By Maria Esteves - February 27, 2009

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) official 81st Annual Academy Awards New York Evening Gala was held at the stunning legendary Carlyle Hotel, NYC, on Sunday, February 22, 6:45PM. The festivities for Academy members included an intimate cocktail reception in the Café Carlyle, an elegant multi-course dinner prepared by executive chef James Sakatos in the Trianon Suite and live broadcast of the 2009 Oscars hosted by actor Hugh Jackman at the Kodak Theatre, in Hollywood, California. The 81st Annual Academy Awards presented by AMPAS honors excellence in film achievements of 2008. The Oscars were televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: composer/orchestrator Sid Ramin, 1961 Academy Award winner for Best Musical Score “West Side Story,” with his wife Gloria Ramin. New York's Broadway revival of “West Side Story” begins Monday, February 23, 2009.

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: (from left-right), producer Arthur Manson, 2005 Academy Award nominee “Hotel Rwanda;” New York Oscar Night vice chair Celia Weston; New York Oscar Night chair Donna Zakowska, production/costume designer; and AMPAS New York Events Committee Chair Bud Rosenthal.

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: editor Lawrence Silk, three time Academy Award winner for Best Documentary “Marjoe,” “One Survivor Remembers,“ and “American Dream,” with Elizabeth Silk.

> AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: New York program director Patrick Harrison, AMPAS, (right), with Best Actor Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush ”Shine.” Rush’s New York Broadway debut in “Exit the King,” begins March 30, 2009.

> AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: actress Sylvia Miles, Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress “Farewell My Lovely,” "Midnight Cowboy,” (right), and artist Hunt Slonem.

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: 1963 Academy Award winner For Best Actress Patricia Neal, “Hud” (left), with actress Lisa Eichhorn.

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: (from right-left), New York program director Patrick Harrison, AMPAS, with actress Lisa Eichhorn and writer/director/producer David Spaltro, “Around.”

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: 2008 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Short, director/producer /cinematographer Cynthia Wade with producer Matthew Syrett (husband), “Freeheld.”

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: Best Actor Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush ”Shine.” Rush’s New York Broadway debut in “Exit the King,” begins March 30, 2009.

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: Academy members enjoyed an elegant multi-course dinner and live broadcast of the 81st Academy Awards at The Carlyle.

AMPAS Official 2009 New York Oscar Night: Academy members enjoyed an elegant multi-course

dinner and live broadcast of the 81st Academy Awards at The Carlyle.

Maria Esteves