The 25th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party at West Hollywood Park, hosted by Elton John and his longtime partner, David Furnish (Event Chair) raised an estimated $6 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
One thousand guests paying $5000. per ticket attended the Silver Anniversary celebration, sponsored by Bulgari, Neuro Drinks and Diana Jenkins. The evening began on the white carpet flanked by violet hydrangeas and magenta orchids. which extended into three tents for the viewing of the 87th Annual Academy awards with a gala dinner, live auction and musical performances.
The dinner, prepared by Chef Gordon Ramsay offered selections of tuna sashimi, artichoke soup and a choice of filet mignon or sea bass, ending with blue cheese and poached pear and a smoked chocolate mousse.
Auction items included a 13 karat BVLGARI necklace, a five-day stay at Steven Tyler’s Maui retreat, a Black and white print of Carly Simon which sold for $70,000. and donations from Ciara, Peter Fonda and Adam Lambert, to name a few. It was also the first year that all pledges were matched by Survival Pictures.
The evening featured musical performances by St. Paul and the Broken Bones, but the highlight no doubt was Elton John, who in addition to serving as host, performed with his band.
Beginning 25 years ago with a dinner party for a few hundred guests in a Beverly Hills restaurant, the event has raised nearly $56 million dollars for the Elton John Aids Foundation, an international non-profit organization funding direct patient care services and AIDS prevention education.
