STARRY, STARRY NIGHT
It was smoking at the David Foster’s the other night and it wasn’t just the 99-degree heat. The red-hot summer fling was part of the Grammy Foundation’s Starry Night benefit. The evening drew an eclectic A-list crowd to be sure. Where else would you find Oprah and The Donald mixing it up with everyone from ZZ Top’s wild man Billy Gibbons to mild mannered Malibuite Dick Van Dyke?
Gussied up guests were greeted by a jazzy trio playing “The A Train” while servers made the rounds with baked artichoke hearts, wild mushroom tarts and tequila lime shrimp. Despite the rising temps, scenesters looked super-cool. In addition to sweet chiffon frocks and sleek summer shifts, pocket squares were all the rage. Eric Benet selected ice blue for the occasion, while Lou Adler sported a snazzy brown and white print to match his white knit cap, chocolate brown suit and white dress oxfords.
As we tucked into our dinner of chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, Grammy prez Neil Portnow lauded LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for providing high quality after-school programs and “for making a positive impact on kids of all ages.”
Accepting the Grammy Foundation’s Leadership Award, LA’s marathon mayor spoke from the heart saying “the kids in our city are the hope of our city and giving kids access to music is what the Grammy foundation is all about.”
And with that, cue the Gibson Baldwin Jazz Ensemble which grooved Manhattan Transfer style. Up next, our ever-gracious host welcomed us with the same I’ve-got-the-gate-clicker-so-you-can’t-leave joke he’s been making for years. But who’d want to? As always, the mega producer put on one heck of a show.
David brought out singing sensation Rene Olstead who got us in the mood with “A Sunday Kind of Mind.” Dave Koz gave us some great sax, Eric Benet was at his awesome best and Babyface sang “I’ll Make Love to You.” Speaking of love, we were asked to give it up for Dave, the guy “who never says no.”
Glancing up at the stars and towering eucalyptus trees, it got me thinking about the many magical nights I’ve spent on this celebrated tennis court with its makeshift stage. There was the time David trotted out some no-name called Josh Groban and said, “I’m telling ya Kim, this Groban kid is going to be big.” There was the time Dave surprised us with Cher, the night he treated us to an evening with Olivia and gave us smooth jazz courtesy of Kenny G. One time he lined up Donovan singing the ’60s anthem “Mellow Yellow.” On another occasion, it was ’50s icon Pat Boone in a not-so-mellow tangerine blazer.
I don’t know how many more musical extravaganzas David Foster will be hosting on this particular piece of pavement, but thanks for the music and the memories Dave. You’re the best!
Back on stage, Diane Warwick wrapped things up by taking us on a trip down memory lane.
It was another unforgettable evening brought to you by Malibu’s favorite music man. But the real high note on this steaming hot summer night? The awesome event scored $300,000 for the Foundation’s music education, preservation and advancement programs. Now that’s music to our ears!