Ro Gets a Shout-out

Anne Hathaway received a Critics' Choice Award for her role in Rachel Getting Married, in which she played a recovering addict responsible for her younger brother's death. Rosemarie Dewitt, a friend of mine, co-starred in the film as Rachel (Anne Hathaway's on-screen sister). While accepting her award, Anne Hathaway gave a special mention to Rosemarie (a.k.a. Ro).

I first met Ro at the Blue Moon, a gay bar and restaurant, in Rehoboth Beach Delaware about seventeen years ago. I was with one of my best friends, David, and we were feeling rather festive that evening when we noticed two cute girls across the room. He suggested we go over to introduce ourselves to the "cute lesbians". So we did. We had a lot of fun speaking with them and kept in touch throughout the years. David, true to his personality, did the better job of keeping in touch and speaks with them more than I but none-the-less, I'm very proud of the work Ro has done. Even more importantly, Ro is a good egg. Oh and by the way, neither Ro nor her friend are gay. They just happened to wander into the Blue Moon that night because of the overly-exuberant crowd.

Before Ro made it in Hollywood she waited tables at various restaurants in Rehoboth Beach during her summer vacations while at college. She also worked as a bartender at Boxers, a West Village bar and grill, in New York City. When I lived in the Village many years ago, we would go in regularly to visit with her. She always took very good care of us.


Ro with Anne Hathaway

Ro's other roles include: Charmaine, in United States of Tara, a series currently on Showtime starring Toni Collette; Midge, in Mad Men; Emily Lehman, in Standoff; Sara Wilson, in Cinderella Man (a true story about Ro's grandfather, Jimmy Braddock, the fighter) starring Russell Crowe; and Fern, in Sex and the City.

Deborah Harry Performed for Private Louis Vuitton Event

Photo Courtesy of Bill

Last night Louis Vuitton hosted three "by invitation only" parties to celebrate the launch of their new, limited edition, Stephen Sprouse designed Monogram Rose and Monogram Graffiti handbags. Originally designed in 2001 through a collaboration between Marc Jacobs and Stephen Sprouse, the handbags feature two designs that had never been released until now. Deitch Gallery held a Sprouse retrospective coinciding with the Louis Vuitton event. The luxury retailer's SOHO store, located in Manhattan, will exclusively carry the handbags for the first month. Other worldwide Louis Vuitton locations will then also carry the merchandise.


Photo Courtesy of Bill

Bowery Ballroom, an intimate venue on New York City's east side, was selected for the after-party. The stage was centered in a room decked out in specially designed neon. Deborah Harry, of Blondie fame, performed five of her classic hits. As I listened to the concert via Bill's cell phone, she was still on top of her game. Although the sound faded in and out, it was almost as if I was right there -- not. I am bummed because I had high hopes of crashing the party courtesy of Bill. Unfortunately I never worked it out, instead I stayed behind in Miami.

Bill, on the other hand, was chosen to work the VIP lounge escorting celebrities and rubbing shoulders. Some famous faces included Marc Jacobs, Tatum O'neal, Brook Shields, Patricia Field, Russell Simmons, Benicio Del Turo, Molly Simms, and Donna Karan as well as many super-models.