Parties You Will Never Get Into

Technophiles everywhere turned out for the party heralding the release of Microsoft Office 2008, the specially designed version for Macintosh software. New wave sensation Devo entertained participants at the corporate bash in San Francisco’s The Warfield, their first gig in the venue since January 1981.

Sheridan Jones, manager of Microsoft’s Mac marketing team and an overt Devo fan, booked them for the party. A year before, Devo vocalist Mark Mothersbaugh, who is also a painter, tried to wheedle her into staging an exhibition at the 2008 Macworld Expo, of which the party is part. Instead, Jones lined up his band for a performance at the party on January 15, 2008.

Devo delivered a 16-song set that night, including such cuts as “Whip It” and “Beautiful World.” As expected, the band entered the stage wearing HAZMAT suits and their iconic red hats called “energy domes.” Many in the audience were wearing energy domes too, courtesy of Microsoft. As the gig wore on, the band swapped suits and headgear for a darker ensemble of shorts, knee-length socks, knee pads, and t-shirts.

Wild applauses aside, the loudest sounds to puncture the performance were the band’s signature ramblings about “devolution.” At the end of the show, Mark Mothersbaugh, putting on a Booji Boy mask, prodded the otherwise tech-savvy crowd to throw their laptops out the window.

Surely there were fans in the audience who understood. Earlier in the week, Microsoft had the foresight to make some tickets available to hardcore Devo fans for $40 apiece.

On the night of the event itself, Microsoft distributed gift bags containing freebies like card sets of DEVO imagery and t-shirts to the earliest 500 attendees. Before Devo left, fans and Microsoft employees alike were able to meet and greet the band and get autographs.

Limited-edition M&M candies with the Office insignia were passed around. The organizers even gave free iMacs.

Mac Blast! was part of a longer line of affairs in the 2008 Macworld Expo, where Steve Jobs unveiled laptop Mac Air.

Teen Vogue Magazine rounded up tomorrow’s biggest stars at LA’s County Museum of Art for the Sixth Annual Young Hollywood Party. Up-and-coming names as well as their more popular contemporaries trooped to the publication’s biggest shindig on September 18, 2008.

Disney was well represented in the crowd; High School Musical love-team Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens partied that night. Curiously missing however, was the teen queen herself, Miley Cyrus. But her alleged rival Selena Gomez was present, and so was Hannah Montana co-star Matt Prokop. Another Disney Channel talent, Brenda Song, also attended.

From the competition, Nickelodeon vaunted Miranda Cosgrove of iCarly. ABC also had Shawn Pyfrom of Desperate Housewives.

Not a few in the crowd were proxies of their more established parents. Tallulah, Scout, and Rumer Willis — offspring of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis — were present. Emma Roberts was also around to channel the superstar wattage of aunt Julia Roberts. Then again, Frances Bean Cobain bore the legacy of her father Kurt Cobain.

Siblings banded together at the affair, too. Singing sisters Aly and AJ came in identical dresses. Dylan and Cole Sprouse posed together at the red carpet. Also to be found were Danielle Panabaker and her sis Kay.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s other half, the tall looker Bar Refaeli, glowed in a gilded dress. Fellow model Erin Wasson opted to seduce onlookers with a sheer dress.

One of these ravishing partygoers could be the next screen legend: Sara Paxton, Jessica Lowndes, Nikki Reed, Keke Palmer, Victoria Justice, Brea Grant, Emilie de Ravin, Zelda Williams, Hayley Hasselhoff, Alexa Vega, Nora Zehetner, Shailene Woodley, Harley Viera-Newton, and Lily Cole.

There were dashing studs as well: Travis van Winkle, Justin Martin, Jackson Rathbone, Drew Seeley, Michael Steger, Ryan Eggold, and David Henrie.

In full force that evening was the Twilight entourage of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner.

Amy Astley, Teen Vogue Editor-in-Chief, moved around to check on the teen stars. She was accompanied by peers Jane Keltner, Fashion News Director; Aya Kanai, Senior Fashion Editor; and Jennifer Petrisko, Public Relations Director.

Vienna has always been the land of waltzes and balls like the highly prestigious Vienna Opera ball. Another similarly esteemed event is the Life Ball. Europe’s biggest AIDS non-profit event is an extravagant ball. Turning 16 on May 17, 2008, the revelry pegged its motto on futurism, billing it “Planet Life Ball.”

Otherworldly love was indeed the order of 2008’s event. Still the world’s only AIDS charity event held in a government building, Life Ball featured the Vienna City Hall in space-age décor, belying the building’s neo-Gothic facade. A galaxy of international stars attended the event, too.

Like every other year, Life Ball opened with a waltz, Strauss’ “G’schichten aus dem Wiener Wald.” Then in front of over 40,000 spectators, models and celebrities sashayed on the gigantic Red Ribbon-shaped runway, including X-Men actor Alan Cumming, Peaches Geldof, Lydia Hearst, and Academy Award winner Stefan Ruzowitzky. Agent Provocateur, UK’s lingerie brand, provided the skimpy clothes.

Blondie legend Debbie Harry, Jodie Watley, and the The Feeling belted their hits to the massive audience, while Chicks On Speed sang the official 2008 Life Ball anthem.

Other stars who peppered the opening program included amfAR chair and actress Sharon Stone and supermodel Linda Evangelista. Meanwhile, Kim Cattrall of Sex And The City presented the Swarovski-studded “Crystal of Hope” to CARE.

Over 4,000 partygoers thronged inside the city hall for the actual ball. Perfectprops, Section.d, and Pneumocell transformed the political building into a space vessel of sorts.

Inside, merrymakers played at a special lounge sponsored by Poker-Stars.de, with proceeds going to AIDS charities. Patricia Field, Sophie Ellis-Baxtor, and other stars partied the night away at the “Festsaal,” the VIP section that was illumined by sophisticated pillars of the light.

Guests packed the titanic dancefloor, Arkadenhof, as various DJs played to more crowds at Hof III, Wappensaal, and Stadtsenatssitzungsaal. Revelers enjoyed the world-famous Vienna coffee at the Meinl Coffee Lounge.

Organized annually by AIDS LIFE, Life Ball raised €1.4 million from the 2008 event alone. Since 1993, the yearly party has raised over €10 million.

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To mark her septuagenarian year, Spain’s elegant Queen Sofia had a music-filled night. Spaniards, led by her husband, King Juan Carlos, and a small band of European royals, greeted the monarch in festivities held in Madrid on November 2, 2008.

In the Spanish capital, the posh sovereign ushered her night with a ticket to a classical music performance by Indian-born prodigy Zubin Mehta.

Mehta, who hails from Mumbai, is apparently one of the Queen’s favorites. As a gift to the Queen, he capped the concert by leading the orchestra into a special rendition of “Happy Birthday,” played in no less than eight varieties. Afterwards, Queen Sofia received a special flower bouquet, amidst a standing ovation and resounding cries of “Viva la Reina!”

She exited the concert, which was held at the newly opened Albéniz Foundation hall in Madrid’s Plaza de Oriente, to the cheering and adulation of hundreds of her subjects. King Juan Carlos had been by her side the whole concert, and the royal couple proceeded to the Zarzuela Palace for her birthday feast.

Well-wishers of the Queen flew in from some of Spain’s neighboring kingdoms. They included Queen Noor of Jordan and King Simeon of Bulgaria. Princess Alexia of Greece was also there.

Her Majesty’s children were in full attendance, from Princess Elena to Prince Felipe to Princess Christina. Their spouses, Princess Letizia and Inaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma de Mallorca, were likewise present. Princess Pilar and Princess Mararita also paid tribute to the celebrant. Present too were some of the country’s most well-to-do commoners such as Paloma O’Shea, Farath Diba, and Maria Zurita.

Sofia is the queen consort of King Juan Carlos, whom she wed in 1962 as a newly baptized Catholic. She was born a Greek Orthodox as Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark on November 2, 1938.

Spaniards admire her for her considerable part in reinstating democracy after the collapse of Franco’s fascist government in 1975.

Fuchsia and pink heated New York City as its fashion, business, and showbiz authorities showed up in full support of a fundraiser by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Titled “Hottest Pink Party Ever,” the party ordered invitees to show up dressed in the color on April 8, 2008 at the Waldorf-Astoria.

Gwyneth Paltrow wore a fabulous outfit in the prescribed color. She was one of 1,200 faces who swarmed the hotel’s gathering, which was underwritten by the Hearst Corporation, Time Inc., Wrangler, and Condé Nast Publications.

Elizabeth Hurley, who is married to Indian entrepreneur Arun Nayar, donned a pink-tinged sari to the event. She also emceed it and publicly acknowledged BCRF Founder and Chairperson Evelyn Lauder.

She was all praises for Lauder, whom she called the “hottest gal of all.” Evelyn Lauder’s niece, Aerin Lauder Zinterhoffer, assisted her as she went onstage to give a speech. Aerin is Estée Lauder’s granddaughter.

BCRF’s Chairman of the Executive Board of Scientific Advisors, Dr. Larry Norton, also spoke to the assembly. He related his experiences as Director for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s breast cancer programs.

Sir Elton John brought the house down in a seismic show with his band. John’s mini-concert honored is good friend, the late Linda Stein. Stein was a member of the BCRF Advisory Board. John had partner David Furnish in tow.

The night’s other ostentatious guests included Project Runway winning designer Christian Siriano, and world class designers Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfiger, and Donna Karan.

BCRF also enticed David Alan Basche, Padma Lakshmi, Dee Ocleppo, Myra Biblowit, and Katrina Bowden to attend the important event. Television’s ambassadors included Deborah Norville, Carson Kressley, and celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito.

Celebrants left the gala with $5 million in funds raised for breast cancer research.

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In honor of three of Britain’s successful Formula 1 drivers, TAG Heuer threw a highbrow bash at The Mall in London on September 15, 2008. The event doubled as the opening to a photo exhibit commemorating more than half a century of British competitors in Formula 1 racing. Jean-Christophe Babin, TAG Heuer CEO and President, witnessed “Britain’s three motor racing greats” take center stage at the event.

Top racer Lewis Hamilton, currently the F1 championship leader, was the man of the moment. His older compatriots, Sir Stirling Moss OBE and Damon Hill OBE, also joined him in the limelight, where the three shared memories about the sport. At one point, Moss metaphorically advised Hamilton, “When it rains, the road shines and the grass doesn’t. Stay on the shiny thing.”

Lewis Hamilton is a spokesperson for the watch brand. Presently, TAG Heuer has aligned itself with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Hamilton’s winning team.

But TAG Heuer has been sponsoring Formula 1 long before Hamilton was born. In fact, the brand has a separate TAG Heuer Formula 1 range of timekeepers.

More than 400 were invited to give homage to the racers. Amidst a sea of F1 enthusiasts, there were the likes of model Natalia Vodianova, who came with husband Justin Portman, and Scream actress Neve Campbell.

Fashion’s glitterati also went to celebrate, like Welsh designer Julien Macdonald. Olivia Inge and Jade Parfitt, presenters at VogueTV, also mingled with the glamorous set.

Chronicles of Narnia heartthrob William Moseley kept the median age lower that day, in contrast with legendary Pink Floyd member Nick Mason. Kirsty Gallacher, Danny Cipriani, Tamara Beckwith, and Giorgio Veroni all sidled up to the party, too.

Proceeds from the TAG Heuer fête went to Save The Children, a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the lots of children the world over.

TAG Heuer has been making watches and chronographs since its founding in 1860 by Edouard Heuer.

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Divas, rappers, rockers, and most other musicians kept the night alive long after the 51st Grammy Awards winded down last February 8, 2009. Music makers, invited to the Awards or not, hopped around the vast party circuit in Los Angeles after Sunday’s ceremony.

Of the numerous after-parties, the official shindig was the one that transpired at the L.A. Convention Center, where Robin Thicke sang her soulful ditties. Patterned after Woodstock, the affair had celebrated Chef Wolfgang Puck in charge of the gastronomic feast, while hippies and fire-breathing dancers entertained guests.

But a different after party was taking place at Wolfgang Puck’s own restaurant in Beverly Hills. House of Hype/Island Def Jam and L.A. Reid invited Lionel Richie, Kanye West, Ryan Phillippe, Jesse McCartney, Young Jeezy, Benji Madden, and newfound Grammy winners Duffy and Estelle, over to the famous steakhouse.

Partygoers ran around in circles into the wee hours of February 9. Perennial partygoer Paris Hilton dropped by the Stand Up for a Cure affair hosted by EMI at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Joining her were the likes of Josh Madden, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Keith Urban, JC Chasez, Hilary Duff, Chris Tucker, and Kate Bosworth. Urban’s wife Nicole Kidman was also there.

Sony BMG had its own revelry at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Jennifer Aniston, John Mayer, Carrie Underwood, Clive Davis, Adele, Anthony Hamilton, T-Pain, and Sara Bareilles mingled with each other at the said party. As for the Universal Motown Records Group, Katharine McPhee, Lil Jon, Akon, and Colbie Caillat showed up at their affair at Whiskey Blue.

Grammy parties were not reserved for the record labels though. Ne-Yo organized his own affair at Social Hollywood, while Radiohead threw theirs at a mansion in Hollywood Hills. Maroon 5 attended the latter.

Neither could compare, however, with the star-studded function by Kings of Leon at the watering hole Teddy’s. Justin Timberlake and Ryan Reynolds, with their respective flames Jessica Biel and Scarlett Johansson, lent their presence to the party. Katy Perry arrived late while Slash chitchatted with Timberlake.

For 17 years now, singer Elton John has empathized with those who could not —and would not — attend the Academy Awards by giving them a first-class view to the ceremony outside the Kodak Theater. When the show is over though, those inside often gravitate towards John’s get-together.

Over 600 celebrities had to cough up $3,500 to gain admittance to the 2009 gala, held within an enormous tent at West Hollywood’s Pacific Design Center. The main purpose of the event is not to enrich the fabulously wealthy host, but to help his pet charity: the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Long-time AIDS advocate Sharon Stone was on hand to fundraise with the singer, who came with civil partner David Furnish. John, a British knight, was as much in good company with his countrymen as he was with the Americans that night.

Indian-British actor Ben Kingsley, the night’s other knight, openly raved about Slumdog Millionaire’s win. Fair Briton Kate Beckinsale was also there, together with power English couple David and Victoria Beckham. Other Brits that evening included Peter Andre and his wife Katie Price, pop star Natasha Bedingfield, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, and Scotsman Gerard Butler. On one spot, Simon Cowell rounded up his American Idol (AI) cohorts across the pond, namely Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, and AI winner Carrie Underwood.

John’s gala also drew Chace Crawford, Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria-Parker, Taye Diggs, Chris Noth, Quincy Jones, Josh Groban, Elle Macpherson, and Mary J. Blige.

Early attendees dined on a five-course meal while the Oscars beamed live on a huge screen. Chef Wayne Elias prepared the first-class fare, which included salad with smoked scamorza, tarragon vinaigrette and pomegranate reduction.

After the meal, there was an auction that promised to give bidders an hour of tennis with Andy Roddick; a trip for ten to an old castle in Normandy; Sharon Stone’s Corvette; and even the box on which Hugh Jackman stood for the Oscars overture. In the end, Vanity Fair’s after-party cast a shadow over the gala, with John dangling a ticket to the VIP event. The winning bidder paid $60,000 for it.

By night’s end, John had raised around $4 million. Thankful, he serenaded guests in a duet with R&B phenom Raphael Saadiq.

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Former child stars Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen came of age on June 13, 2008. Now 21, the twins were at last legally entitled to drink the booze that overflowed on their birthday party, held June 15 at their mansion in Beverly Hills.

It was full house for the soiree, with former workmates from their defunct sitcom Full House joining over 100 guests. Earlier, the twins hired security to keep tabs on paparazzi and gatecrashers, the street outside closed for good measure.

Friday’s celebration was exclusive to the likes of Kirsten Dunst, Olivier Martinez, Joaquin Phoenix as well as family and non-showbiz peers. Later in the evening, invitees lined up to give testimonials to the celebrants.

Near midnight, before the crowd, Ashley praised her twin sister, saying “No one could understand me the way you do. In fact, no one could even tolerate me the way you do!”

M-K and Ashley had a more sedate rite of passage on their actual birthday. They threw a dinner party at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood for friends and family, including their older brother Trent and younger sister Lizzie.

By 12 AM, the newly minted women had blown the candles on a duo of luxurious red velvet cakes. Not settling for these, the celebrators ordered decadent cupcakes, champagne, and wine to be passed around.

Like the June 15 celebration, the dinner involved guests paying tribute to the girls. The twins took Polaroid pictures of themselves throughout the night, while birthday presents and cards made their way to them.

Evidently, the dual celebrations marked a reprieve from their duties running the business empire known as Dualstar Entertainment Group, where Ashley is CEO. They had been running the company since January 2005, but the company itself has been around since they were six.

Dualstar initially sold Olsen-related merchandise to tweens; now it covers a grownup fashion range called the Row. Because of this, the Olsen twins, at age 10, became the youngest self-made millionaires in US history.

Back in January, master chef Robert Irvine and the crew of Dinner: Impossible occupied the kitchens of Yahoo! headquarters to launch a very unique celebration. Chef Irvine handed aprons to Search Senior Vice President Tuoc Luong and Vice President of Marketing Raj Gossain so they could help him in a daunting task: cook up the 15 top search queried dishes, with each dish using a randomly assigned ingredient that also appears on the top search queries. If that wasn’t tough enough, the food had to satisfy 450 very hungry Yahoo! employees.

The Food Network’s hit reality show Dinner: Impossible features Chef Robert Irvine taking on some very unusual culinary challenges. On every show, the chef is confronted with a very difficult assignment, such as preparing an authentic 18th century colonial meal, or setting up a luxury banquet on a isolated New England island.

Irvine and his team must whip up a multi-course meal with limited resources and no advance planning, and of course, with the clock ticking. The chef usually recruits additional sous chefs to not only help prepare and cook, but shop for the often hard-to-find ingredients.

When Chef Robert Irvine arrived on the Yahoo! campus, Yahoo! co-founder Jerry Yang was at hand to issue the search engine results/cook off challenge. The drafting of Tuoc Luong and Raj Gossain to help in the kitchen only added to the challenge; the two Yahoo! executives are more at home with algorithms and hi-tech marketing than slicing, dicing, and deep-frying.

The show was aired in April. Tuoc Long described the frantically made banquet on his blog: “…we can tell you two things – it wasn’t easy and we had a great time, which is exactly how we’d characterize the last five years at Yahoo! Search.”

The recipes included Pumpkin Lasagna, Salmon Cupcakes, Tuna Burger, Apple Sushi, Barbeque Carrots, Blackberry Aqua’s Fresca, Chicken Fried Rice, Egg Casserole, Eggplant Salad, Lamb Salsa, Lemon Egg Drop Soup, Peanut Butter Chili, Pineapple Cookies, and Potato Pizza.

The Flickr photos of the Yahoo! Fifth Birthday-Dinner Impossible Celebration.

The Food Network’s profile of the Dinner Impossible Yahoo! episode, with the recipes.