By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
GREENWICH VILLAGE — Bleecker Street looked more like Bourbon Street Tuesday night as revelers celebrated Mardi Gras with a party to help raise funds for the Lower Eastside Girls Club.
The second-annual Fat Tuesday ball at Le Poisson Rouge drew hundreds of mask-wearing partiers who boogied to Big Easy jazz for the carnival-style celebration, hosted by Two Boots Pizza owner and longtime East Village fixture Phil Hartman.
"The Lower East Side is a piece of New Orleans in New York," said Lyn Pentecost, founder and director of the Lower Eastside Girls Club, which serves economically disadvantaged young women in the neighborhood and ultimately benefited from $30,000 raised at the event.
Actors Luis Guzman and Susan Sarandon were named Mardi Gras King and Queen, donning their crowns on stage to the delight of the hundreds in attendance.
"This is the best kingdom I've ever been a part of," Sarandon said. "I don’t think I've ever been crowned before as best I can remember. I'm glad this is my first."
Guzman, a lifelong Lower East Sider who's worked with the Girls Club before, cut right to the chase.
"This is a dream — I'm living it and loving it," he said. "In the spirit of Mardi Gras, you're all invited to my bedroom tonight."
Portions of the proceeds will go to the Lower Eastside Girls Club's sister arts group in New Orleans the Ya Yas, (Young Artists/Young Aspirations).
