Montauk troubadour Paul Simon was the first to grace the stage at the newly and handsomely restored Beacon Theatre in New York. Photos by Wire Image

New York CIty - Heading back to the East Coast after checking out the awards on the West, I happened by the newly and handsomely restored Beacon Theatre in New York by the Cablevision gents and it was a joy to behold. As a regular habitué of the glorious old theatre I can tell you that the $16 million the Dolans spent was worth every penny and the perfect place once again to hear real music.

Montauk troubadour Paul Simon was the first to grace the new stage and did so beautifully treating the crowd which included Bridgehampton artist Chuck Close, fellow East Enders Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi, and Sir Paul McCartney as well as Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Rosie O'Donnell to a songbook of his greatest tunes.

James Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, received a few boos from the wired crowd when he made his opening remarks but that had more to do with the audience's opinions about another Cablevision property that night, the New York Knicks, than the restoration of the once grand venue.

Marvin Hamlisch, here with wife Terry, will headline with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra once again.

Just when folks thought it couldn't get any better Paul was joined on stage by his long ago partner Art Garfunkel for a reunion of Simon & Garfunkel's all time hits "The Sound of Silence" and "The Boxer" wrapping up with "Old Friends."

Speaking of great music halls and great music, Westhampton's Marvin Hamlisch will headline with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra once again. Last year Marvin led the Philharmonic in a joyous sold-out evening of musical entertainment that will never be forgotten by those who were lucky enough to get a ticket.

Now the Oscar, Tony, Grammy, Golden Globe and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer/conductor returns with an all-new program of magical New York moments from stage and screen, starring a dream team of legendary stars from today and tomorrow including Ashley Brown, Maria Friedman, Joel Grey, Jennifer Holliday, Liza Minnelli, and "South Pacific" stars Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot.

I hear Kimora Lee Simmons's fabulous life was made a tad bit more fab now that she and ex-husband Russell Simmons have come to terms. A Los Angeles court finally resolved the child support issue for the couple's two daughters – nine-year-old Ming Lee and six-year-old Aoki Lee. Kimora will receive $46,000 a month to take care of the wee ones for which she will have sole custody. She also has the right to decide whether the two sweeties will appear in her reality show "Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane."

Too, too fab is my dear friend artist Kevin Berlin who sent me a little missive inviting me to the opening of "Double Happiness" his new show this week - in Shanghai, China. The title should have tipped me off as it sounds like a dish I order at Dragon Garden on North Sea Road. In any event, as Kevin didn't include round-trip tickets, I demurred sweetly.

But I am sorry I won't be there to see the look on the faces of gallery goers when KB unveils several of his outrageous 'Made in China' series paintings in which he spoofs all the Prada and Vuitton knock-offs made by our Chinese brethren. In case you happen to be in Shanghai this week, you can catch Kevin's show at the very exclusive Fu Xin Gallery, famed for important contemporary art and separating Chinese millionaires from their newly earned fortunes.

Restaurateur Drew Nieporent may be serving up some fancy vittles at the new Citi Field.

I just learned that one of our favorite restaurateurs Drew Nieporent may be serving up some fancy vittles at the new Citi Field formerly Shea Stadium when he takes over the old Left Field Restaurant at Shea - oops, Citi Field. Drew, as I am sure you know, is the founder and inspiration behind the Myriad Restaurant Group, which operates Tribeca Grill (with best bud Robert De Niro), Nobu, Nobu London, Next Door Nobu, Nobu 57, Centrico, Mai House, and Crush Wine & Spirits.

And if top grade sushi doesn't make you start singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" know also that Mr. Hospitality himself Danny Meyer of Union Square Hospitality Group (as in the award winning joints Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Café, Tabla and Blue Smoke) will be opening a field side version of his mucho popular Shake Shack (the BEST burger in the city) and a sister to Blue Smoke for the BBQ fans. Dining will be the big scene for ballgame goers come April.

I just received a note from my super organized always in the loop friend Sara Herbert Galloway who is cooking up a great event with Alec Baldwin, Meredith Viera, and uber-publicist Gary Springer, whom everyone knows is the man in the know for the Hamptons International Film Festival lo these many years. This can-do quartet is organizing the inaugural gala for the National Meningitis Association on May 12, to be held at New York City's famed landmark, The Rainbow Room. This signature fundraising event will help NMA continue and expand its vital work in the fight against meningitis.

John Boy Walton a/k/a Richard Thomas will emcee and the brilliant Lainie Kazan will perform at this premiere event of cocktails auction, dinner, and dancing in New York's most glamorous venue overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

They will be honoring several very special individuals including Dr. Nancy L. Snyderman, NBC News Chief Medical Editor and frequent "Today Show" contributor, and Dr. Paul Offit, Chief at the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

A newly created award named for Gary's wife, Nancy Ford Springer, the Inspiration Award will go to three courageous individuals Melanie Benn, John Kach, and Nick Springer, who are survivors of meningitis and whose accomplishments inspire us all. Nick you might remember lost his limbs from a flesh eating form of the disease but it did not stop him from living the life of a normal teenager - competing in sports, driving, and just getting around. Last year he was a gold medalist in the Para-Olympics in Beijing. His mother Nancy watched from her hospital bed and lived long enough to hear her son's name called out in the Olympic Stadium. She passed away before he could return to Los Angeles. This will be one teriffic and memorable evening for sure.