October 7 - Art, money and power converged at the 7th National Arts Awards ceremony. The annual shindig by the nonprofit organization Americans for the Arts honors artists and those who support the arts. Cipriani was a vortex of influence with honorees and attendees like artists Jeff Koons and island-wrapper Christo, actress Natalie Portman, author Amy Tan, New York Pops conductor Skitch Henderson and magazine mavens Tina Brown and Helen Gurley Brown, both wearing black (almost everyone wearing black, actually, a dignified affair). Mogul types Barry Diller, David Rockefeller, Veronica Hearst and Ronald Lauder were among those who can't do, but can afford.