A transformative time in New York City’s history, the Gilded Age is known as a period of growth, wealth, skyscrapers, lavish parties, and rapid social change. The Upper East Side boasts some of the most spectacular mansions of the period, built by millionaires along the “Gold Coast” of Fifth Avenue. While names like Astor, Vanderbilt, Frick, and Carnegie left their mark along Millionaire’s Row, hundreds of thousands of immigrants crowded into tenements in Yorkville, the “other” half of the Upper East Side. Esther Crain, who writes the popular Ephemeral New York blog, illustrates this period of great extremes through the use of historic photography, personal diaries, newspapers, and more in her new book.Join FRIENDS and the author for drinks, discussion, and a look at Gilded Age life. Jazz music by legendary guitarist Gene Bertoncini to follow.