LEEZA GIBBONS DARE2CARE PRE-OSCAR PARTY DELIVERS WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT, GLAMOUR AND GIVING BACK

A-Listers from Film, TV, Music, Sports and Fashion Show up to “Party for a Purpose”
And Raise Money For Charity

CLICK HERE to view photos from Dare2Care 2011!

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 3, 2011) – Leeza Gibbons and David Foster teamed up last Thursday evening to present Dare2Care, a pre-Oscar cocktail party at BOA on Sunset.  The sensational bash and “party with a purpose” raised funds to benefit the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and its signature program, Leeza’s Place.  On the event’s bustling red carpet, conversation changed from “what are you wearing” to “how are you caring” as the stars celebrated the importance of philanthropy and giving back. The evening’s entertainment featured performances by world renowned artists such as Grammy Award winning artist LeAnn Rimes, musical prodigy David Foster, Broadway star Eden Espinosa and singer/songwriter Chantelle Delaney.

The event hosted a bevy of Tinseltown’s most philanthropic celebrities including:  Celebrity guests included Leeza Gibbons, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hill Harper, David Foster, LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian, Chantelle Delaney, Fran Drescher, Jennifer Grey, Mario Lopez, Courtney Mazza, Lisa Vidal, Terrell Owens, Kathryn Joosten, Maria Menounos, Jackson Rathbone, Sean Toub, Dee Wallace, Diane Warren, Sue Wong, Eden Espinosa, Lance Bass, Luke Jacobz, Sharon Lawrence, Kate Linder, Carolyn Hennessy, Jess Sinclair and many more...

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT INCLUDED:

• Country music darling LeAnn Rimes got teary eyed during her set, exclaiming that in her long career the most important thing she’s learned is the importance of support and love and to not judge others for their mistakes.
  
  
• “Dancing with the Stars” champion Jennifer Grey presented Jamie Lee Curtis with the Caring Heart Award for continually championing important causes and lifting others through her example.
  
  
• Hill Harper was given the Empower Award for utilizing his celebrity to provide opportunities for the next generation by way of mentorship and scholarships.  Shortly after, Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles was granted the Leadership Award for 157 years of helping families suffering from debilitating circumstances like hunger and domestic violence.
  
  
• Event sponsors InStyler & Sheer Cover provided a “touch up lounge” for guests to get their make-up freshened up and gifted them with tons of free product.
  
  
• One lucky senior citizen from Brookdale Senior Living, named Clarita, had her dreams come true when she was invited to dance by one of the “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancers, a life goal for this deserving woman.  The duo danced to the music of an aspiring musician, Kristi Cawley, whose dream it was to have her demo heard by industry bigwigs.  The moment was made even more special when Clarita was surprised by her celebrity crush Mario Lopez who cut in and finished the dance.
  
  
• Leeza partnered with EXTRA and developer/philanthropist Rick Caruso to seek out Caruso’s Courageous Caregivers – family members who tirelessly devote their time and energy to someone they love dealing with a chronic illness.  Nominations were accepted online and the three winners were announced during the course of the evening, each of which was bestowed a medal for the way they “dare to care”.   Broadway star Eden Espinosa then took to the stage to serenade these women with the Broadway pop anthem “Defying Gravity” from the smash-hit musical “Wicked”- a poignant song about strength and never giving up.

 

 

Sponsors for the event included Variety, EXTRA, Patron, InStyler, Ultimat Vodka, Patron, Brookdale Senior Living, Sheer Cover, The W Residences, Tina & Rick Caruso, Lili & John Bosse, Cheryl & Haim Saban, Beny Alagem & The Beverly Hilton, and David Bohnett & Tom Gregory.