SPRINTING OFF TO 2012
The numbers are in and they’re impressive indeed. The annual Race to Erase MS gala raised a whopping $2 million for Nancy Davis and her Center Without Walls foundation. Nancy and her high-profile pals are already busy planning for 2012, but that hasn’t kept everyone from talking about the latest and greatest soiree.
Malibu supermodel Cindy Crawford stepped out at this year’s event along with neighbors like “Sideways” star Virginia Madsen and Hawaiian songbird Tia Carrere. They joined famous faces like Ed Begley, Jr., Jon Lovitz, Sela Ward, Garcelle Beauvais and Sugar Ray Leonard at the Century Plaza Hotel.
Celebutant Paris Hilton looked her glitzy best in a champagne beaded bodice, Nancy was pretty in pink, while mom Barbara went classic in basic black.
Since the theme was “Rock & Royalty,” one could only expect a regal affair. The well-clad crowd was greeted by Prince William and his new bride, Kate (or at least their spot-on celebrity look-alikes). Naturally, the British lovebirds came decked out in their wedding finery. To really make a statement, you could even snap up a piece of Kate-inspired wedding attire courtesy of knock-off king Allen Schwartz. After waltzing down the red carpet, Paris posed with a pair of traditional English royal guards, fuzzy hats and all.
The festivities kicked off with an elbow-to-elbow silent auction. Designer bags, colorful artwork and buckets of bling touched off a bidding frenzy. After an ice-cold glass of bubbly and a bite or two, it was showtime.
In keeping with tradition, the program opened with a flashy fashion show featuring a sneak peak at the new Andrew Charles collection. Celebrity strutters hit the runway in bold animal prints and red-hot minis.
Next came the live auction where bidders jumped at the chance to win an awesome African safari, set sail on a posh private yacht and book a stylish shopping spree with the Hilton sisters themselves.
After a successful round of bidding, the crowd was ready to rock. The ballroom turned into a blast from the past as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts took the stage.
You didn’t need to “put another dime in the jukebox” because Joan was happy to belt out hits like “I Love Rock N’ Roll,” “Crimson and Clover,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Do You Wanna Touch Me” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You.”
The program switched gears as country music king Clay Walker delighted fans with “Lonely Long,” “Honky Tonk” and “Cold Hearted.”
The evening ended with everyone up on stage, crooning the Bill Withers classic “Lean on Me.”
The feel-good cause is now in its 18th year and there’s no doubt they’ll have someone to lean on for many, many years to come.