| NEWS 09.30.08 3:36 PM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| YouthAIDS Benefit Gets Rock 'n' Roll This Year With Graffiti, Tattoos, and John Mellencamp |
|
 |
Last year's Bollywood-themed benefit brought a 30-foot inflatable elephant, Indian-patterned tent fabric, and custom-made turbans to the Ritz Carlton. The event raised $1.5 million for YouthAIDS.
Photo: Eric Powell for BizBash
|
|
|
Children’s graffiti normally isn’t found on the walls of the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner's grand ballroom, but for this year’s YouthAIDS benefit on Friday, guests will find exactly that. The event, dubbed “The Power of Music,” is enlisting the help of graffiti artist turned fashion designer Claw Money, who worked with local kids through a nonprofit called Words, Beats & Life to create large panels of graffiti which will be hung over black velvet draping in the ballroom.
“Graffiti has always been closely tied to music,” YouthAIDS deputy director Marshall Stowell said today. The musical theme will be hard to miss—not only will a large tour bus and a fake punk band be parked outside the hotel’s entrance, but tattoo stations, rock and roll-themed drinks, and Rock Band video game stations will be set up throughout the reception and auction areas.
Stowell, who is overseeing the event, explained that YouthAIDS has always used music to reach at-risk populations. “Many people in the 60 countries where we operate are illiterate or of low-literacy,” he explained. “We bring in DJs and street music and dance to educate them on the HIV risk and direct them to clinics.”
Other than the panels of graffiti, the ballroom, designed by David Tutera again this year, will feature low-hanging industrial lightbulbs over the dance floor and Lucite cubes and simple floral arrangements on the tables. The evening’s after-party, called “In the Band Suite,” will again feature members of the faux punk band, this time lounging on a bed amongst scattered lingerie, pizza boxes, and empty Jim Beam bottles in the hotel’s Old Dominion room.
The event, which we recently named one of Washington's Top 100 Events, boasts a strong V.I.P. list, with Ashley Judd hosting, Sharon Osbourne as the M.C., and honorees like Annie Lennox and Judy McGrath, the C.E.O. of MTV. YouthAIDS announced late last week that John Mellencamp, whom Stowell calls “an activist in his own right,” will be the evening’s featured entertainer.
—Claire Hoffman
RELATED TOPICS
YouthAIDS, John Mellencamp, Ashley Judd, Sharon Osbourne
MORE NEWS STORIES
Poll Results: 2010 Event Budgets Look Bigger
Australian Nonprofit Uses Facial Hair for Guerrilla Cause Marketing
In the News: Waterford Recommits to New Year's Bash, Magazine Events Thrive and Falter
Poll Results: Fewer Scrooges for 2009 Holiday Party Season
BizBash Expo Sees Busier Attendees, Industry Newbies, Vets Pondering Next Move
MORE STORIES ABOUT YOUTHAIDS
Washington's Top Benefits 2009
Disco, Rock, and '80s Pop Influence Entertainment, Menus, and Decor
YouthAIDS Gala Trashes the Ritz-Carlton (Sort of)
MORE STORIES ABOUT ASHLEY JUDD
Washington's Top Benefits 2008
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Corporations and other organizations have an opportunity unavailable anywhere else: to co-host a reception or dinner adjacent to highly acclaimed exhibitions that tell the story of the American people. Such exhibitions as "The Star-Spangled Banner," "The American Presidency," "Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life," and "First Ladies" feature artifacts that include Thomas Jefferson’s lap desk, George Washington’s uniform, Julia Child’s kitchen, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, and thousands more! More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Washington Talent, Photo & Video
Washington Talent, Photo & Video is proud to celebrate its 40th year of business! It offers the most reputable selection of bands, DJs, photographers, videographers, event decor specialists, novelty activities, portrait stations, interactive robots, specialty dancers, and more, all working in the D.C./Baltimore area. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
GEP Washington
In a town built on leadership, GEP Washington is D.C.’s top destination management company—the only one that designs and manages special events with style, expertise, and unyielding attention to our clients’ bottom line. Allow GEP Washington to enhance your meeting by introducing your attendees to the most exciting locations and experiences that reflect the distinctive character of the nation’s capital. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
