Bette Midler planting trees for her New York Restoration Project in August 2004.
Photo: Adam Chazan

by Beata Loyfman

Bette Midler, 50 Cent, and Dolly Parton walk into a bar.

No, it's not a bad joke, it's what you'll find if you go to Fort Tryon Park in upper Manhattan on May 19 at 6:30 p.m. The annual Spring Picnic raises funds for Midler's New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit dedicated to developing and maintaining New York's green spaces. For as little as $250 (half of which is tax deductible) you can hang out with Bette and her random celeb pals, have a fun dinner, and contribute to a worthwhile cause. Or if you're a high roller in need of an investment, Bette will sell you a $10,000 table for $8,500 if you pay in cash. Any takers?

Bette recently wrote about the theme of the eighth Spring Picnic (Recession Chic) on the Daily Beast. What would this wealthy gal know about surviving a recession? "I was raised by parents who lived through the Depression and I know how to stretch a dollar tighter than Rush Limbaugh's thong." Ahh, that explains it. Just one question: With such an, ahem, eclectic group in attendance, what will the music selection be? A rap, country, show tunes blend? Perhaps a Depression-era ditty?

Further reading:
* Bette, the showgirl, must go on
* Boldface: Celebrity travels