It’s the season for giving, and no one knows how to put together a fundraising party better than Hollywood. Here are the Haute 5 Charity Galas of the season:
9.02.10 Beverly Hills Celebration Event
Commemorating the calendar date that matches BH’s famous zip code, this event on September 2—opening the week-long Taste of Beverly Hills and benefiting the Beverly Hills Education Foundation—will be hosted by Larry King and include a Wolfgang Puck appearance and performance by Natasha Bedingfield (above). Not to mention food from Bazaar, Bouchon, Crustacean, Drago, Mr. Chow and more. On the roof of the Robinsons-May parking structure.
Robinsons-May is located at 9900 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills
PETA’s 30th Anniversary Gala and Humanitarian Awards
You can certainly expect Hollywood to turn out in force for PETA’s fundraising celebration at the newly refurbished Palladium, hosted by Alec Baldwin and Ingrid E. Newkirk on September 25. After all,their legendary campaigns have featured Pamela Anderson (above), Sir Paul McCartney, Alyssa Milano, Dita Von Teese and Charlize Theron among many others. Musical performances, a vegan dinner and an unorthodox silent auction are among the night’s planned highlights.
The Hollywood Palladium is located at 6215 West Sunset Boulevard
Back to the Future 25th Anniversary Hollywood Gala
Culminating an impressive week-long fan convention commemorating the silver jubilee of this iconic film, on Friday, November 12, there will be a recreation of the “Under The Sea” dance at the original location (the Hollywood United Methodist Church gymnasium), with attendance by many original cast members and crew, with all proceeds going to star Michael J. Fox’s Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research.
The Hollywood United Methodist Church is located at 6817 Franklin Avenue, 323.874.2104
Savor The Season benefiting Break the Cycle
Those for whom the Rhianna/Chris Brown incident still resonates will respond strongly to Break the Cycle’s work to prevent and end domestic violence among youth (they say one of every three teens in the US experiences dating violence). This gourmet event on October 10, with global cuisine by Chef Gary Arabia, benefits that cause.
The Lot Studios is located at 1041 North Formosa Avenue, West Hollywood
Love Ride benefiting Autism Speaks
While not a traditional gala, the always celeb-heavy Harley Davidson Love Ride has become far more exclusive this year. After growing to an event attracting an almost unmanageable 25,000 riders, the organizers skipped the annual ride last year. Now, on November 7, they’re bringing it back, but limiting it to the first1000 lucky, and dedicated riders. The Tonight Show’s Jay Leno will once again be Grand Marshal, Peter Fonda and the Doors’ Robby Krieger have committed, one of Bruce Springsteen’s guitars will be auctioned and no doubt a tribute to former Grand Marshal, the late Dennis Hopper, will be included in the proceedings. Other celebrities involved in past Love Rides have included Dwight Yoakam, Kirstie Alley, Pamela Anderson, Charlie Sheen, Larry Hagman, Ann-Margret, Judd Nelson, Mary Hart, Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Jenner, ZZ Top, Dennis Haskins and even Pat Boone.
Harley-Davidson of Glendale is located at 3717 San Fernando Road, Glendale, 818.246.5618
