NEW YORK-JUNE 30: BIG TOP AT THE BOWERY to Benefit CANCER 101 on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at Bowery Terrace at the Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery (2nd and 3rd Sts.), New York City, NY. CANCER101 held its much anticipated BIG TOP AT THE BOWERY cocktail benefit tonight at the Bowery Terrace at the Bowery Hotel, to celebrate cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers. Despite the deluge of rain and thunderstorms, over 350 exciting and notable supporters attended the energetic, colorful, circus-themed cocktail party -- replete with popcorn, cotton candy, candy apples, STOGO ice cream, and of course, live performances by the Donnell Adler, Inc. and the renowned Broadway in South Africa troupe, including aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, stilt walkers, tarot card reader, magicians and hula hoopers. The Bowery Terrace was flooded with revelers who chased the rain away as they hula-hooped (it looks so much easier when someone else is doing it!) and danced to Xplosive Entertainment’s tunes. Hosted by the Today Show’s Hoda Kotb and Madame Paulette’s John Mahdessian, the Bowery Terrace was the showground for guests such as Shauna Brook, Ann Caruso, Shaokao and Nikki Cheng, Peter Davis, Robert Farrior, Melissa Foss, Miguelina Gambaccini, Monica Knoll, Anisha Lakhani, Kristian Laliberte, Keith Lissner, Erin Lucas, Aslaug Magnusdottir, Liam McMullan, Veronica Moncho-Lobo, Maggie Norris, Bianca Pratt, Euan Rellie, Susan Shin, Mona Wyatt Maine de Biran and more. Guests visited the “CANCER101 Lounge” while learning about the organization, as well as the SOLERNO VIP Lounge where they savored the ever-popular Solerno Bellinis . Meanwhile, Madame Paulette President, John Mahdessian greeted guests as the “Greatest Sponsor on Earth.” Indeed, Madame Paulette announced its year-long partnership with CANCER101, committing to raising funds for the organization through the auction of restored vintage designer gowns -- we are “saving clothes to save lives,” said Mr. Mahdessian. Other generous sponsors included Sanofi-Aventis, which was the “Big Top Sponsor”, Genentech, Inc. and The Greater New York Hospital Association, which were collectively, the “Three Ring Sponsors”. There were no circus animals but ferocity was the game, as bidding on the Silent Auction became heated; there was fierce competition over items such as a fuchsia Emanuel Ungaro handbag, a Tumi overnight tote bag, a Matthew Williamson clutch, House of Waris pendants, MODO for Jennifer Creel sunglasses, a Miguelina dress, a La Perla velvet and satin robe, a Warren-Tricomi salon experience with the dynamic duo themselves, Tibi swimsuit and wrap, a Calvin Klein gift certificate. Actual lines formed over the Rosenthal platinum vase that caused a tug of war as well as tickets to the CHOCHENG Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show at Bryant Park during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. In the spirit of giving but getting that 1 special item, guests also bought raffle tickets with hopes of winning a his and hers bottles of “the world’s most expensive perfume” – Clive Christian No. 1. Indeed, the evening was a celebration of all the good work that CANCER101 does and the progress that it has made since its founding in 2002 by cancer survivor Monica Knoll. PHOTO CREDIT: Copyright © 2009 Manhattan Society.com by Gregory Partanio | tel:718.614.7740 | e-mail: PrinceGregory@manhattansociety.com****ID'S Coming Shortly****