Over 700 guests were treated like sultans and transported to an exotic oasis at Cipriani 42nd Street for the "1001 Nights" gala, benefiting the Lycée Français de New York, a school focused on educating with a global perspective.

Belly dancers and a whirling dervish took the stage with authentic Middle Eastern music in the background, as the crowd enjoyed an enticing menu of Scottish smoked salmon with fennel bavarois and meyer lemon, roasted rack of lamb with a honey-spice glaze, olive-oil roasted vegetables, and rice pilaf with raisins. A decadent vanilla-cream meringue cake, with red-berry and mango coulis, topped off an evening of gastronomic bliss.

The event featured both live and silent auctions, showcasing such spectacular items as: A cruise on the Nile, a fabulous excursion to Turkey, lunch for four with Dr. Ruth, and jewelry from Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels, along with a host of other goodies that caused a frenzy of paddles to fly, as famed auctioneer Simon de Pury led the festivities.

In the mix: Ambassador Raymond Loretan, famed chef Daniel Boulud, Guy Wildenstein, Susan Fales-Hill, Joan and Sandy Weill, Cecile and Ezra Zilkha, Bettina Zilkha, Reed and Delphine Krakoff, Francois Delattre, Ulla Bartsich-Parker, Robert de Rothschild, Dr. Percy Lehning, Edmond and Marielle Safra, Judith Ripka, Wendy Black, Marzia Parcoda, Dr. Karen Burke Goulandris, and William Forsythe.

A new Lycée on life!