By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Looking for a place other than your couch to watch the 82nd Academy Awards this weekend? Fear not, movie lovers, there's a bevy of Oscar-viewing parties in Manhattan to choose from on Sunday night.
If you have some money to burn, then Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall is the place to get your award-night fix. For the first time ever, NYC & Company and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences teamed up to host the city’s official Oscar-viewing gala, which is as to close to the real thing as New Yorkers can get.
Tickets range in price from the $150 “Supporting Role” to the $225 “Starring Role.” The event, called "Oscar Night and the City," boasts a pre-show reception complete with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and the Julliard Jazz Ensemble playing music from Oscar-winning films. This is, of course, followed by a live broadcast of the awards show in the main concert hall.
For "Avatar" buffs with a smaller budget, check out restaurateur Donatella Arpaia's viewing party on the Upper East Side. Admission costs $25 per person and includes two cocktails — one of which is aptly named “Blue Avatar” — and hors d’oeuvres including meatballs, white bean bruschetta, panzarotti and panna cotta with caramel sauce. In a nod to the little bald man, Arpaia will serve popcorn dusted with edible “Oscar gold.”
The "Hangover" got left out of the best picture category, but that doesn't mean Oscar night will be devoid of some good laughs. The Meatpacking District’s Comix will celebrate the Oscars with cleverly titled food specials like the Lovely Boneless Chicken Tenders, Alex Baldwings and the Whoopi GoldBurger.
If that’s not enough, specialty cocktails include the Hurt Liquer, the Blind Sidecar and the “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Gin & Tonic. Admission is free, and trivia games, ballots and a raffle will take place throughout the night.
While some Manhattanites will be in it simply for the food and drinks, Harlem residents will no doubt be pulling for "Precious" to bring home a few awards.
The film, which is set in Harlem, has been nominated for six awards, including Best Picture. Actress Mo'Nique hopes to follow up her Golden Globes win with an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category. Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, 26, gave a powerful performance in the movie's lead role to earn herself a Best Actress nomination.
Still, "Precious" is an underdog in the Best Picture category, with favorites "The Hurt Locker" and "Avatar" each boasting nine nominations apiece.
This year’s Best Picture winner will be selected from a list of 10 films, instead of the usual five. The others include "The Blind Side," "District 9," "An Education," "Inglourious Basterds," "A Serious Man," "Up," and "Up in the Air."
The awards will air on Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC.
