The Synthesizer

(NEW YORK) Todd DiCiurcio's "Synthesis," the artist's first Gotham solo exhibition of acrylic music portraits, probably broke many records with its two-act, eight-hour bash. Presented by Yvonne Force Villareal's Art Production Fund and Petra Nemcova's Happy Hearts Fund, the celebration doubled as a birthday party for Nemcova, who turned 29 last night. "Even though I haven't slept for the last three days, I'm on the adrenaline energy overdrive right now," smiled DiCiurico, who has captured bands like Bon Jovi, La Dolce Vita and The Killers on stage. "And my friends are just feeding me more!"

His supporters at Santo's Party House included Erika Christensen, Amy Sacco, Andrew Saffir, Thom Browne, Genevieve Jones, Michael Imperioli, Josh Lucas, Jennifer Creel, Stavros Niarchos and longtime friend DJ Momjeans, aka Danny Masterson. "I first saw Todd's work during the Broadway performance of In the Heights," recollected Catalina Sandino Moreno. "I didn't know where to look--on stage or watching him sketch!" Looking over the large tuneful canvases, co-host Villareal reminisced about her own favorite rock moments. "Dancing to 'Beth, I Hear You Calling' by Kiss with all my fabulous eighth grade boyfriends!" she shared with a wide grin.

The Filthy Youth and Death of Fashion, two of the bands captured by DiCiurcio, performed for the crowd, and Ed Westwick of the former band shared that he survived a car crash to make it to the event. "I'm a closeted singer and songwriter, too," said Westwick's Gossip Girl co-star Taylor Momsen. "But so far, I don't have the guts to do it in front of a live audience!"

Nemcova was looking forward to her own annual ritual. "For every birthday, we have a tradition of doing a fierce fashion walk-off," she excitedly shared. "Everyone has to participate, whether you're boy or a girl, famous or not. You'd think I have an advantage, but my hairstylist is pretty good!"
VALENTINE UHOVSKI