A night out for new moms

Mother's Day is next Sunday, so why not treat yourself to an early celebration? On Tuesday night, Mingling Moms, a business that brings together new mothers on Long Island, is experimenting with its first pre-Mother's Day extravaganza.

They're calling it an expo, a fundraiser, a gala for moms and expectant moms. All we know is it sounds like fun. No men, no children. No spit up, no diapers, no Baby Bjorns!

The theme of the $65 party is "Sex and the City," which stars Hamptonite mother Sarah Jessica Parker, in honor of the movie premiering May 30. Screens will be playing scenes from the series throughout the evening. "Moms once in a while need a break. They need to go out, they need to have fun, they need to mingle," said Erica Logiudice of Old Brookville, founder and president of Mingling Moms and mother of a 7-year-old girl.

So, drumroll, please. Six things to do at the First Mingling Moms Girls Night Out at Carlyle on The Green at Bethpage State Park:

1. SPOT A CELEBRITY'S MOM? Long Island has bred its share of famous people, and some of their moms still live on the Island. Mingling Moms has invited 20 of them to the event, from Dina Lohan (mom of Lindsay) to Tina Douglas (mom of Ashanti) to Ann Iris Guttenberg (mom of Steve). Who knows whether any will show? But the organization wanted to pay tribute "to the women who were behind the scenes of these superstars' tremendous careers," Logiudice said.

Logiudice also extended an invite to new Long Island mom Jennifer Lopez, who she says has gone from "Jenny from the block" to "Jenny from Northern Boulevard" and from "J.Lo" to "J.LI." But Lopez has been hiding out with her hubby and twins, Max and Emme, at their home in Brookville (shooting their new reality show, perhaps?) so her attendance is a long shot.

2. DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR A CHARITY - AND YOURSELF. Ten percent of the night's proceeds will go to the FACT Foundation. That's a Long Island foundation created by Long Island breast cancer survivor Linda Ferrante of Old Bethpage. FACT stands for "Find A Cure Today."

"The money we raise goes to research on Long Island at Cold Spring Harbor Labs," said Ferrante, who will speak about the importance of mammograms and breast self-exams, and will have literature available to take home.

Other health care-related services scheduled to participate in the evening include ViaCord, which will have information about the benefits of banking newborns' cord blood, and Absolute Yoga in Woodbury, which offers yoga for babies and children.

3. BE PAMPERED WITH A COMPLIMENTARY MASSAGE. Dakotah Salon and Spa in Woodbury will be bringing two massage chairs and a full massage table and will be giving free 15-minute neck and shoulder massages throughout the evening.

"Just something to get moms unwound," said Mary Pergola, salon co-owner. Six manicurists will give free manicures and eight hairdressers will offer styling tips. Three makeup artists will also be there to work their magic.

4. SHOP! Get a sneak preview of items available at Giggle, which has its flagship store in SoHo but will be coming to Long Island this spring. Giggle, which bills itself as a "new-parent store," will set up shop in Glen Cove's Wheatley Plaza. "We have everything from car seats to cribs to baby clothes," said Cory Bronson, marketing manager.

Visage Photography of Smithtown, which specializes in pregnancy and newborn photos, will also be at the gala. Visage bills itself as "A Studio Completely Owned and Run by Moms" that takes emotion-filled portraits.

"It's not about the outfits people wear," owner and mom Tracey Roberts said about her studio's style. "It's about the family connecting and embracing."

Visage also is running a contest called "Long Island's Next Top Mommy," which will net the winner $1,300 of prizes, including a family package at the studio. To enter, visit visagephoto.com and write a paragraph about your most emotional experience since becoming a mother. The winner will be notified by e-mail on Mother's Day. (You don't have to attend the Mingling Moms gala to enter, Roberts said.)

5. WIN BIG! What's a Mom's Night Out without raffles? Prizes that will be auctioned off during the evening include the chance to be a princess for a night at Oheka Castle in Huntington. The package includes two rooms (for four people, so you and your hubby can bring another couple) and dinner for four, plus limousine transportation.

Other prizes to be auctioned include a set of tickets to see "Jersey Boys" on Broadway, $1,000 of laser hair removal and a month of free housekeeping. Oh, and in keeping with the evening's theme, two tickets to the Manhattan premiere of "Sex and the City."

6. MEET OTHER MOTHERS. This is, of course, Mingling Moms' specialty. The group for new moms, with the slogan "Where Moms Meet," offers a program of four lunches at Papa-Razzi in Westbury. Logiudice seats moms together by ages, age of children and geographic location.

"It's a very nice and comforting program," said Debra Lancaster, 30, of Commack, mom of 8-month-old Emma, who participated in March. "Just to talk to people who are at the same point right now."

EVENT INFORMATION: Carlyle on the Green, Tuesday 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., $65 per mom. Includes buffet dinner. Minglingmomsgirlsnightout.com. Or call 917-733-7705.

Related topic galleries: Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dakotah Incorporated, Baby Products, Lancaster (Lancaster, Virginia), Personal Service, Mother's Day

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