Liberty Belle Spectacular 2011 | Empire Hotel

Fireworks, burlesque and patriotic fashion on the roof of the Empire Hotel

The great party minds of The Salon, Wit's End, Dances of Vice and the Champagne Riot combined forces for a second year in a row to throw the Liberty Belle Spectacular on the roof of the Empire Hotel...and spectacular it was. There were hard-to-see fireworks on one end of the terrace, and some good old-fashioned fisticuffs nearly broke out as people tried to crowd out onto the already crowded side of the roof with the view. But for those of us who relaxed and realized that once you've seen one fireworks display you've seen 'em all, and got down to the nitty gritty of burlesque performances and the bands, there was plenty of sparkle to dazzle everyone.

With nearly everyone showing their patriotic fashion chops in red, white and blue ensembles,  two intrepid, vivacious and self-proclaimed fashion police —James and Sarah— decided to fund their own Mr and Miss Liberty Belle contest, interviewing all of the evening's best dressed guests and awarding the winners with $100 cash prize. "It was a way for us to talk to all these incredibly creative people without being weird!" said Sarah. —Gabi Porter

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