NYRP’s Hulaween Makes Quite a Splash

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To get to the bottom of the ocean, we had to go up. On the 6th floor of 660 12th Avenue in Manhattan sits The Glasshouse, a striking event space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River. Last Friday, October 23rd, the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) transformed the venue into an underwater escape for its annual Halloween gala. Every year brings a new theme, and this year’s was Hulaween on Horror Reef: Monsters of the Deep. 

After getting off the elevator, we stepped into quite literally a sea of glamorous underwater creatures. Mermaids mingled with sailors. Others arrived with elaborate headpieces and trailing tentacles. An anglerfish with a working lightbulb posed for a picture with an oyster sporting his own pearl. Performers from Brooklyn’s House of Yes towered above the crowd on stilts. Among the guests were Candice Bergen, Chloe Malle, activist Saad Amer, and Project Runway finalist Anna Molinari alongside a crowd of New York’s creative and philanthropic scene. Even dinner stayed on theme, with fish as the main course and gummy sea creatures scattered across the table. 

The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) has been hosting the annual celebration since 1996. Founded by Bette Midler in 1995, the organization was created to restore and maintain the city’s parks and public green spaces. “We believe that access to nature is a fundamental right,” Midler spoke of NYRP’s mission to the room. Since its founding, NYRP has planted more than 200,000 trees and built or renovated over 300 green spaces across the five boroughs. The impact has gone beyond parks and gardens, particularly during the pandemic. “We pulled ourselves together. We got people into the gardens. We gave away many tons of food that we had grown in our gardens. And all in all, we survived,” Midler recalled. This year’s festivities raised more than $2 million, ensuring NYRP can continue making nature more accessible to New Yorkers.

The evening also celebrated the next generation of NYRP’s leadership. “The time has come, however, for a new generation to lead us into the future,” Midler told guests, before quickly reassuring the room, “I’m not going anywhere.” Midler presented the Wind Beneath My Wings Award to her daughter Sophie von Haselberg and son-in-law Harry Guinness. Both serve as trustees of the organization. Sophie, who has been involved with NYRP since childhood while volunteering alongside her mother, spoke on the importance of bringing younger generations into the work. After three decades, her and Harry are helping carry the vision forward. 

Underneath the jellyfish chandeliers, the program was only getting livelier. Actor and comedian, Mario Cantone, emceed the night. Designers Isaac Mizrahi and Rachel Antonoff, had the hardest task of the night, judging the costume contest. Many attendees had spent weeks preparing their costumes, some getting started as soon as the theme was announced. Winners included Allie Provost for Best Individual, Jon Recor and Daniel Stewart for Best Duo, and SoMad for Best Group. Tripp Swanhouse won Best Upcycled Costume, a fitting nod to an organization dedicated to giving New York’s environmental spaces new life.

The competition continued as paddles on the tables awaited each guest for the live auction benefiting NYRP. Opportunities to bid started as low as $250, so nearly everyone could get in on the action. Prizes ranged from a toured bike ride through one of New York City’s parks to a luxury Lake Como vacation. The most coveted prize was lunch with Bette Midler, which raised an impressive $100k. Even Midler appeared stunned as the crowd erupted into applause. Definitely not a meal you can book on Resy. 

The evening’s entertainment continued with Broadway stars Jessica Vosk and Sydney James Harcourt alongside Will Lee and The Root System. Once Cyndi Lauper, dressed as Ursula from The Little Mermaid, hit the stage, each attendee had jumped out of their seat and ran towards the stage. The underwater themed dinner quickly turned into a live concert with attendees singing feet away from Lauper along to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”

Lauper approached Bette Midler’s table singing “Friends.” Midler rose to join her, and soon Mario Cantone and Jessica Vosk were singing alongside them onstage. The crowd joined in too. Decades after their music first filled dance floors, even the youngest guests knew every word. DJ Boyyyish kicked off the after-party as guests grabbed late night snacks on sticks and hit the dance floor.  

The night ended and the colorful fish and seahorses headed back down to 12th avenue. Hulaween had offered a spectacular escape, but NYRP’s mission of creating and protecting nature and green spaces left a lasting impact.