Usher at the 2006 ball
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
You know there's been a sea change in the event world when even a veteran of the social circuit like the Carousel of Hope decides to go entirely eco-friendly. At Tuesday's kickoff lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel, gala founder and social maven Barbara Davis announced that the benefit for children's diabetes is going with the ecological flow, from the decor to the gift-bag T-shirts, at its 30th anniversary event on October 25. The ball returns to its longtime home at the Beverly Hilton hotel, where Pauletta and Denzel Washington will receive honors; Sir Sidney Poitier, Quincy Jones, and Clive Davis will appear onstage; and Josh Groban and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will perform.
Also joining the entertainment lineup is someone who's “a fantastic surprise,” Davis said, wryly adding, “It's only a fantastic surprise because I'm waiting to see if they cancel.” M.C. Jay Leno, music director David Foster, and producer George Schlatter return for the umpteenth year. Mercedes-Benz, which will donate a car for the live auction, will be the presenting sponsor for the third year. Major sponsors include Guess Inc., American Airlines, Lifescan, Leviev, and the Beverly Hilton.
Also joining the entertainment lineup is someone who's “a fantastic surprise,” Davis said, wryly adding, “It's only a fantastic surprise because I'm waiting to see if they cancel.” M.C. Jay Leno, music director David Foster, and producer George Schlatter return for the umpteenth year. Mercedes-Benz, which will donate a car for the live auction, will be the presenting sponsor for the third year. Major sponsors include Guess Inc., American Airlines, Lifescan, Leviev, and the Beverly Hilton.
