T HAS BEEN a great time for those of us who love music.  The best concert I ever saw at Carnegie Hall was the New York Pops Gala.  In a hall used to classical music, this evening the music was classical everything. 

Liza Minnelli opened the show and proved she's still a musical superstar with an over the top voice and acting skills. Broadway's Jersey Boys stopped the show with their ‘70s magic. Rock star Kid Rock finished the evening belting out two songs that reached the rafters and had the black tie crowd on its feet shouting. 

It was a devotion to Skitch Henderson’s life of music (he died in November), and celebrated 88 Keys, an homage to all pianists.  Hip-Hop Mogul Damon Dash was saluted for his contribution to young American music and his vast entrepreneurial empire.

The ever gracious musical icon, Ahmet Ertegun, was honored for his lifetime achievement in music.  This man discovered Ray Charles and a who's who in music...including Kid, Paolo Nutini (who also performed – watch out for this young Scotsman), Jewel and current No. 1 James Blunt, to name a very few of his artists.  It was black tie, star studded and filled with music, sweetness and laughter.  Just like Skitch's life.

Nile Rodgers and Katie Couric

Elton John

We Are One

Photos by Shahar Azran

N evening of pounding, thumping, exhilarating music came with the We Are Family Foundation gala. Sir Elton John and Quincy Jones (who'd just returned from a humanitarian trip to Africa) were the honorees.

Quincy and Michael Jackson wrote and created We Are the World. Designer Tommy Hilfiger was honored for his commitment to helping others. 

A major part of the evening paid tribute to young Mattie Stepanek, who died so tragically at 13 after a lifetime of illness.  America's young poet and author was a profile of courage and inspiration to all. His dedication to world peace continues to inspire us all.  His mom Jeni carries on the legacy from her wheelchair, suffering from the same disease, Muscular Dystrophy, which killed her daughter and three sons in youth.  We should all say our prayers of thanks to God for giving us such shining inspiration of how a life should be lived! 

Nile Rodgers who wrote We Are Family continues to have enormous musical success, so his set with bandmates Le Chic brought the house down.  When they were joined on stage by Sir Elton for two songs it was a fantabulous evening – one to be cherished for a long time to come.

HAT’S the newest craze!  A new breed of 40-plus highly successful women are now dubbed Cougars. They are fast moving, predatory women who love younger men! 

Ivana famously quoted "I would rather be a babysitter than a nursemaid," and now it's the vogue. 

There are online chat rooms, magazine articles, "How to get a Younger Man," quizzes...it's a new industry. 

Ivana Young Man is a two-hour TV program that chose one lovely young millionairess (who has two youngish children, a lousy ex-husband, bitter divorce), and out of 10,000 male applicants narrowed it down to six.  They were eliminated by Ivana after some fascinating trials.  What's always been good for men - older men/beautiful young women – is now great for women – older women/younger men.  How the world turns.

OYS' TOWN of Italy is a celebration of all things Italian. What's not to celebrate?  Ablaze with flowers and flickering lights, the romantic ballroom was like being in a fragrant, under-the-stars spot in Italy. 

Two of New York's best restaurateurs were honored as men of the year, Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato.  They revolutionized Italian dining 10 years ago, and are now taking their concept to cities around the globe.  Watch for a Serafina in your area. 

Beautiful Robin Domeniconi, recently raised to high levels at global Time Warner, was woman of the year.  Her six-year-old "love of my life," son Luca, had everyone charmed as he danced with Mom in his first tux.   It was clearly a great love affair between mother and son, and a joy for everyone to behold.