mediabistro.com hosted a cocktail party featuring special guest author Kristin Harmel and her new book, Italian for Beginners, on August 12th at Hudson Terrace. The first 50 guests received a free copy of the book, and everyone enjoyed drink specials including the "Baci," as well as complimentary appetizers courtesy of Hudson Terrace. Kristin welcomed the crowd and drew the winners for both raffles, a gift basket of goodies from Little Black Dress Wines and two tickets to mediabistro.com's Panel: Producing Online Entertainment Content in New York. The night culminated with a special performance by Jerry Cherry and his band. To check out more photos from the evening, go to our Flickr page.

At Hudson Terrace on Wednesday, August 12, 2009.

Photos by Lisa Spiteri.

mediabistro.com's cocktail party.

Italian for Beginners author and mediabistro.com instructor and party host Kristin Harmel thanks everyone for coming to the party.

Musical artist Jerry Cherry, Italian for Beginners author and mediabistro.com instructor and party host Kristin Harmel and musical artist Chubby Checker.

Guests check in downstairs at Hudson Terrace.

A&E Television Networks new media specialist Kristen Woodruff, A&E Television Networks distribution coordinator Rachel Mehaffie, and A&E Television Networks operations specialist Aylin Yildiz.

The mediabistro.com party-goers at Hudson Terrace.

Italian for Beginners author and mediabistro.com instructor and party host Kristin Harmel and musical artist Chubby Checker.

JoAnne O'Donnell of Hachette Book Group, Italian for Beginners author and mediabistro.com instructor and party host Kristin Harmel, and Orpheus Productions' Lenny Cecere.

Stageless performance artist Timothy Hospodar, Affinity Communications director Matt Drafer, and LIVEDRAW 0H10M1KE.

Jerry Cherry puts on a performance for the crowd.

Outside of Hudson Terrace.