Dozens of celebrities are signed up for a great online auction beginning today. It’s all designed to raise money to stop New York University from further expansion. This month marks my 35th year in Greenwich Village. I came here as an NYU student, and graduated. Since that time NYU has deplorably wrecked the historic fabric of the village, demolishing landmark buildings for their huge dormitories. It’s rather disgusting and unnecessary. Every time I pass by where the great music club The Bottom Line used to stand, I want to weep. It’s been erased by yet another bland NYU edifice. So many nooks and crannies of the Village have been devoured by NYU’s insane expansion. It’s got to stop. Here’s the press release today. Lots of great stuff, too!
The Stars Come Out for Online Holiday Auction Today to Stop NYU’s Expansion Plan!Â
Mark Ruffalo, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Modine, Edward Norton, Cynthia Nixon, John Leguizamo, Padma Lakshmi, Bianca Jagger, Philip Glass, Bill Moyers, Fran Lebowitz, Art Spiegelman, Joel Grey, Kathleen Chalfant and Many Others Now Join Forces to Help Save the Village from NYU’s Expansion Plan, with Gala Holiday Online Auction; Actor Modine Blasts NYU as “Bullying, Land-Grabbing Scrooge”
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — This holiday season, how would you like to have dessert and drinks with Cynthia Nixon and her wife Christine Marinoni? Have lunch with Bill Moyers, Fran Lebowitz or Lewis Lapham? “Hulk Out” with a signed mask and set of figurines from Mark Ruffalo? Go on a two-hour shopping expedition, to curate your pantry and spice collection, with Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi? Play basketball with John Leguizamo? Get a signed copy of Bianca Jagger‘s ‘Arts for Human Rights’ event catalogue? Get a book signed by E.L. Doctorow, a manuscript page from Philip Glass, an uncorrected galley of Art Spiegelman’s Maus, Vol.1, an Alex Katz print, a photograph of William S. Burroughs by Gary Indiana, a painting by actor Joel Grey, signed copies of all Eric Bogosian‘s published works, or a signed personal photo by Matthew Modine from the set of Full Metal Jacket? Become the owner of the rare Omas fountain pen that former US Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Philip Levine used to write The Mercy? Snap up a poster signed by Ed Norton?
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131209/DC29911)
Hang a gorgeous Carol Friedman photograph of Iggy Pop on your living room wall, tour the best hamburger restaurants in the East Village, or have a private makeup application lesson with Hollywood makeup artist Nicki Ledermann (Boardwalk Empire, Side Effects)?
Starting today, all those boldface names—and others—will take part in an online auction to help fund the struggle that NYU Faculty Against the Sexton Plan (NYUFASP) and Village residents and supporters are waging against NYU’s ruinous 2031 expansion plan—a project that will crush the Village. The auction lasts until December 18th.
“I can think of no worthier cause than saving the Village from overdevelopment. This neighborhood is one of the most iconic parts of the City and precisely what makes New York so special,” said Padma Lakshmi.
Actor Matthew Modine, 30 years a Villager, said, “NYU has moved from being a friendly neighbor to a power hungry, land grabbing, politician buying, bullying Scrooge. I encourage everyone that loves the Village to lend their support and voice to protecting this beloved oasis of Manhattan.”
Nearly 170 individuals and businesses have donated items to the auction, which range in value from $25. to $8,000. The silent online auction starts today, December 9 and ends December 18.
Bidders will base their choices on a range of pictures and descriptions of each item, and will be notified by email when they are outbid.
