About 100 guests turned out at the fete last night at the hotel on Central Park South to pay the Queen R-E-S-P-E-C-T. The three-hour party kicked off at 8 PM.
The party was full of musical performances fit for a Queen — including the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Band, Dennis Edwards of the Temptations and the Manhattan Transfer.
Among the bold face names: Singer Miki Howard, Civil Rights Activist Jesse Jackson, Congressman Charlie Rangel, MSNBC Anchor Tamron Hall, Music Executive Clive Davis, Comedian Mario Cantone and husband Actor Jerry Dixon, Music Producer Narada Michael Walden, TV One Anchor Roland Martin, Singers Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryxx, among others.
Partygoers drank cocktails and nibbled on lamb chops, sliced ham, lobster, crudité and fresh asparagus as well as slices of the Queen of Soul’s birthday cake.
The Queen made an exit about 11:00 while the party was still going.
After she left, I saw Renee Elise Goldsberry and cast members from the Broadway hit, “Hamilton” arriving. If they wanted to kiss the Queen’s hand, they were a bit too late. Presumably, they were on stage until at least 10:30pm .
Franklin turned 74 on her most recent birthday.
She is scheduled to return to NYC in September for a performance at Radio City Music Hall.
That’s the Lowdown!
The Lowdown with Mikey B 