Three decades after she first set out to reclaim neglected lots and littered parks, Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project (NYRP) — founded in 1995 — marked its 30th anniversary with a raucous Hulaween gala. What began as one woman’s determination to transform blighted public space has grown into an organization that has created and restored vital green areas across all five boroughs, with a particular emphasis on underserved neighborhoods.

The celebratory soirée took place on Friday night, Oct. 24, 2025, at Cipriani South Street. In a highlight that surprised the audience, Billy Crystal — resurrecting the gruff, nostalgic persona from his 1992 film Mr. Saturday Night — appeared as a guest performer and deadpanned, “We’re here for the late Bette Midler,” before launching into a bawdy song and a string of classic Borscht Belt jokes. Marc Shaiman and a band led by veteran bassist Will Lee joined Crystal onstage for the tribute.

Midler, who was presented with the catalyst award for her environmental activism, was visibly moved by the unexpected homage and praised the many people who’ve supported NYRP over the years. In a zinger-laced moment during her acceptance speech, she thanked former Mayor Rudy Giuliani — who was not in attendance — “back when he was sane,” adding with a glance upward, “God help that young man.”

The gala’s theme, “New York, New York, A Helluva Town!”, inspired imaginative and often outrageous costumes, from a Sesame Street troupe to a guest wearing a prop-laden fallen air-conditioning unit. Musically, the night featured a eclectic mix: Christopher Cross performed his Oscar-winning “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” Ben Platt delivered a funky cover of the Drifters’ “On Broadway,” Sandra Bernhard offered a fierce rendition of St. Vincent’s “New York,” Shoshana Bean revived the Ad Libs’ “The Boy From New York City,” and Marisha Wallace channeled the Liza Minnelli spirit with “New York, New York.”

The event raised $2.9 million for NYRP, buoyed by a $1 million gift from designer Mica Ertegun — the widow of music executive Ahmet Ertegun — made prior to her death. Generous bids and donations from the roughly 500 attendees, which included Michael Kors, Darren Criss, Andy Cohen (attending as Andy Warhol), host Busy Philipps (dressed as Cher from Moonstruck), Jann Wenner, Graydon Carter and Midler’s daughter Sophie von Haselberg, helped reach the total.

“That’s what we were put on earth to do,” Midler said during the evening. “To share. Not to hoard.”

For more about the New York Restoration Project and its programs, visit nyrp.org.

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