There were legends aplenty at the Tradition, last night’s fund-raiser for the Sports Museum at the TD Banknorth Garden. Award recipients included former Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, ex-Pat Troy Brown, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, Celtic great Sam Jones, former Bruin Ken Hodge, and hockey coaches Jack Parker and Jerry York.
The Party is back
The formerly Boston-based dance troupe known as 123 Party! has been reborn. The boombox-bearing ensemble, including Mike “Lazer’’ Perlman and new members Chris “Ultra’’ Logue and Chris “Ice’’ DeChirico, auditioned in New York for “America’s Got Talent’’ and made the cut. They strutted their stuff for judges Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff, and Piers Morgan. (The troupe was unsure when the segment would air.) Perlman wouldn’t say much about the performance, but said the crowd was not enthused and the troupe was rejected. “I’m so fortunate to have spent time within the presence of the Hoff,’’ he told us yesterday. “I couldn’t speak afterward. It was just a magical moment.’’ART's longtime leader is leaving
After nearly 40 years with the American Repertory Theater, Robert Orchard (inset) is out. Orchard, who has served as executive director since the founding of the theater company, told trustees this week that he’s retiring. In an e-mail to friends and staff, Orchard said it’s not a coincidence that he’s departing just as Diane Paulus is taking over as artistic director. “The ART’s future is in excellent hands,’’ he wrote, adding that Paulus has asked him to stay on as a special adviser. “I have told her I am happy to do whatever I can to help.’’ In a statement, Paulus praised Orchard as an “esteemed and extremely valued colleague,’’ and ART founding director Robert Brustein said, “Orchard has been the nervous system and the bloodstream’’ of the company and “nothing we have accomplished could have been done without his wisdom, advice, and direction.’’The Boston Symphony Orchestra is laying off 10 people, primarily in its development and public relations offices. Orchestra officials were busy yesterday moving to their summer home in the Berkshires, but BSO managing director Mark Volpe did issue a statement: “Like other cultural institutions nationwide, the BSO is facing serious challenges due to this past year’s economic downturn, including a substantial decline in the value of the orchestra’s endowment. In the course of confronting these challenges, the BSO found it necessary to reduce its full time work force by 5.3%. The BSO remains committed to maintaining its financial equilibrium, while pursuing its mission as one of the leading orchestras in the world.’’ The layoffs follow a hiring freeze and the cancellation of a European tour the BSO planned for 2010.
Mezrich goes to movies -- again
There’s no shortage of buzz surrounding Ben Mezrich’s new book. Called “Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal,’’ the book has already been optioned, adapted for the big screen, and a director is now on board. Variety reports that David Fincher, whose credits include “Fight Club’’ and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,’’ is set to direct the movie based on Mezrich’s book. The big screen version will be called “The Social Network,’’ and the script’s been written by “West Wing’’ creator Aaron Sorkin. The movie will trace the evolution of Facebook, beginning with its creation in 2004 by Harvard sophomore Mark Zuckerberg. (Producing “The Social Network’’ are Scott Rudin, Michael De Luca, Kevin Spacey, and Dana Brunetti, the team behind “21,’’ which was based on another Mezrich book, “Bringing Down the House.’’) All of this is pretty interesting considering that “Billionaires’’ isn’t even out yet, and won’t be for another few weeks (July 14, to be exact). In an e-mail yesterday, Mezrich (inset) told us he’s a Fincher fan, but otherwise doesn’t know much more than what he’s read on the Internet.Husbands into 'Kitchen'
Andy Husbands is the latest hotshot chef to try his hand at TV. While Michael Schlow had to pack his knives after one episode of “Top Chef Masters,’’ Husbands will attempt to hang around a little longer on “Hell’s Kitchen.’’ That’s right, Fox has revealed the cooks who’ll compete on the sixth season of Gordon Ramsay’s show, and the Tremont 647 chef is among them. Husbands has kept his participation on the program very hush-hush, telling friends that he was vacationing in Mexico when, in fact, he was taping the TV show. (The new season of “Hell’s Kitchen’’ premieres with a two-hour episode July 21.) Husbands isn’t the only foodie from the area on the show. Keep an eye out for Plymouth native Kevin Cottle, who works in Middleton, Conn., Louie Cordio, who owns a diner in Fitchburg, and Jim McGloin, a sous chef in Nashua, N.H.Stay-at-home model
Tom Brady’s wife, Gisele Bundchen, is all about family. “I am crazy about children. . . . I am an adoptive mother. . . . I’ve already had this experience for two years,’’ the supermodel said during a TV appearance in Brazil. In the interview, which People.com reported yesterday, Bundchen said she’s excited to be married to the Pats QB. “I think I’ve met the right person, my partner, my companion. I already knew that we would get married a year and a half before we got married. We felt it. The heart spoke louder.’’ She said she’ll be working less, at least for awhile. “I prefer to stay at home. The big husband wins. Because of this relationship, what is most important to me is the family. Now I am creating my other family.’’The reopening of Bella Luna Restaurant and the Milky Way Lounge attracted a few familiar faces this week. Inspecting the new space at the Brewery complex in JP were Hizzoner Tom Menino, city councilors John Tobin and John Connolly, state rep Liz Malia, Farm Aid executive director Carolyn Mugar, Zon’s owner Kenny Tilton, and restaurateur Darryl Settles. Owners Kathie Mainzer, Carol Downs, Charlie Rose, and Pierre Apollon hosted and chef Jake Zachow prepped a panoply of tasty treats.
Celebrated street artist Shepard Fairey is headed back to Boston - and not to appear in court. Fairey, who was busted by Boston police last winter on vandalism charges related to his art, is due back July 31 to DJ a party at the ICA. (The museum is currently exhibiting Fairey’s work.) The artist will be joined by Z-Trip, who DJ’d the night Fairey was arrested, and Public Enemy’s Chuck D.
Looking unbothered by the swirling trade rumors, Celtic Rajon Rondo joined loads of others at Town Line Ten Pin in Malden for the “Bowling for Education’’ fund-raiser. The event raised over $80,000 for the Simon Youth Foundation.
Tickets for Paul McCartney’s two Fenway Park shows go on sale Monday, and will cost $69, $99, and $205. The tix will be available at 10 a.m. at www.livenation.com, at the Orpheum box office, or at 800-514-3849. The shows are Aug. 5 and 6.
Read the Names blog at www.boston.com/namesblog. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253. 
