The New York Public Library Lured Manhattan’s Culturati to Its Library Lions Gala 

On Monday night, New York’s literati and culturati gathered to celebrate the 2019 honorees at the New York Public Library’s Library Lions gala.

Guests, dressed to the nines in their best eclectic rendition of “black tie,” mingled in the halls of the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman building, sipping Champagne and rubbing elbows with living legends in every corner—Joyce Carol Oates and Diane Sawyer in one, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Senator Chuck Schumer and his wife, Iris Weinshall (NYPL’s COO) in another, and Library Lions cochairs Princess Firyal of Jordan and Lauren Santo Domingo somewhere in between.

Though New Yorkers love any excuse to dress up and enjoy the novelty of the New York Public Library after dark, they were there to celebrate this year’s honorees, including poet Elizabeth Alexander, composer Philip Glass, novelist Jamaica Kincaid, historian Jill Lepore, and filmmaker Frederick Wiseman—a patchwork of artisans and intellectuals whose work is already deeply woven into the fabric of our culture.

At the melodic chime of the dinner bell, guests made their way into the grand hall to find their seats along banquet tables that had been transformed with colorful floral arrangements, hurricane candle holders, antique library lamps, and golden bowls of berries. Echoing the tablescapes were projected floral motifs on the walls of the library and up-lit plants that gave an old room filled with books a vibrant, kinetic, and romantic feel.

Over an appetizer that artfully combined edible flowers and caviar, guests were treated to a zingy swing performance by Wynton Marsalis—who ended up leaving the stage to play among the receptive crowd who couldn’t help but bop in their seats.

Mayor Bill de Blasio was met with applause when he exclaimed that “this library is as great an expression of democracy as any other thing else on earth,” and that “here is a place for everyone.” Cheers continued when he announced that City Hall had invested $33 million to keep the library strong.

After dinner, guests slowly made their way to the lobby to have books signed by the honorees and to enjoy a Wonka-esque dessert bar. Many lingered, taking in every atmospheric inch of the famed institution, which is coming up on its 125th year—and thanks to the promise of continued support from its city and patrons, it’s looking better than ever.