PictureLux on the red carpet report: 18th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party
Elton John and David Furnish hosted the 18th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party following the Oscars Award show at Pacific Design Center on Sunday, March 7, 2010.
Throughout it's 18 years, the event has hosted some of the biggest stars in film, television and music. This year was no exception with celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, Stacey Dash, The Jonas Brothers, Adam Levine, Alan Cumming, Allison Iraheta (American Idol), Apolo Ohno, Betty White, Chace Crawford, Christina Hendricks, Cory Monteith (Glee), Debi Mazar, Eric & Janet McCormack, Gina Gershon, Hayden Panettiere, Heidi Klum, J.C. Chasez, Jason Mraz, Jeremy Piven, Joaquin Phoenix, John Waters, Josh Groban, K.D. Lang, Kimora Lee, Lea Michele (Glee), Liam Hemsworth, Matthew Morrison (Glee), Michelle Rodriguez, Milla Jovovich & Paul W. S. Anderson, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Richie & Joel Madden, Ricki Lake, Rob Lowe, Ryan Kwanten, S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order), Sam Trammell (True Blood), Selena Gomez, Serena Williams, Sharon & Kelly Osbourne, Simon Cowell, Slash, Tim Allen, Victoria Beckham, in attendance.
Guests arrived for the Academy Award Viewing party to a custom-built tent adorned in hues of red and tangerine, a decor inspired by designer Antony Todd's travels. Chef Wayne Elias of Crumble Catering prepared an exquisite five-course meal including dishes such as Risotto Carnaroli with saffron liquorice and king prawns and "Wahoo" with black olives, pine nuts, fresh herbs and stewed lentils. As is tradition, immediately following dinner, auctioneer Jamie Niven of Sotheby's led the evening's live auction.
Unlike the other parties around town after the Oscars, Sir Elton’s party is a fundraiser meant to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation which, in turn, funds other needy AIDS research programs. According to Rogers and Cowan, the evening was great success and managed to raise $3.7 Million for the Foundation
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was established in the United States in 1992 by Sir Elton John. EJAF's U.S. office is located in New York City. In 1993, Sir Elton also established the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF-UK) in the United Kingdom, headquartered in London. These two organizations function as separate entities with their own distinct grant- making portfolios, but both pursue similar missions - to support innovative HIV prevention
programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Collectively, the two organizations have raised over $150 million since inception in support of projects in 55 countries around the world, including significant funding dedicated to programs in their respective home countries. (photo © 2010 Joe Martinez/PictureLux)
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