The Henry Street Settlement was up against an inclement economic climate—and, on top of that, rain—at its annual benefit Wednesday night in the Plaza's grand ballroom, but neither ended up dampening the spirits of uptown stalwarts like Anne Hearst and Muffie Potter Aston. Low overhead, of course, was a priority this year. "Cherry blossoms on a budge [sic]," junior co-chair Lesley Schulhof explained, indicating the centerpieces. (Apparently, she's also been scrimping on t's.) And given how much harder charities have to work these days, her collaborator Anna Pinheiro's choice of her favorite silent-auction lot made sense: "Canyon Ranch—the spa! Are you kidding?"

Mayor Bloomberg dropped by to shower praise on the evening's honoree, filmmaker Tatiana von Furstenberg. "She takes right after her mother," he noted. "Glamorous and smart—and philanthropic." Not only that, among the dozen or so generous souls the Lower East Side charity has singled out at recent benefits, von Furstenberg is the only one to live in that part of the city. "I'm just a caring neighbor," she shrugged. As dessert was served, she caught up with fellow downtowner Tara Subkoff. The DJ put on "I Will Survive," and the mood shifted. Across the room, Eva Lorenzotti started swaying. Was she about to dance? "I'm always about to dance!"

— Darrell Hartman