THERE WAS A GREAT BIG FAB GALA HELD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THIS PAST WEEK. Celebrities galore were pouring into The Metropolitan Museum of Art for the annual Costume Institute Ball, known far and wide as "The Party of the Year".
Being famous predominates. Even a celebrity created in the last 15 minutes can make a name for themselves here. But the overwhelming kiss, kiss greeters are major celebs, jet setting for a night with the stars hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour (Vogue). Hello, gorgeous..hi, moneybags!! No, darling, we're not here to be seen..it's all for charity.
There was a time, a few years back, when I would show up at the Ball, and have a very sociable time. Way before celebrities thought it was important to be seen at a museum. Even before old money started going out, instead of leaving a masterpiece or two for posterity. Before the elite sashayed up the red carpet, paparazzi popping, I skipped up the concrete stairs, a plebeian princess at the ball.
Now how did I manage this glamorous life? I'm a little girl from The Bronx, and I first went to the Museum with my class when I was about 11 years old. I fell for the Egyptian Wing, and the Costume Institute. As I grew up, I became a Museum junky and made a vow to myself and any angels listening, that someday I'd live as close to The Met as I could get.
I think that maybe one thing that we wish for is given to us. I was given proximity to The Met. I never again asked for anything else. I'm still here, tucked away in a very middle class existence, in the midst of astonishing fortune. Of course I've maintained my membership in the Museum to this day. Ages ago they sent invitations to members to attend the Costume Institute Ball, amazingly for $200. a ticket. Not yet the "party of the year". I went once with my ex, me all dolled up in a slinky black gown. I went another time, no more ex, with one of my girl friends. Again, in another slinky black gown. Still have them. You never know when the middle class will be back in style.
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28 comments:
Written with such heartfelt emotion .... I loved this.
I remember the neighborhood around the museum...lovely. All things change but visiting this museum regularly is the real gift!
Hi Helen-
Thank you..I still get excited when I see all the things going on there..
Hi Mary Ann-
Thanks..yes, I'm lucky all around!
Museums are so beautiful...next time you go (and you will I am sure) wear red! :0)
Hi Little Messy...
Will be going very soon to the Picasso exhibit..and red?..hmmm..
I recently had the pleasure of spending a few hours in the MET- so wonderful! The ancient Egyptian exhibits are my favorites too. Here in Boston we have a jewel of a museum that we call the MFA. No better way to spend the day.
The celebs. won't stick with it for more than one more gala. They are so fickle!
I'm glad you got to go!!
Hi DeeDee-
How great that you visited the Met..maybe we passed each other in the Egyptian wing!
Ages ago I visited the Gardner in Boston..very nice..
Hi Everyday Goddess-
The celebs go for the publicity..the gala's probably the only time they show up at a museum!
I'm glad I got to go in the good old days..a ticket's a few thousand bucks nowadays..
what an unbelievable joy, to feel as if you belong to the place! i love being part of the workings that have been wrought by hundreds of year, though i've never known anything as marvelous as the met sounds!
Hmmm, I wonder who I'd be if I'd grown up with the big city lights? I've always longed for it but have forever lived in the leafy, Eastern suburbs and now the 'sticks', the Aussie bush. It's all over, chances gone but, what a way to go; peace is magic!
Still, I envy you living in the exciting midst of NYC!!! It would be great but only for a while, knowing what I know....
Lyn, I'm glad you're happy there.
Hi sheri-
Thank you..Well, the big advantage is being able to visit museums frequently..as they say, location, location!!
Hi Alaine-
It's interesting to think about alternate paths, if only... I've lived in leafy vistas..love it all.
And we can always visit! Thank you...
Can't imagine you ever being out of style, Lyn!!
It is a pity that it is not a function that you would enjoy attending anymore. Those red shoes with a black dress would have been great.Oprah might have wanted to buy them from you.
It is important to like where you live.
Hi Derrick-
Well, thank you so much..little black dress, always in style..the problem is my money (lack) is out of style!!
But I can go to the museum on non-party days!!
Hi Rallentanda-
Thank you..I would still enjoy mingling with the hoi-poloi, but could only be a fly on the wall now!!
It is interesting to live where everything can and does happen..
I love to see the celeb pics online from the big event. I am so envious.
Hi Willow-
I too saw the pics of the red carpet celebs...quite a show! That's why I wrote this post..
Me again!
You might like to see the challenge I've set for you, Lyn. No pressure!
Hi Derrick-
I guess I didn't realize that I was being challenged...I will find the time..I'm sort of giggling a bit already, which could change..oh, yes, THANKS!!
Hahaha! What a fab post. The middle class will never be out of fashion. We all want to belong to it. ;-)
Greetings from London.
Greetings to a Cuban-
You're very kind..the museum does have freebies..Fri nites, tables set up on the 2nd fl.balcony, candles, drinks, and a quartet!! No celebs..
That´s so exciting! I´ve only been once to the Met, last year, and I can´t wait to go back - hopefully later this year.
Hi evalinn-
Do try to get back..especially for the Picasso exhibit..
Hi Jingle-
Thank you for all the info...my, but you sure are busy..good for you!
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