Forwarded to us by Atlasphere member Don Hauptman:
[Note: the information below is now superceded by the information on their web site.]
Party Like It’s 1905!
Join Us in New York City for a Gala Celebration of Ayn Rand’s 100th Birthday
Dear Ayn Rand Admirer,
Happy New Year. But the festivities aren’t over yet!
This is the start of “The Year of Ayn Rand.” One month from today, on the night of Wednesday, February 2, 2005, the date of Ayn Rand’s 100th birthday, a festive Centennial Celebration will be held here in New York City.
If you’re in another part of the world, this is a great time to visit New York. The holiday tourists are gone, hotel rates are lower, and many otherwise sold-out shows have seats available. (Contact me if you need NYC hotel or entertainment recommendations.)
But the most important event on February 2 will be our Centennial Celebration. The venue is Porters, a restaurant in Manhattan’s newly trendy Chelsea neighborhood. It will close to the public, so we will have the entire main floor from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Porters is a classy place with great food and warm, inviting decor. Reviewers use such words as “stylish,” “stunning,” and “ocean liner Deco.” For a 360-degree panoramic tour, plus reviews and other information, go to www.portersnyc.com.
Here are highlights of what’s included in our Ayn Rand Centennial Celebration:
- Gourmet hors d’oeuvres served by uniformed strolling waiters.
- A selection of premium-quality red and white wines and a variety of soft drinks. (For those who prefer beer or hard liquor, there will be a cash bar.)
- An artistically decorated birthday cake, accompanied by coffee and teas.
- Socializing and camaraderie with Objectivist friends, both old and new.
- A souvenir brochure of little-known, unpublished fun facts about Rand and Objectivism. Exclusively for those who attend this event.
- A tribute to Ayn Rand, some important news … plus a few surprises!
What will it all cost? Catered events in Manhattan are wildly expensive. But the staff of Porters has worked with us enthusiastically and heroically to keep the price reasonable — while delivering a high-quality experience that you will enjoy and long remember.
Admission is $55 per person, including gratuities and tax. We’re not aiming to make a profit (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), just to cover our costs.
Don’t delay. The word is spreading, interest is already strong, the restaurant’s capacity is limited, and we expect to sell out quickly.
See below for how to reserve, deadlines, and other details. And remember: If you procrastinate, you may miss out — and you’ll have to wait another 100 years for Ayn Rand’s Bicentennial!
Cordially,
Don Hauptman
Unofficial Event Host
HOW TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS
Our friends at Laissez Faire Books have benevolently agreed to process reservations and payments for us. You have three convenient ways to reserve and pay:
TO CHARGE BY PHONE: Call toll-free 1-800-326-0996 (or 501-975-3650), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Major credit cards honored — please have your card number ready.
TO PAY BY CHECK VIA SNAIL MAIL: Send a check payable to Laissez Faire Books for $55 per person. In the “For” or “Memo” line, write: Rand Centennial. Include your name and names of your guests. Mail to: Laissez Faire Books, 7123 Interstate 30, #42, Little Rock, AR 72209. If you want a confirmation, please include an e-mail address.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Time and place: Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Porters Restaurant, 216 Seventh Ave. (between 22nd and 23rd Streets), Chelsea, New York City. Conveniently located near subways, buses, parking.
Dress code: As befits the occasion, the following is recommended: jackets and ties for men, cocktail attire or dressy casual for women.
Reservation deadline: Laissez Faire Books must receive your reservation and payment no later than close of business, Friday, Jan. 21. But the restaurant’s capacity is limited and we expect to sell out quickly. To ensure that you’re not disappointed, don’t wait — make your reservations today. Absolutely no unreserved admissions at the door.
Cancellations and Refunds: If you reserve and pay and then must cancel, you will receive a full refund if you inform Laissez Faire Books by close of business, Wednesday, Jan. 26, which is one week before the event. No refunds after that date because we owe the restaurant, regardless.
Disclaimers: Particulars subject to change. Our apologies if you receive multiple copies of this announcement — we are e-mailing several lists and it is impractical to eliminate duplications.
See you at Porters on Ayn Rand’s 100th Birthday, February 2!
UPDATE [Jan 14] – An update from Don Hauptman:
Still time to sign up for the Ayn Rand Centennial Celebration in NYC on Feb. 2 — but move fast!
Don Hauptman, Objectivist party animal, announces, “We’re close to selling out. As of today, Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, we have paid reservations equal to about 3/4 of the restaurant’s capacity. I may have stop accepting new reservations soon — or run the risk of violating the (governmentally imposed) fire laws! Flash: Guest speaker Erika Holzer, Ayn Rand’s friend and one of her lawyers, will share memories and anecdotes. Don’t delay. If you miss out, you’ll have to wait until the year 3005 for another event like this! Call LFB after 9 a.m. Central time, weekdays only: 1-800-326-0996. See you at the party.”
For complete details about the event, go here.
