion Weeks come and Fashion Weeks go—couture designers are supposed to be in Paris right now!—but Carolina Herrera has a good reason to stick around: she’s picking up an award in her honor. The indefatigable Ms. Herrera, who was given a “Style Award” by Katie Holmes at New York Fashion Week earlier this month, accepts the “Iconic Woman of Style Award” at the Icons of Style Gala, thrown by Spanish-language fashion book Vanidades. She’s joined at the event by the likes of polo star and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras, socialite Yaz Hernandez and Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez.

Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle, 7:30pm, for tickets and information call (305) 871-6400.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Those who didn’t get their fill of world leaders over the weekend at the Social Good Summit—and who could ever get enough, truly?—can drop in on the Africa-America Institute’s presentation of awards to Africa’s two female heads of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia (with an award pertinent to her promotion of literacy) and Joyce Banda of Malawi (she’s winning for her support of women’s rights). Belgian diamond merchant Maurice Tempelsman is to be honored by the Institute, as well, with a trophy acknowledging his years as a trustee. Hey, as a manner of seeing heads of state this week, this sure beats hanging out with a pair of binoculars in Turtle Bay waiting for the General Assembly to let out.

Grand Hyatt New York, 109 East 42nd Street, reception at 6pm, dinner and awards at 7pm, tickets and information can be found at benefitoffice.org/aai.

Congregation Emanu-El

It’s Yom Kippur—take the opportunity to spend time with family pondering past wrongs and starting the year 5773 on the right foot. As The Observer has reported, the city’s top power shuls include the Modern Orthodox Fifth Avenue Synagogue (home to Lenny Kravitz and Ronald Perelman), the Conservative Park Avenue Synagogue (see you there, Ralph Lauren!), and the unaffiliated B’nai Jeshrun (we’ll be wedged between Lloyd Blankfein and Tony Kushner). For tumbleweeds unable to admit to themselves that Labor Day has come and gone, the Conservative Synagogue of the Hamptons in Sag Harbor will open its arms.

Paul Rudd

Tonight, we’re dropping in on a preview of the latest big-star-on-Broadway show, to see the acting-for-screen tics that’ll get ironed out by opening. The ubiquitous Paul Rudd (last season of Parks and Recreation, this winter’s new Judd Apatow flick, This Is 40, along with every other Apatow comedy, and Julia Roberts’ Broadway play, back when he was just a mini-star) stars in Grace alongside Michael Shannon, Kate Arrington, and Ed Asner. Mr. Rudd plays one half of a couple that moves to Florida to pursue their dream of opening a chain of religiously themed motels (guess they have, like, multiple Gideon Bibles?).

Grace is in previews at the Cort Theatre, 138 West 48th Street, 8pm, tickets and information can be found at graceonbroadway.com.

Valentino

Another New York cultural institution begins its season tonight: the New York City Ballet’s Fall Gala honors the designer Valentino Garavani (we don’t hear that surname often!). The designer has crafted costumes for three ballet performances tonight, including one world premiere. Turning up to support the ballet, Valentino, or simply their own right to have a good time are event co-chair Sarah Jessica Parker, Barry and Diane (once again!), Carolina Herrera, and Linda Evangelista. Perhaps the most unexpected guest? Andy Cohen, who’s supposed to be hosting his live Bravo talk show at eleven sharp—hurry home to the studio, Andy, before your limo turns back into a pumpkin!

Lincoln Center, cocktails at 5:30pm, performance at 7pm, supper ball at 9pm, tickets and information can be found at nycballet.com.

Penny Marshall

It’s a Big night! That is, Penny Marshall, the director of Big (as well as A League of Their Own and, somehow, the Oliver Sacks adaptation Awakenings) is throwing herself a book party. The onetime Laverne is to fête her memoir, My Mother Was Nuts, on the Upper East Side, with well-heeled attendees who must really love their Nick at Nite: Barry and Diane! David Geffen! Ron Perelman! Fun fact gleaned from the Internet: one of Ms. Marshall’s first gigs was as the “before” to Farrah Fawcett’s “after” in a shampoo commercial. Ask her all about that tonight, once the subject of her mother is exhausted!

Upper East Side, invitation only.

Fashion’s Night Out, across the city, information and schedule can be found at fashionsnightout.com; Dwyane Wade interview with Rick Stengel, Midtown, invitation only.

Couture Council Luncheon, David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, 11:30am reception, noon luncheon, event is sold out; Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala, Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place, cocktail reception 6pm, gala 7:30pm, after-party 9pm, tickets and information can be found at bit.ly/BrightLightsShiningStars.