We all know Whoopi Goldberg doesn’t get off the View couch for very much—the sometime actress is enjoying semiretirement, passing the time by weighing in with Barbara Walters on the issues of the day, like the latest Redbook survey or anything about Fifty Shades of Grey. Tonight, she’s digging into far more serious matters, presenting an award to fellow thespian S. Epatha Merkerson for her efforts on behalf of emphatically italicized charity CancerCare. The evening is to feature a live auction with a Sotheby’s auctioneer as well as a chance to talk The Color Purple with the movie’s star! (Be sure to ask Whoopi for her take on the flailing Oprah.)

The Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle, cocktail reception 6:30pm, presentation and dinner 7:30pm; tickets and information can be found at cancercare.org/gala.

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