Last Night's Parties: Socialites Don Their Ball Gowns, Snooki Hits Da Club With Mystery Man

Bowties and ball gowns were brought out for a Winter Ball, Meryl Streep joined Lisa Kudrow to celebrate Vassar, Tinlsey Mortimer had a party and Dean Winters dealt with a room full of people looking at him and thinking, "Is that the guy from those insurance commercials?" Let's see what else happened last night!

Grand Opening of TEQA

Where: Teqa

Who Was There: Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Derek Axelrod, Dean Winters, Kelly Bensimon, Micah Jesse, Tinsley Mortimer, Jennifer Williams, Jordan Johnson

Other Details: Derek Jeter’s personal chef, Lisa Schoen (also a former executive chef at Saturday Night Live and a Chopped contestant), opened this new taqueria last night. It's located in Murray Hill, which may determine the crowd and seal its fate. Last night it drew a poof-less Snooki and a new mystery man. They got cozy, but were generally behaved much to the disappointment of Jersey Shore fans everywhere. The place was packed so drinks were served slow and guests ordered fries and bar snacks while peering at Dean WInters and saying, ""I'm a teenage girl. Now, I'm emotionally compromised." [Via]

UPDATE: We just got word! The mystery man is actually Derek Axelrod, the owner of Teqa.

MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK DIRECTORÕS COUNCIL WINTER BALL

Where: The Plaza

Who Was There: Andrew Roosevelt, Burwell Schorr, Allison Rockefeller, Celerie Kemble, Shafi Roepers, Mark Gilbertson Calvert Moore, Coralie Charriol Paul, Lauren Remington Platt, Ashley Wilcox Platt, Julia Koch, Lynn Wyatt, Peter Davis

Other Details: The Winter Ball has been going on for over 20 years and is a highlight of the New York social calendar. Guests enjoy cocktails, dinner, and dancing. As is the case with these types of shmancy events, there was plenty of stressing over outfits. @jww debated over "Bowtie or long tie with the tuxedo?" while @_FromMeToYou dealt with formal wear. "I have stuffed my big puffy skirt into a cab... Heading to the Winter Ball!"

Vassar College's 150th Anniversary Celebration

Where: Jazz at Lincoln Center

Who Was There: Meryl Streep, Lisa Kudrow, Frances Sternhagen, April Thompson, Lorenzo Pisoni

Other Details: Streep, class of 69, and Kudrow, class of '85, performed during the college's sesquicentennial. Meryl told the crowd, "Vassar is where my brain woke up.” [Via]

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Tinsley Mortimer Hosts The Chelsea Room

Where: Chelsea Room

Who Was There: Tinsley Mortimer, Alexa Winner, Charles Ferri, A J Fusco, Anna Rothschild, Christian Jones, Brian Mazza, Jeff Krauss

Other Details: OMG! @tinsleymortimer Tweeted prior to hosting the evening, "If anyone is trying to reach me my phone is totally broken :( :( xoxo" Things seemed to have worked out anyway.

Preview Reception of WAGNER EXHIBIT by ELIZABETH PEYTON

Where: Gallery Met, Metropolitan Opera House

Who Was There: Chuck Close, Elizabeth Peyton, Alex Katz, Stephanie LaCava, Gavin Brown, Lisa Phillips, Adam Weinberg

Other Details: Elizabeth Peyton's "Wagner," an exhibition of works based on the characters in "Der Ring des Nibelungen," held its preview party last night drawing big names in the art world. [Via]

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2011 Harboring Hearts Housing Fundraiser [More photos HERE]

Where: Rubin Museum of Art

Who Was There: Yuki Kotani, Michelle Park, Emma Snowden-Jones, Amy Stiller, Jonathan Valdez, Michelle Javian

Other Details: Guests enjoyed open bar, Honi Cookies, Stogo Ice Cream, and Tu'Lu's bakery as The NY Pops performed.  DJ Harley Viera Newton, of Jay Z's Roc Label, and electric violinist Sarah Charness of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra were also on hand to get people dancing. Don't forget to look at the photos HERE. People is gettin down!

Harley Davidson Presents: Band Of Brothers

Where: 40 / 40 Club

Who Was There: DJ Clue, Grandmaster Flash, Zev Norotsky, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Special K and Teddy Ted

Other Details: There was a special exhibit commemorating the achievements of African American bikers and Grandmaster Flash performed. @JapaneseDee Tweeted: "Harley Davidson event at 40/40! Packed! Grandmaster Flash is goin in #StraightOldschoo!"

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MORGAN LEHMAN Gallery celebrates the opening of JAQ CHARTIER & ADAM CHAPMAN

Where: Morgan Lehman Gallery

Who Was There: Jaq Chartier, Adam Chapman, Ariana Brussels, Phillip Baldwin, Craig Hensala, Rob Guthrie, Betty Dean, Jerry Saltz

Other Details: Wine was served as guest took a look at Jaq Chartier's "Slow Color," and Adam Chapman's  "THE STUDY Project Space."

LIMOLAND / KAGENO Cocktail Reception

Where: LimoLand

Who Was There: Jean Pigozzi, Maryellen McLane, Aryeh Bourkoff, Danielle Levine, Christian McCulloch

Other Details: Jean Pigozzi' held a party at his Meatpacking store  with all proceeds going to Kageno.