Henry Darger was a reclusive American writer and artist (1892-1972) whose works were not discovered until just before he died. His landlords entered his one room apartment (Darger was in a nursing home) and saw an amazing site - the walls were covered with art, wonderful art. Darger had been living in one room for forty years creating sureal whimsical works of art.

On May 15, 2010, the American Folk Art Museum hosted a birthday party for the late Henry Darger at Espace. (The Private Collection of Henry Darger is on exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum through September 19, 2010). In honor of his birthday, Patti Smith and her band entertained a crowd was filled with art, music and fashion lovers.

First, board President Barry Brisken greeted the crowd and introduced Caroline Jones who performed a medley of charming coffe-house-style folk songs. Then it was time for Patti Smith and her band. The crowd was filled with Patti Smith lovers who stand/danced to Smith's hits such as Dancing Barefoot and Because the Night.

The crowd with then treated to a performance by Tad Emptage and Aaron Bonventre of Cirque-tacular Entertainment. Emptage and Bonventre did utterly amazing things with their bodies while hanging from straps attached to the high ceiling of Espace.

And then there was birthday cake with lots of birthday candles. This was definitely the birthday party the reclusive Henry Darger never celebrated.

The night's guests included: fashion designer Betsey Johnson; Betsey Johnson's business partner, Chantal Bacon; DJ Anita Sarko; fashion designer Isabel Toledo and her husband, artist Ruben Toledo; Steven Sebring (director of Patti Smith: Dream of Life); fashion designer Moises de la Renta (son of Oscar de la Renta); Harper's Bazaar's Editor Glenda Bailey; artist Jeff Koons; photographer Ryan McGinley; Leigh Keno of the Antiques Roadshow; dog lover Wendy Diamond; Valerie Steele, director of the FIT Fashion Museum; and Petra Levin (former Miss Germany).

Here is a hot tip for both music and art lovers: The American Folk Art Museum (45 West 53rd Street) has free music and free admission each Friday from 5:30-7:30PM. folkartmuseum.org

Betsey Johnson Photo Credit: Mary Blanco	The Daily New's Howard Kissel Photo Credit: Mary Blanco
Valerie Steele and Isabel Toledo Photo Credit: Patrick McMullen	Micah Jesse and Wendy Diamond Photo Credit: Patrick McMullen
Petra Levin Photo Credit: Patrick McMullen	Ruben Toledo, Isabel Toledo and Glenda Bailey Photo Credit: Patrick McMullen

Blair Hartley, Christine Corcoran, Jan Willem ven Bergen Henegouwen
and Phyllis Kossoff
Photo Credit: Mary Blanco

Anita Sarko, Chantal Bacon and Betsey Johnson
Photo Credit: Mary Blanco


David Larijani, Katherine Richardson, Jan Willem ven Bergen Henegouwen,
Phyllis Kossow, Museum Board President Barry Brisken and Peyton Cochran
Photo Credit: Patrick McMullen

Michel Heredia and Samantha Thompson
Photo Credit: Mary Blanco


Leigh Keno, Maria Ann Conelli, Sarah Sperling, and Ryan Kuharic
Photo Credit: Patrick McMullen

Caroline Jones in Concert
Photo Credit: Patrick McMullen

Patti Smith in Concert
Photo Credit: Mary Blanco

Patti Smith in Concert
Photo Credit: Mary Blanco

Patti Smith in Concert
Photo Credit: Mary Blanco

For more information:

folkartmuseum.org/

hammergallery.com/Artists/darger/Darger.htm

livingroomny.com/artist/caroline-jones

www.pattismith.net/