Lupus L.A. held its Orange Ball, an annual gala to raise funds for awareness and research of the disease, on Thursday night at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel. And wouldn't you know the decor palette was orange?
“Lupus is branded by the color orange. The same way breast cancer is pink, we embrace orange,” said Linda David, the organization’s executive director. To execute the theme, an orange carpet beckoned arrivals, the main dining room featured warm lighting and a stage with orange scrims, and tables had edible centerpieces with orange accents.
CSI: Miami’s Eva La Rue hosted the program, and Bollywood-style dancers performed a dance to "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire to open the event.
Awards went to two honorees: Nancy Utley, chief operating officer for Fox Searchlight Pictures, and Grammy-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager. Presentations about the disease and speeches from Lupus patients ran throughout the night, followed by a live auction.
The program concluded with a performance by Toni Braxton, who sang hits like "Another Sad Love Song" during a 20-minute set. Guests left with gift bags filled with DVDs from sponsor Fox Searchlight Pictures, including Slumdog Millionaire.
The event raised an estimated $600,000.
