FranCon — the SantaCon for “stuck-up intellectuals,” according to organizer Jane August — celebrated its third edition in the East Village Thursday night.
Dozens of people showed up at the Holiday Cocktail Lounge, decked out in variations of curmudgeonly writer Fran Lebowitz's signature style: blazer, white shirt, cigarette.
Among the Frans was Eli Haberberg, who described Lebowitz as “the perfect New Yorker.”
“She's staunchly opinionated in a way that feels, always, like she's on the right side of the argument," Haberberg said.
August, the event's co-host, also praised Lebowitz for speaking her mind.
“If you don't like what she says, she doesn't care,” said August. “I think we don't see that enough, especially as a role model for women.”
August said Lebowitz’s grumpiness was relatable to many New Yorkers, and that it was often misunderstood.
“People think that New Yorkers are mean, when really we just got things to do,” she said.
This year’s event included a take-one-leave-one book exchange in honor of Lebowitz’s love of writing and ideas.
The drinks menu featured cocktails such as “Writer’s Block,” a blend of mezcal, hibiscus and lime; and a “Martini Scorsese,” described as a classic martini and named for the acclaimed film director and decades-long Lebowitz collaborator and pal.
The hosts handed out candy cigarettes for the smokers and nonsmokers alike to complete their costumes.
Lebowitz herself did not attend FranCon, nor was she invited, as Gothamist reported Tuesday. However, the date was selected to mark her birthday: On Friday, Lebowitz turns 73.
Tobie Goldberg, who was attending FranCon for the first time, and also dressed as a Fran, described Lebowitz as “a Jewish icon of New York City.”
Goldberg, who attended with a roommate, said they were planning to return.
“We came here on a whim but found a crowd that we very much relate to and I think we're going to make this a yearly thing,” said Goldberg.
