What’s 150 years old and smells like cabbage? That’s right—The Atlantic Monthly, chubby, cuddly cousin to The New Yorker. So there’s a B-day bash tonight, with lots of smarties (Moby, George Stephanopoulos, Andrew Sullivan, Arianna Huffington, P.J. O’Rourke, Christopher Buckley) and a “surprise musical guest”—we’re guessing Suzanne Vega. Take that cocktail party chatter down a notch (or five, please!): It’s time for a fashion crusade—which means AIDS or animals. Tonight, it’s both! First up, a benefit to fight AIDS, honoring Narciso Rodriguez, maker of fabulous perfume and womenswear. Fabiola Beracasa is on the board, hopefully no longer dressed as dead sharkbait snorkeler (Patrick McMullan it!) and guests include future sitcom mom Sara Jessica Parker and sexy thespian Rachel Weisz, as well as Alejandro Santo Domingo, the wealthy Latin fiancé (olé!) of blond socialite Lauren Davis (but of course he is!). Up next, critters: the Cool vs. Cruel Awards, an opportunity for ladies wearing leather to judge those wearing fur. Committee members and judges include “kooky” socialite Arden Wohl (sigh), actor Casey Affleck, social gumdrop Charlotte Ronson, designer Cynthia Rowley, underrated actor Joaquin Phoenix and two of his siblings (Rain? Summer? Liberty?), luscious Liv Tyler, eco-princess Stella McCartney and tight-buttoned Tim Gunn (rat-tat-tat!), who will choose one lucky winner of the “Fur Free Design Competition.” Phew! Don’t expect Lauren Davis and her Vogue cohorts at this one! (“I love animals,” said girlish designer and CFDA darling Erin Fetherston, via e-mail. “They are a constant inspiration to me, not a final product.” Me-OW!) Hungry yet? Meanwhile, the James Beard folks roll a fatty dinner out for your enjoyment, truffles and chefs from Italy (what, not enough lipids here already?). Let’s go to the press release! Lorraine Bracco hosts, and food scribe Bill Buford, actor Stanley Tucci and Four Seasons maitre d’ Julian Nicolini come along for the ride, or at least the free dinner. Meanwhile, auction prizes are enough to make a New York foodie’s head explode: dinner for eight with Gordon Ramsay, dinner for four at Rao’s and a private dinner for 20 by Eric Ripert in Le Bernardin’s private dining room. Burp!
[The Atlantic’s 150th Anniversary, Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place, 7:30 p.m, www.theatlantic.com; Aid for Aids My Hero Gala, Capitale, 7 p.m., 212-337-8043 x327; Cool vs. Cruel Awards Ceremony, 122 West 26th Street, 7 p.m., 212-268-2721; James Beard Foundation’s “Le Città del Tartufo,” Gustavino’s, 409 East 59th Street, 5:30 p.m.]
