Paying to Party

Now that the Democratic National Convention is just a memory, Republicans are waiting in the wings for their turn to face the nation.

The Republican National Convention will be held in New York City from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. Pennsylvania delegates will stay at the Hilton New York along with delegates from Michigan, Texas and Florida. The Philadelphia delegation includes the politically connected such as Republican City Committee Chairman Vito Canuso, fundraisers Fred Anton and David Girard-diCarlo, and former district attorney candidate Joe Bongiovanni. State House Speaker John Perzel's wife, Sheryl, and Kelly Preski, the wife of his chief of staff, Brian Preski, are delegates as well. John Perzel is among the other local GOP elected officials who will attend.

Unlike the Democratic delegation — which was feted in Boston last month with a number of free, corporate-sponsored breakfasts, lunches, receptions and late-night buffets — Republican delegates will have to pay in advance for their meals and events for the week. State delegates are being asked to fork over $300 — and an additional $200 per guest — for their eats and other programs and receptions organized by the party, which include the buses that will take them to the convention site at Madison Square Garden.

Members of the media will be required to pay $200 to attend state delegate functions. Josh Wilson, the political director for the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee, says that various reporter types have not had a problem with paying.

Top GOP fundraisers are being asked to pay even more to attend elite, convention-week gatherings. For the big-money reapers, there will be private concerts at Lincoln Center, cocktail parties at Cipriani's and Tavern on the Green, and a fashion show at Barney's — all of which will require these angels of the party to arrive with more dump trucks of cash.

State Republicans' decision not to rely on corporate freebies echoes the national party's position. These Republicans say they hope to shed the image of being controlled by corporate interests, so instead of spending corporate contributions on gratis parties, their funds will go into President George Bush's campaign coffers.

Bill Pettigrew, a Philadelphia Parking Authority manager and Republican ward leader, will be attending his first convention as a delegate. Pettigrew says he doesn't mind paying the $300 on top of his hotel costs, but he will be bringing his ward chair, Jim Gill, as a guest to share in the expense.

"If I took my wife, it would cost me more than if I split the cost with Jim," explains Pettigrew, who says he appreciates why Democrats let sponsors pay for delegates' meals. "I can understand how the Democrats were wooed to support John Kerry because they had a primary fight. That's not the case with us. We are already going to support George Bush."

Pettigrew says he's received various invitations from organizations holding receptions. They include the "Red, White and Blue" party at the Sheraton New York held by the WISH List (Women in the Senate and House) for $150 and "The Big Tent Party" hosted by the Republican Majority for Choice at the Sky Club for $250. Bo Derek is expected to attend the Tent Party, where pro-choice Republicans are protesting Bush's pro-life stance.

"I will probably look for the free parties," said Pettigrew. "I'll go to [U.S. Sen.] Rick and Karen Santorum's party at the Columbus Citizens Foundation — there's no cost for that one."

The Scene

Whatever the price of parties during convention week, New York will be filled with them. On Sat., Aug. 28, a large party for media will be held at the Time Warner Center. No word if the press will have to pay to get in, but the host city traditionally springs for it.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will host a party in Bryant Park for Log Cabin Gay Republicans. New York Gov. George Pataki and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are expected to attend. (Word is that the mayor and the two governors want to show there are moderate Republicans who don't necessarily share all of Bush's conservative views.)

Among the top parties of the week are Pataki and Schwarzenegger's welcome reception on Ellis Island for New York and California Republicans; Bloomberg's reception at Gracie Mansion for the Latino Congressional Caucus; Pataki's party at Copacabana for the Hispanic Caucus; a lunch tribute to Johnny Cash for Republican contributors at Sotheby's, and a cocktail party at Le Cirque.

The New York Times is hosting a party for select New Yorkers on Mon., Aug. 30, in a secret location, to prevent nosy reporters from attending. (Hint: New Yorkers who have heard about the party say it might be held at Jazz at Lincoln Center.)

The Creative Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization of the entertainment industry that held several events in Boston, will host a benefit gala Tue., Aug. 31, at Spirit featuring Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg 7.

Among others, the second-most-popular Hobbit in Middle-earth, Sean Astin, is expected to attend.