BEN’S BUDS
It was “Ugly Betty” meets “The Office” as stars from two of TV’s biggest shows gathered to fete NBC boss Ben Silverman at the Beverly Hilton. Steve Carell, Creed Bratton, Leslie David Baker and Oscar Nunez joined Anna Ortiz, Chris Gorham and others at Cedars Sinai’s annual Road to a Cure. While Reveille’s former golden boy is famed for his television touch, on this night he was honored for his community involvement and volunteerism.
More than 1,000 well-connected revelers hit the Hilton ballroom where emcee Joey Fatone welcomed the crowd.
Fatone brought along a few footloose friends like fellow Dancing With the Stars alums Joey Lawrence, Joey McIntyre and Drew Lachey.
There was applause all around as legendary producer Walter Mirisch was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Prez Sid Ganis. It was a look back on an impressive career from the man who brought us classic films like “The Magnificent Seven,” “In the Heat of the Night” and” “West Side Story.”
Lauren Leichtman and Arthur Levine received the Board of Governor’s Humanitarian Award for their involvement in causes as diverse as the Los Angeles Opera to Southwestern Law School and Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
Songbird Vanessa Williams sent the crowd home on a high note with a medley of musical hits.
The event put Cedars Sinai even further down the road to a cancer cure, raising $1.5 million for medical research and treatment.
DESERT DOINGS
Hollywood happenings move to the desert this week as Palm
Springs hosts its 19th annual International Film Festival. The movie showcase, which has taken off in recent years, features 230 films from 65 countries. Organizers held their starry awards gala last Saturday. Halle Berry was given the Desert Palm Award. Sean Penn received this year’s Director of the Year Award. Jerry Weintraub napped the SAG Foundation Patron of the Arts Award while the much buzzed about film “Juno” was given the Chairman’s Vanguard Award.
PICTURE THIS!
Two of Malibu Seen’s favorite art events are right around the corner. It all begins tonight at the Barker Hangar as shutterbugs and photo buffs gather for Photo LA. The annual expo is a visual delight, taking us through the history of the medium from the turn of the century to today’s edgy computer-enhanced images.
We’ll be back at the Hangar for the Los Angeles Art Show. The annual event is sponsored by the Fine Art Dealers Association and features the top-of-the-line paintings, sculptures and mixed media creations from 125 galleries around the world. The show kicks off with an opening night gala on Jan 23 and runs through Jan 27. Be there!