The entire Los Angeles Clippers team and the current Super Bowl MVP, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, were on hand for honors at the 31st annual Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular Gala at the W Hotel in Beverly Hills. Kevin Frazier, John Salley, and Jim Hill hosted the event, with local band Ozomatli performing.
Sports Spectacular Foundation had the vision of linking world-class athletes and medical research to advance healthier futures for all. So far, they have raised over $25 million for Cedars’ Diabetes & Wellness Center. A spectacular sum indeed!
Singing lawyers and judges? You bet! L.A.’s only Legal Orchestra, the L.A. Lawyers Philharmonic, harmonized to help veterans and homeless families at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Under the baton of their Founder-Conductor, Gary S. Green, Esq., they performed selections from “South Pacific” and “Guys & Dolls” to a standing ovation. Actor Ed Asner narrated “The Impossible Dream;” and singer-dancer Carol Lawrence included members of the audience in a hilarious routine from the musical “Top Hat.” Everyone enjoyed 16-year-old local soprano, Golda Berkman, who sang Puccini’s beloved aria, “Un Bel Di,” from “Madame Butterfly,” which is currently being presented by the L.A. Opera.
Speaking of Carol Lawrence, she was the honoree at last year’s Gypsy Awards.
This year, you will have the opportunity to meet Paula Abdul at the 29th annual Professional Dancer’s luncheon on Sunday, April 24 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. We have attended this fab event for many years and guarantee a most exciting and entertaining afternoon. A special tribute will be paid to prior honoree Dick Van Dyke; and two famed choreographers, Kevin Carlisle and Carl Jablonski.
A slew of stars are always in attendance, including Professional Dancers Society Prez, Mitzi Gaynor, Florence Henderson, and the still gorgeous Ann Margaret. We even had the pleasure of meeting the original “Gigi,” Leslie Caron who jetted in from Paris for the occasion. For further info and to purchase tickets, call 310.278.5222 or check out their website at www.professionaldancerssociety.org.
Funds received benefit the PDS Emergency Relief Fund and the Actor’s Fund of America. Hope to see you there!