Hundreds of supporters who attended the auction were treated to a moving performance by Harvey Keitel as well as an amazing array of Live and Silent Auction items. A reception and preview gave our sponsors and benefactors an opportunity for early viewing preceeding the silent auction, which took place during the cocktail hour. Music was provided by Roy Nathanson and his Brass Band.

The formal portion of the evening included a reading by Harvey Keitel of a monologue which Eve Ensler wrote specifically for the occasion.

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Carl Bernstein spoke to the group about the impact of violence on society and on the personal lives of those it touches. A splendid group of young performers raised the roof with a spirited gospel-style song and set the stage for the Live Auction conducted by Sotheby's Benjamin Doller.

Knowing that it is vital that men take a stand and become active in the movement to end violence, V-Day Men has assembled a highly visible on-going Honorary Board: Kevin Bacon, Jon Robin Baitz, Carl Bernstein, Michael Bolton, Gabriel Byrne, Matt Dillon, Harvey Fierstein, Harrison Ford, Greg Gorman, Spalding Grey, Harvey Keitel, John Leguizamo, Dylan McDermott, Rob Morrow, Todd Oldham, Mandy Patinkin, Tom Poston, Ron Rifkin, Liev Schreiber, Fisher Stevens, James Taylor, John Turturro, Robert Wagner -- AND the list is still very much in formation.

The following is a sampling of some of the auction items that helped to raise much needed funds:

Day with the pastry chef of Le Cirque; Private Lessons and Training Sessions with Professional & Olympic athletes; VIP passes to the New York Giants 1999 training camp & dinner in the player's dining room; Art from leading artists, leading men & leading ladies; Film premiere passes; Passes on the field for N.Y. Mets batting practice; The front, center table for 4 to "Cabaret" & a backstage tour with the cast; All 'Star Wars' Trilogy Scripts signed by Harrison Ford; Wines from Bryant Family, Caymus, Colgin, Turley & many others; Vacation at the Four Seasons; Bali Fashions by Badgley-Mischka, Alpana Bawa, Claiborne, Todd Oldham, and others AND MUCH MORE...(upwards of 125 items)

About V-Day Men:

Each year more than 800,000 women are the victims of domestic and sexual violence in the United States alone. These are not just victims. They are our daughters, mothers, sisters, lovers, friends, and wives.

February 14 of this year, a group of women created an extraordinary event inspired by playwright Eve Ensler's obie award-winning "The Vagina Monologues." Featuring performances by Glenn Close, Calista Flockhart, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez, Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, Lily Tomlin, and many others, "V-Day 1998" raised over $100,000 and called for the end of violence against women. A group of men - V-Day Men - are committed to doing the same. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the V-Day Fund, which is creating a grassroots initiative to stop violence against women.

Previous recipients of V-Day funds include: Equality Now, Feminist.com, Human Rights Watch, Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women, Sanctuary for Families in NYC, The Bedford Hills Correctional Family Violence Program, The Center Against Sexual Abuse, and the V-Day 2001 Event. V-Day Men Founders: Eric Falkenstein, James Lecesne, Larry Lerner, Carl Riehl.