NEW YORK, NY—Morrison Hotel celebrated its 10-year anniversary at the soon to be reopened Cutting Room with a blowout party that also included a silent auction to benefit the Rational Animal and the White Feather foundations. Celebs, photogs and rock and rollers all made the scene milling about at the illustrious new digs on East 32nd street. A guitar chandelier hung over the cavernous bar area that leads into an intimate performance space gives the place a classy yet still downtown feel to it just like the old days.
Julian Lennon, actors Danny Aiello, Dominic Chianese, Gina Gershon, chef Mario Batali, rock photographers Bob Gruen (Lennon/Pistols/Clash), Mick Rock (Barrett/Bowie), Neil Preston (Led Zeppelin), Henry Diltz (Doors/CSN), Danny Clinch (Neil Young/Dylan/Springsteen) and Elliot Landy (Woodstock) all showed up to support the gallery that has added its cultural stamp on the cities art scene.
Tangiers Blues Band, Jonathan Edwards, the Modern Folk Quartet and some special guests rounded out the night’s entertainment. Tangiers Blues Band’s Danny Clinch blew the roof off the house as he wailed on harmonica. The Modern Folk Quartet with Henry Diltz, making their first appearance since 1965, combined gorgeous harmonies and stellar acoustic chops for a fun filled set. Folkie Jonathan Edwards played his big hit “Sunshine (Go Away Today)” and rocked out.
Soprano’s actor Dominic Chianese even sang a few, adding before his turn, “I’m sweating like a hooker in church.” Danny Aiello played homage to the rock of the Bronx. Looking like the don of Arthur Avenue, Aiello and his backup band breathed life into the ‘50s classics that had the crowd singing along.
Don’t forget to stop by the Morrison Gallery the next time you’re in Soho at 124 Prince Street. The next opening will be of Neal Preston, known for his incredible shots of Led Zeppelin on Nov. 11.
