Kudos to hubby Marc Anthony on pulling off an actual surprise b-day bash for wife Jennifer Lopez. Titled “An Evening With Lola”, the birthday party was thrown at New York’s Edison Ballroom on Saturday night. Lola is Marc’s nickname for Jennifer.

Dressed in a Grecian gown with a grandiose gold lining, Jennifer was instantly surrounded by her celeb friends upon entering the spot. OK! magazine interviewed an onlooker, who noted “She looked genuinely shocked, like she expected something, but not this. She had a huge smile on her face and looked teary-eyed at one point as she went in.”

There may have been other reasons for the tears, however. A large bloc of seats were empty, to which Jennifer quickly realized were tardy couples for HER birthday party. The most notable latecomers were Alicia Keys and boyfriend Swiss Beatz. Ricky Martin, Liza Minnelli, Leah Remini, L.A. Reid, Gayle King, O’Neal McKnight, and Benny Medina were all right on time. Kudos!

And the two noticeable no-shows of the evening? Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who were out cavorting with David and Victoria Beckham. Oh yea, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett also took a rain check.