BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. United States
  3. New York

Playing House

For the 21st annual Bailey House auction and party, the nonprofit moved the festivities to a larger midtown venue.

Michael O'Connell
March 2, 2009

A crowd of 900 turned out for Thursday's annual Bailey House auction and party at Roseland Ballroom to raise money for the charity devoted to housing and empowering New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. This year, the event filled its latest venue choice with a mock-up of a model home in which all of the furnishings were up for auction.

For more than two decades, the auction has moved among venues throughout the city, but with its most recent home, the Puck Building, undergoing renovations, the party had to make an unexpected move for 2009. "We had our committee scout around the city to find something that fit our needs and felt right," said Bailey House board of directors president and auction co-chair Jeffrey Schneider, who planned the event with his partner Jeffery Povero, a committee of over 20 people, and Bailey House president Gina Quattrochi. "We just sort of fell in love with Roseland."

Roseland afforded a bit more room for Bailey House's expansive silent-auction setup, so producers once again turned to set designer Stefan Beckman to think of a dynamic way to move guests through all of the donated items. He settled on creating the interior of a house, with different vignettes for each room of the home. Items up for bid were placed according to what room of the house they might end up in, with children's toys and furniture in a small bedroom and a West Elm tableau in the dining room. Hundreds of artworks hung from the walls of every space.

Early estimates placed Bailey House's haul between $700,000 and $750,000, down a little from last year's total of $800,000—but not as the team behind the event sees it. "We had a sponsor who gave us $200,000 last year," said Schneider, "but this year that same sponsor was only able to give $100,000, so the auction itself ended up raising even more money."

Whether it’s the guests’ generosity or financial situation that remains unmarred by the current economy remains to be seen, but the fact that Bailey House continuously brings in an enviable stable of items for auction can’t hurt. Original works by William Wegman and Ryan McGinley—not to mention the perennial favorite, lunch with Anderson Cooper—all drew lots of bids.

Bailey House's live auction
Bailey House's live auction
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Photographer Ryan McGinley's work, 'Face Down,' was one of the live auction's most-bid-on items.
Photographer Ryan McGinley's work, "Face Down," was one of the live auction's most-bid-on items. 
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
For the stage, set designer Stefan Beckman created the facade of a house and white-picket fencing.
For the stage, set designer Stefan Beckman created the facade of a house and white-picket fencing.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Guests could interact with the items up for silent auction in the vignettes, like furniture, clothing, and art.
Guests could interact with the items up for silent auction in the vignettes, like furniture, clothing, and art.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Stephen Beckman's layout included different rooms of a typical house, with items grouped by the rooms' themes.
Stephen Beckman's layout included different rooms of a typical house, with items grouped by the rooms' themes.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Per tradition, many Bailey House partygoers arrived in full drag.
Per tradition, many Bailey House partygoers arrived in full drag.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Olivier Cheng Catering had two hot-dog carts stationed in Roseland for guests looking for more substantial fare than the passed bites.
Olivier Cheng Catering had two hot-dog carts stationed in Roseland for guests looking for more substantial fare than the passed bites.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Tim Gunn returned to co-host the party with friend Simon Doonan.
Tim Gunn returned to co-host the party with friend Simon Doonan.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Latest in New York
Sales 202502 2339203 Media Campaign X Thumb 700x467 Fnl
Industry Insiders
Everything You Need to Wow, All in One
Unveiled at The William Vale
New York
19 New Venues in New York for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Le Bar Penelope
New York
10 New Venues in New York for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Convene at 101 Park Avenue
New York
14 New Venues in New York for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Related Stories
Water Taxi Beach Governors Island
New York
This Week: Water Taxi to Open Second Beach, Yankee Stadium Will Offer Food From Hard Rock Café
Water Taxi Beach Governors Island
New York
New York Water Taxi Announces Second Makeshift Beach
The table created by Rod Winterrowd Inc.
New York
More Trends From the Orchid Dinner: Napkin Rings, Patterned Textiles, and Unusual Favors
Sports Museum of America
New York
Sports Museum Closing Today
More in New York
Sponsored
Everything You Need to Wow, All in One
Meetings that hit big—made simple.
Sales 202502 2339203 Media Campaign X Thumb 700x467 Fnl
New York
19 New Venues in New York for Spring 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Unveiled at The William Vale
New York
10 New Venues in New York for Fall 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Le Bar Penelope
New York
14 New Venues in New York for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Convene at 101 Park Avenue
Sponsored
Picture-Perfect Venues for Your Midtown Manhattan Events
Newly renovated and expanded Convene venues can host events of all sizes.
A look at the newly refreshed Convene 117 West 46th Street
New York
12 New Venues in New York for Spring 2024 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
The Ranch at Hudson Valley
Most Popular
Strategy
How to Keep Sponsors Happy—Without Sacrificing an Event's Integrity
Event Production & Fabrication
Robin Hood's 2025 Benefit Gala Had the Home Field Advantage—How a Sports Theme Helped Raise $72 Million
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Netflix Rebuilds a Bookstore for 'YOU' Fan Experience—See Inside Joe Goldberg's Twisted Reality
Sports
Why More and More Brands Are Sponsoring Women's Sports Leagues
Meetings
What You Might Have Missed From the 2025 Upfront Season
Food Trends
Event Profs Share the Catering Moments They’ll Never Forget
New York
12 New Venues in New York for Fall 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Maxwell
Sponsored
Venue of the Future: Only at Cipriani 25 Broadway
25 Broadway: Where every event is an unforgettable experience.
An example of the magic at Cipriani 25 Broadway
New York
11 New Venues in New York for Summer 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
Moxy Williamsburg
Sponsored
Top 5 Most Iconic Events at the Manhattan Center
The Manhattan Center’s versatility allows clients to transform the spaces into whatever they envision. Here are five of the most iconic events that have been hosted at the venue.
2022 Red Bull BC One Finals, produced by Listen Entertainment.
New York
17 New Venues in New York for Spring 2023 Meetings and Events
Take an inside look at these trending restaurants, resorts, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in New York.
The Highlight Room at Moxy Lower East Side
Sponsored
Book Your Next Event at UBS Arena at Belmont Park
Located in the heart of Metro NY, UBS Arena at Belmont Park is primed for exceptional events.
Nyi17518 Cs16610 Copy
Page 1 of 333
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.