Last Night's Parties: A Black Ball And A Masked Ball

Well, it's nice to know the concept of a grand ball isn't obsolete! There were two big ones last night, and they were both doozies....-

Keep A Child Alive's Black Ball

Where: Hammerstein Ballroom

Who Was There: Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Deepak Chopra, Clive Davis, Patrick Wilson, Roberta Armani, Sade, Swizz Beatz, Uma Thurman, Whitney Houston, Usher

Other Details: A very pregnant Alicia Keys was there, performing "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" with Sade, also a super skinny looking Jennifer Hudson. Janelle Monae performed and got standing ovations. Alicia also sang Sinatra with Jay-Z. It definitely got rowdy as the night wore on, with people dancing on tables.

Go HERE for more photos, and read more here.

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"Killing Time" Book Launch and Panel Discussion

Where: The Lambs Club

Who Was There: Moby, Salman Rushdie, John Thompson, Michael Gladis from Mad Men, sans beard, David Rabin, Lewis Lapham

Other Details: John Thompson was there to speak movingly about his fight for exoneration and his escape from Death Row. NOT in attendance? Harry Connick Jr. His dad, attorney Harry Connick, Sr, is still disputing with Thompson today.

Orlane and Afghan Hands Fundraiser

Where: Longchamp Soho

Who Was There: Claire Danes, Cynthia Nixon, Jessica Seinfeld, Ryan McGinness

Other Details: Claire Danes and Cynthia Nixon both spoke about the charity, Afghan Hands, before the auction.

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And in Paris....

French Vogue's 90th Anniversary Party

Where: Hotel Pozzo Di Borgo

Who Was There: Gisele Bundchen, Natalia Vodianova, Karolina Kurkova, Dita von Teese, Carine Roitfeld, Lara Stone, Tyra Banks, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann, Francisco Costa, Bianca Brandolini, Jade Jagger, Leigh Lezark, Margherita Missoni, Marc Jacobs, Lily Donaldson, Kate Lanphear, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Lapo Elkann, Charlotte Casiraghi

Other Details: It was a masked ball inspired by Eyes Wide Shut, which people interpreted in a variety of ways (some went with full on face masks, Tyra Banks wore a fishnet mask). Over all, it was Carine Roitfeld's big night, and she showed up in her trademark leotard-esque outfit. Anna Wintour did not attend, which is just as well: we can't really imagine her in anything reminiscent of Eyes Wide Shut, and are not sure we'd want to...

Go Here for our complete coverage

[Keep A Child Alive photo via Twitter, Killing Time photo via Refinery29, Claire Danes via,Vogue photo via Vogue Uk]