Salman Rushdie launched his new book, Luka and the Fire of Life, in front of a packed house of friends and fans at the Bowery Hotel. The incomparable Laura Linney (who flawlessly stars in Showtimes's The Big C), joined Rushdie to read passages from the book. Then, Angela McCluskey and Paul Cantelon performed a lovely set, followed by "The Little Death" (Laura Dawn (lead vocals), Moby (bass, guitar) Daron Murphy (guitar, bass & harmonica) and Aaron A Brooks (drums). Fantastic!

Photo (c)Timothy Greenfield-Sanders