Superstar VIPs ensure KMA Power of Love Gala firsts for biggest, best to date
June 2, 2015 by admin
Filed under Lingerie Events
Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Honoree Gloria Estefan, Keep Memory Alive founder Larry Ruvo and honoree Emilio Estefan Jr. speak onstage during the 18th annual Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love Gala” benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health honoring the Estefans on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015 | 2 a.m.
2014 ‘Power of Love’ Gala
Launch slideshow »
2014 ‘Power of Love’ Arrivals and Gala
Launch slideshow »
It’s one of the most spectacular and star-studded charity events of the Las Vegas calendar, and this year‘s 19th Annual Power of Love Gala has outdone itself as the best yet with some extraordinary firsts.
Far more than a party, it’s a celebration of life that was created to raise money for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s programs and services. It’s the first time that star chefs Giada De Laurentiis and Wolfgang Puck have teamed up for an exquisite feast of wondrous wines and creative cuisine.
It’s the first time that singer Andrea Bocelli will be honored and entertain guests with a full orchestral concert led by “The Beatles’ Love” at Mirage director Greg Phillinganes.
Greg was the keyboard artist and director for the 2013 Power of Love Gala with honorees Quincy Jones and Sir Michael Caine. Here’s a YouTube video of their 80th birthday celebration and Stevie Wonder’s rendition of “Happy Birthday” with Whoopi Goldberg.
It’s the first time that Celine Dion will sing again in Las Vegas after she temporarily relinquished her residency at Caesars Palace to care for her husband and former manager, Rene Angelil, during his battle with throat cancer.
It’s the first time since their powerful emotional concert in New York’s Central Park in September 2011 that they will duet during the gala. Here’s a YouTube video of that monumental night.
It’s the first time that music stars Suzanne Somers, our Westgate Las Vegas headliner, and Robin Thicke, a Las Vegas regular, will attend the glittering red carpet. Numerous other celebrities will attend the gala Saturday, June 13, at MGM Grand Garden Arena, including Quincy, past honoree Gloria Estefan, country queen Martina McBride and jazz king George Benson, all of whom also will perform; Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds; Kris Kristofferson; Siegfried Roy; Steve Schirripa; and Clint Holmes.
“I am really excited to perform at this year’s Power of Love Gala honoring Andrea and Veronica Bocelli,” said Robin. “Keep Memory Alive’s work in raising awareness for brain health is so important, and I’m happy to help support them.”
It also is the first time that the luxurious auction that raises valuable funds for research programs at the clinic will include packages from Andrea and Virgin Atlantic chief Sir Richard Branson. Andrea and KMA founder Larry Ruvo have donated an extraordinary trip to the singer’s home in Italy.
“Shark Tank” star and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has donated his private 767 jet to fly the winning bidder and a guest along with seat mates Reba McEntire, The Band Perry, David Foster and others to Pisa, Florence, Rome and Andrea’s estate in Forte dei Marmi for an exclusive concert.
Sir Richard is donating a week’s stay at his private paradise, the 74-acre Necker Island luxury hideaway in the British Virgin Islands. He spent $10 million and three years to turn it into one of the world’s most exclusive resorts with a 10-bedroom, Balinese-styled villa, two private beaches, personal chefs and staff of 100.
It costs $65,000 a day to rent the place for your own vacation. Necker Island has played host to everybody from the late Princess Diana to Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet and supermodel Kate Moss to the late South African Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela.
Quincy Jones and Sir Michael Caine
Stevie Wonder and Whoopi Goldberg
Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
Other celebrities are donating auction packages: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff are providing private tennis lessons and a matchup; MGM Grand headliner David Copperfield is inviting four people to his Bahamas retreat at Musha Kay; celebrity chef Michael Mina is taking a group of eight on a fishing expedition; architect Frank Gehry will build a custom-designed playhouse; and Victoria’s Secret lingerie models are donating two front-row seats for their next fashion show.
Caesars headliner Mariah Carey will invite two people backstage for a meet-and-greet after watching her Caesars show; Carlos Santana and Nickelback have donated autographed guitars from their collections; Zappos chief Tony Hsieh is hosting a lunch in downtown; VIP TV producer Norman Lear will host a Beverly Hills luncheon; and the cast of “American Idol” will welcome two guests to this final season’s finale. Additionally, Cirque du Soleil will let two people choose among “The Beatles’ Love,” “Mystere” and “Zarkana” to appear onstage as made-up cast.
Larry commented: “Look at the miracle that has been created. We’ll see 25,000 patient visits this year. We’ve expanded beyond Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s, Multiple System Atrophy and other horrific brain-health diseases.
“If it were not for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center, many of our fellow citizens would have to travel far out of town for treatment and care. I cannot say enough about the high quality of doctors and researchers who have moved here to lend their skills and knowledge to the work of the clinic.
“I am convinced that the cure will be found here. This time it’s a case of what happens in Vegas will benefit the entire world. I am also so very proud of our caregiver program, which is one of the best in the world sharing with the families how important the caregiver is. A special thank you to the celebrities, chefs and wine and spirits suppliers and donors for making it all possible.
“Nineteen years ago when we had a memorial dinner for my dad who died from Alzheimer’s, it was just 35 people with John Paul DeJoria. The following year at our first dinner at Spago with Wolfgang Puck launching Keep Memory Alive, we had 140 people. Now we’ve grown to well over 1,200 who support us. We’d like to have 1,500 in the arena for this year’s gala, so we still have some tickets to sell.
“It’s going to be one of our greatest shows. To have Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion singing together for Keep Memory Alive will be one of the all-time highlights of Las Vegas entertainment history — and all to benefit our brain center. It speaks volumes about what Las Vegas has achieved.”
Even in Las Vegas, which has made worldwide headlines with its star-studded festivals and events, the annual Power of Love Gala tops the lot with this annual tradition of the biggest and best signature celebrity event.
Tickets are available at KeepMemoryAlive.org for the 5:30 to 11 p.m. event at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Email PowerofLove@KeepMemoryAlive.org with questions.
A special Philanthropic Community Leader Award will be presented during the gala to attorney Peter Bernhard, former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission under four governors.
Larry commented: “Peter has been my friend and attorney for over 30 years. A Harvard graduate who grew up in Las Vegas, he has a tremendous success story, and in my life I know of nobody with more ethics.
“He has been with us from the beginning of Keep Memory Alive, seen us through our trials and tribulations. He’s recognized as an incredible man who has helped us in so many ways.”
Robin Leach of “Lifestyles of the Rich Famous” fame has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past 15 years giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Sun Entertainment + Luxury Senior Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
MGM Grand, a AAA Four Diamond resort, offers 5,044 rooms and suites. MGM Grand features KÀ by Cirque du Soleil; Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club; and world-class entertainment at the Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood Theatre. The resort offers signature restaurants by celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar Grill and Michelin three star and Forbes Five Star restaurant, Joël Robuchon. As part of its ongoing “Grand Renovation,” MGM Grand has remodeled all rooms and suites in its main tower and is adding several new experiences to its lineup including Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub, a new upscale dining/nightlife concept (coming in April 2013). MGM Grand also features a state-of-the-art, non-smoking conference center, the Grand Spa, Cristophe Salon, “CSI: The Experience” and an inviting pool complex featuring the tantalizing daylife of Wet Republic. Upscale accommodations include The Mansion, an exclusive hotel within the hotel; the luxurious two-story SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand; and The Signature at MGM Grand, a luxury all-suite, non-gaming hotel located adjacent to the main resort.
