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Even with the US presidential election tension, environmental worries
and hard news threatening to darken our psychological landscape,
there were bright spots in the summer calendar to remind us there
is still good in the world that will carry us through a summer of
our discontent and keep us enthralled until the Emmys and Oscars.
As July wound down, a thousand Angelenos and out-of-town visitors
celebrated summer and its official colour at the White Light, White
Night fundraiser at King Harbor in the fashionable LA neighbourhood
of Redondo Beach, South Bay. The exuberant fundraiser gala benefited
local non-profit Walk with Sally through an upscale spread of 24 local restaurants (including Ortega
120, Manhattan Beach’s Strand House, Hot’s Kitchen and Santa Monica’s
Brick & Mortar, among many others). The spread was itself the
ultimate summer barbecue, from sliders to food-truck tacos to gelato
and fresh seafood.
The event, sponsored by Momma Mia Worldwide for the second year
in a row, will be best remembered for its extensive bars staged
by Patron Spirits, a tony auction loaded with trips, cars and other
covetable prizes, and a live performance by Smashmouth, mixing their
own quintessentially California hits with covers from their favourite
band, Van Halen, who defined the California party vibe a generation
ago.
In a sea of white, guests and patrons who came to the event from
all over the US sampled incredible food, as well as hit the various
bars for a bespoke margarita or an opportunity to craft their own
mojito. ‘Each year, White Light, White Night share the stories
of hundreds of children in Los Angeles who get lost in the mix when
a loved one is diagnosed with cancer,’ reflected Nick Arquette,
founder of Walk with Sally. ‘This event gives those children
a voice and allows charity to fund existing and new friendships
with mentors. Without the support of our community, we would not
be able to impact those children’s lives the way we’ve been doing
during the last five years.’
Walk with Sally is dedicated to providing mentoring support programmes
and services to children of parents or siblings with cancer, one
child at a time, one heart at a time. It is committed
to providing healing and comfort to children debilitated by the
emotional experience of living with or losing a parent or sibling
to cancer. This healing is facilitated free of charge, providing an emotionally safe environment
for children to share their difficult experience with someone who
has suffered the same.
The White Light, White Night event had previously raised
more than $150,000 for Walk with Sally, while the 2012 event went on to smash that record. ‘This
year, Walk with Sally’s goal was to raise $250,000 in order to serve
the more than 200 children in Los Angeles,’ says Arquette. ‘By
next year, we hope to increase mentor relationships by 30 per cent and open
a new Walk with Sally centre.’
continued below
While White Light, White Night appealed to the sophisticated career
set, the Teen Choice Awards 2012, staged at the Gibson Amphitheater
on the Universal Studios back lot, was right on trend with what
tastemakers between ages 10 and 21 were buzzing about. The award
show, seen on the Fox network, produced by Bob Bain, Michael Burg, Paul
Flattery and Kelly Brock, was preceded by a gifting suite designed
by Josh Johnson, in his signature “livable luxe” motif,
pairing affordable elegance and functional practicality. This year’s “celebrity retreat” was not just
a gifting suite, but a “giving suite”. The stars were invited
to give to their favourite charities as well as receive sponsor
gifts.
The Teen Choice Awards, hosted by Demi Lovato and Kevin McHale, celebrated
the hottest teen icons in TV, music, film, sports, fashion, comedy
and the internet. Presenters and guests included Miley Cyrus, Ashley
Benson, Cat Deeley, Zooey Deschanel, Ellen DeGeneres, Zac Efron,
Selena Gomez, Josh Hutcherson, Lea Michelle, Shay Mitchell, Gordon
Ramsay, and Taylor Swift, and featured live performances by Justin Bieber, Flo Rida,
No Doubt and DJ Pauly D.
There were several assorted charities present and Mobli, an online
photo and video sharing community, built to bring people
together around common interests, donated $30,000.
While at the celebrity retreat gift suite, we met and interviewed
No Doubt drummer Adrian Young, who also stated he is a supporter of
the giving suite, supporting the Stomp out Bullying charity.
The Stomp out Bullying charity got a boost from
the Wonka Nerds Unite movement, helping the organization reach
the goal of 10,000 nerds united against bullying. When the goal of 10,000 nerds showing their pride is
reached, the candyman will donate $25,000 to Stomp out Bullying.
City of Hope also donated $17,000 worth of toys and games from Blingles,
Tatoo Bandz, Hasbro Games and Furby. The Office
Depot announced a partnership with Lady Gaga’s Born this Way Foundation
that encourages youth to feel confident about their individuality.
Other brands at the suite included Blingles by Moose Toys, Marchon Eyewear, Lena
Jewellery, North Shore Goodies, Ryka, and Iijin shoes. • |
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In a sea of white, guests and patrons who came to the event from all over the US sampled incredible food, as well as hit the various bars for a bespoke margarita or an opportunity to craft their own mojito
Elyse Glickman, US west coast editor of Lucire, contributed to this story.
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