Austrian capital hosts flamboyant AIDS charity gala

VIENNA, Austria: Party crowds — among them people with pierced nipples, globs of glitter and costumes that were sometimes nothing more than body paint — descended upon Vienna's city hall for a flamboyant gala aimed at raising money to fight AIDS.

Actress Sharon Stone, model Nadja Auermann and the band Scissor Sisters were among a slew of celebrities who took part in Saturday night's extravagant 15th annual event, known as the Life Ball. Last year's bash raised more than €1.1 million (US$1.5 million).

The opening ceremony, which drew an estimated 40,000 spectators, included a fashion show, live music acts, dancing ice skaters and emotional speeches by Stone and Life Ball founder and organizer Gery Keszler.

"Celebrate life — and think about why we're all here," Keszler told an enthusiastic crowd gathered in the square in front of the city hall.

Stone, a representative of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of HIV/AIDS research, focused on the power of love in her address.
"It's very important for us to remember that the AIDS and HIV situation is a situation that began from love, and it's a situation that will end with love," Stone said, adding there was a "tremendous amount of controversy" surrounding the deadly disease.

"We have to constantly remind ourselves and others that there is no shame that love cannot cure; there is no hatred, no controversy and no walls that cannot come down when faced with the power of love and dignity," Stone added, as the crowd cheered.

Acclaimed British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood presented a €100,000 (US$135,000) prize — known as the "Crystal of Hope" — to Adrine Sagi Namusoke, a representative of the "Youth-to-Youth" — or Y2Y — project in Uganda. The program, an initiative of the German Foundation for World Population, aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health of young people.

"In my country, over 1.1 million of Ugandans are suffering from HIV/AIDS ... the epidemic has left thousands of orphans and many of them require financial and moral support," Namusoke said.

With music blasting, swimming stars Markus Rogan of Austria and Aaron Peirsol of the United States were among those who strutted down the catwalk — in the shape of a red AIDS ribbon — in clothes designed by Traver Rains and Richie Rich, the New York fashion duo known as Heatherette.

Another highlight was an appearance by model Auermann.

The Austrian postal service dedicated a stamp in Auermann's honor on occasion of the Life Ball, with part of the proceeds going to charity.

"It's a beautiful stamp and I hope lot's of letters will be written — love letters," Auermann said, adding she was engaged in the fight against AIDS because it continued to be "a big problem."

"Even if one is young and in love, one should still think about the consequences," Auermann said.

Following the opening ceremony, only about 4,000 ticket holders were allowed inside the city hall to party until dawn throughout the sprawling building.

Guests could take their pick from an array of different bars, lounges, live music acts and dance floors. There was even a "wedding chapel" where couples — regardless of their sexual orientation — could say "I do." At least for the night.
source:/www.iht.com