Some Party Before 'Some Enlightened Evening Gala'

8 Aug. 2013/EAST HAMPTON, New York – AT the lush Grey Gardens, it was the type of party that attracted Dames, Sirs, Movie Stars, Socialites, Philanthropists and sundry others who possibly believe in karma.

The occasion? A party thrown by Washington uber power couple Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee for Dame Jillian Sackler, singer Chandrika Tandon as well as yoga enthusiasts Hilaria and Alec Baldwin.

The four are the gala chairs of the "Some Enlightened Evening Gala" on 17 Oct. What is expected to be one of the biggest nights on the Washington, D.C. social calendar is a celebration and fundraiser for a traveling yoga exhibition opening two days later. (See video above).

For three-plus months, the eagerly awaited "Yoga the Art of Transformation" will be housed at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. The multimedia installation, which includes films, sculpture and esoterica for Bhaktas, Hathas and others, is being called the world's first exhibit dedicated to the art of yoga.

Are Hilaria and Alec Baldwin and Dame Jillian Sackler having an impromptu committee meeting. Photos by Gregory Partanio for Manhattan Society.

"Yoga the Art of Transformation" will be on view from 19 Oct. - 26 Jan. before setting off for San Francisco's Asian Art Museum (22 Feb. 2014 – 18 May 2014) and the Cleveland Museum of Art (22 June 2014 - 7 Sept. 2014).

Meanwhile at Grey Gardens, which was once famously the abode of Jackie Kennedy Onassis kin, AC disclosed to revelers, including Dan Aykroyd and philanthropist / entertainer Sir Ivan Wilzig that "yoga changed my life." Indeed!

An unidentified man listens as Ann Nitze quite possibly hears Sir Ivan Wilzig's thoughts on Asian art.

The actor is noticeably more svelte (also due to cutting back on sugar consumption. He looks and sounds happy. In part that credit goes to the lady who was his yoga instructor before she was his wife.

It can safely be said that the expectant Baldwins have asuddha or ananda (joy, bliss).

Visit http://www.asia.si.edu/events/galas or contact Mary Fox at fsgala@si.edu to learn more about the "Some Enlightened Evening Gala" and "Yoga the Art of Transformation."