Touching Tribute To Natasha Richardson

I was at the amfAR "Honoring With Pride" gala at the Edison Ballroom last night, and in between the wild acceptance speeches (like Lady Bunny's zanily potty-mouthed one) and the wacky auction (where Patricia Field rushed the stage to say she was bidding on the trip to Alaska for 10 because "I've always wanted to go there"), there was a heartfelt tribute to Natasha Ricardson.

Alan Cumming, who costarred with Natasha in Cabaret, said how special she was and added that she was dedicated to fighting AIDS, partly because her father Tony Richardson had died from it. Then they showed a video montage of Natasha's sound bites and good works and a hush came over the room because it was oh so inspiring and lovely. And then we went back to eating and bidding.

And hanging with Cheyenne Jackson! And his "ball and chain"! They're fun guys who bemoaned the fact that their theater friends can't afford to see Cheyenne's cabaret show with Michael Feinstein. So Cheyenne auctioned off a bunch of tickets and even included a backstage visit! I bet Patricia Field would have bid on that if she weren't so eagerly bound for Palin's homeland.

I'll have more on the event in the column.