Last Night's Parties: Ballet Hispanico Dances Into Spring, Matrix Awards Held At The Waldorf

Katie Couric danced at the Plaza, Betty White videoed it in, Rosie O'Donnell and Arianna Huffington handed out Matrix Awards, Robert Redford screened his new film, Chris Rock gave the NYT's something to struggle with, Courtney Love viewed designer clothes and much more. Find out what happened last night!

BALLET HISPANICO'S SPRING GALA

Where: The Plaza Hotel

Who Was There: Katie Couric, Angela Paolino, Abigail Cedeno, Diarra Harris, Eduardo Vilaro, Kate Lear, Andres Garcia, Astrid Garcia, Andelfo Garcia, Adriana Harper, James Harper, Ann Sarnoff, Dr. Jonathan LaPook, Bill Cunningham

Other Details: Kate Lear was given the award for Civic Inspiration and the Creative Inspiration Award went to Sonia Manzano of “Sesame Street” fame. The evening included a sit down dinner and a performance by the Ballet Hispanico and their students.  The Spanish Harlem Orchestra also played, entertaining the 450 guests and encouraging them to take to the dance floor. Katie Couric was spotted busting a move with Ballet Hispanico artistic director Eduardo Vilaro. [Via]

2011 Matrix Awards

Where: Waldorf Astoria

Who Was There: Arianna Huffington, Rosie O'Donnell, Cindi Berger, Linda Kaplan Thaler, Robin Koval, Mark Burnett, Abbe Raven, Evelyn Lauder, Paula Kerger, Gwen Ifill,  Sheryl Sandberg, Dana Tyler, Idina Menzel

Other Details: The Matrix Awards honor "extraordinary achievements of outstanding women in the communications industry." Sheryl Sandberg, Cindi Berger, Gwen Ifill, Robin Koval, Idina Menzel, and Abbe Raven were honored onstage at the Matrix event, which included a live video appearance by Betty White, who received a lifetime achievement award, and a surprise performance by John Legend. Arianna Huffington was on hand to present an award and is probably feeling a bit of the sting of irony as news breaks today that a group of volunteer bloggers has filed a class-action suit against her for not compensating them for content. [Via]

PIAGET and THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Host the NY Premiere & After Party of THE CONSPIRATOR [More photos HERE]

Where: MoMa, Royalton

Who Was There: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Alexis Bledel, Kevin Kline Tom Wilkinson, Robert Redford, Marina Abramovic, Bob Balaban, Chris Benz, Candice Bergen, Derek Blasberg, Phoebe Cates, Kenneth Cole, Mario Cuomo, Billie Jean King, Al Roker & Deborah Roberts, Kelly Rutherford, Julian Schnabel & Rula Jebreal, Stella Schnabel, Matthew Settle, Irina Shayk, Anna Sui

Other Details: The celebs came out last night in honor of Robert Redford's new film staring James McAvoy and the ageless Robin Wright.  It focuses on the untold, true story of Mary Surratt, who was hanged for allegedly being part of the conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. It's interesting, but long and drags at parts since the script focuses heavily on the courtroom trial. After the film, guests head over the the Royalton Hotel. James was given congrats by tons of fans and Robin hung out near a banquette drinking champagne with Evan Rachel Wood. Redford himself showed up late to the event and made his rounds. Take a look at more photos HERE.

OPENING NIGHT & CELEBRATION FOR THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT AFTER PARTY

Where: Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 230 Fifth Avenue

Who Was There: Lucy Liu, Isabella Rossellini, Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Rudd, Lily Rabe, Tate Donovan, Ricky Gervais, Jane Fallon, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock

Other Details: Stephen Adly Guirgis new play starring Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Annabella Sciorra and Yul Vázquez, opened last night. It's got love and soberness and drunkenness and a hat. But most of all it has Chris Rock, which convince you to go see this. The NYT gives it a rave, though is apparently not allowed to publish the swear word in the title, giving the article a great Mad Libs quality. As evidenced by our earlier post titled "Steve Aoki Gives Champagne Showers From A Mother F%$king Boat" GofG does not suffer from the same problem. [Via]

4th Annual "Night of Opportunity" benefiting The Opportunity Network [More photos HERE]

Where: Capitale

Who Was There: Tommy Hilfiger, Ginny Hilfiger, Vernon Jordan, Alan Patricof, Ambassador Lyndon L. Olson Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Ainsley Earhardt, Gigi Stone, Ben Silverman, Charles Warfield, Jack Sullivan, Anisha Lakhani, Jon Patricof, Beata Bohman, Bill Cunningham

Other Details: Guests dressed for an evening to remember for the Night of Opportunity benefit dinner at Capitale. The event benefited The Opportunity Network and featured Tommy Hilfiger as the keynote speaker along with his wife Dee Hilfiger. Get more details HERE and look at more pictures HERE.

Marchesa at The Apthorp

Where: The Apthorp

Who Was There: Georgina Chapman, Courtney Love, Keren Craig, Olivia Munn, Ann Dexter Jones, Arden Wohl, Brooke Geahan

Other Details: Looks like Cortney Love needs a new wardrobe after selling her things off on eBay. She stopped by the Apthorp last night to check out Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig's wares.

Reception and Private Viewing of RUSSIAN ART

Where: Christie's

Who Was There: Stephen Robson, Hugh Dale, Ksenia Apukhtnia, Alexis de Tisenhausen, Izabela Grocholski, Anthony Haden Guest, Alex Shetrinsky, William Luers, Alexander Barylski

Other Details:Russian art is hot right now. Sotheby's just held a sale and last night Christie's jumped in the fray with an estimate of sales in excess of $5m. There are  paintings, silver pieces marked with the imperial warrant and a large selection of Fabergé objects, from sapphire-and-diamond cufflinks to gold-and-enamel cigarette cases.