The Heart Foundation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center honored Motown Records founder Berry Gordy with a gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel on Saturday, where the draw was, appropriately, the music. More than 500 guests attended the event, which showcased Gordy’s impact on the entertainment industry through iconic images in the ballroom’s reception area (including a black-and-white photo of Gordy with Michael Jackson), and video tributes that included messages from Lionel Richie, Bill Cosby, and Magic Johnson.
The Heart Foundation’s director of operations, Catherine Erlinger, turned to AOO Events executive producer and creative director David Merrell to produce the entertainment-heavy evening. Debbie Allen choreographed a dance performed by her daughter, Vivian Nixon, and M.C. Mary Hart shared anecdotes on Gordy’s golf game with the audience. Two Lakers jerseys, signed by the current NBA team, netted $22,000 in a live auction in support of the foundation.Louis Price led off the evening’s musical performance portion (which began around 9 p.m.) with a medley of Motown hits, including “Baby I Need Your Loving” and “My Girl.” Thelma Houston joined him for a duet of “You’re All I Need to Get By,” before launching into her solo set, which featured “I Second That Emotion” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way.”
Former American Idol contestant Michael Johns sang “Easy” at Lionel Richie’s request, and Teena Marie left the stage to serenade Gordy at his table. Honorary dinner chair Sidney Poitier closed the evening when he presented Gordy with the Steven S. Cohen Humanitarian Award. Past recipients include Kirk and Anne Douglas, Norman R. Brokaw, and Marshall Ezralow.
The Heart Foundation’s director of operations, Catherine Erlinger, turned to AOO Events executive producer and creative director David Merrell to produce the entertainment-heavy evening. Debbie Allen choreographed a dance performed by her daughter, Vivian Nixon, and M.C. Mary Hart shared anecdotes on Gordy’s golf game with the audience. Two Lakers jerseys, signed by the current NBA team, netted $22,000 in a live auction in support of the foundation.Louis Price led off the evening’s musical performance portion (which began around 9 p.m.) with a medley of Motown hits, including “Baby I Need Your Loving” and “My Girl.” Thelma Houston joined him for a duet of “You’re All I Need to Get By,” before launching into her solo set, which featured “I Second That Emotion” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way.”
Former American Idol contestant Michael Johns sang “Easy” at Lionel Richie’s request, and Teena Marie left the stage to serenade Gordy at his table. Honorary dinner chair Sidney Poitier closed the evening when he presented Gordy with the Steven S. Cohen Humanitarian Award. Past recipients include Kirk and Anne Douglas, Norman R. Brokaw, and Marshall Ezralow.
The gala's live performances
Photo: Curtis Dahl/Dahl Photographers
Louis Price performed a medley of Motown hits.
Photo: Curtis Dahl/Dahl Photographers
Ballroom displays showed iconic images of Berry Gordy.
Photo: Curtis Dahl/Dahl Photographers
Bound tribute journals and arrangements of lavender hydrangeas dressed up tables.
Photo: Curtis Dahl/Dahl Photographers
Vivian Nixon performed a dance choreographed by her mother, Debbie Allen.
Photo: Curtis Dahl/Dahl Photographers
