Parties You Will Never Get Into

Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences inaugural Governor’s Awards was held Saturday, Nov. 14 and all the biggest stars came out for the event.

The dinner awards career Oscars so it doesn’t have to be done on the televised version, which airs March 7 this year. The exclusive banquet for about 500 academy members was held in a ballroom near the Kodak Theater.

Some of the big names present were Ron Howard, Jack Nicholson, Lauren Bacall, Kirk Douglas and Warren Beatty.

The event was closed to most media, and only a handful of reporters were present.

Read all about decades-old celebrity secret crushes and what prompted this quote: “It’s O.K.,” he said. “It’s over now. You’re safe.”

The investment bank Goldman Sachs Inc. announced to its employees yesterday that is will not be hosting a corporate party this holiday season.

Reports say it’s an attempt to lower the profiled of the company, which has been criticized for paying bug bonuses this year. It’s particularly a point of contention due to the high unemployment rate (10.2 percent) and the recession.

It’s either smart, transparent or very Scrooge-like.

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner walked the red carpet in Paris recently for a photocall for “New Moon,” the second movie in the Twilight series.

Kristen and Rob are keeping the rumors churning about whether or not there really is an off-screen romance between the two stars.

People.com has complete Kristen, Rob and “New Moon” coverage here. And see hot photos of the stars promoting the new movie from around the world here.

“New Moon” opens in the U.S. on Nov. 20, 2009.

First Lady Michelle Obama paid a visit to Sesame Street Tuesday, Nov.3 to mark the children show’s 40th anniversary.

She reportedly chatted with Elmo and Big Bird and demonstrated how to plant vegetables in an outdoor garden.

Watch the video here!

Last night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Latino and Latina stars came out for the 10th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards.

The biggest night in Latin music was marked by performers, distinguished winners and impressive special effects.

Puerto Rican duo Calle 13, who swept all five of their nominations in taking home Record and Album Of The Year, Best Urban Music Album, Best Alternative Song, and Best Short Form Music Video, were the big winners of the night.

Click here for a full list of winners. View photos from the exclusive event here.

According to Grammy.com, one poignant moment came when Enrique Iglesias introduced 2009 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Juan Gabriel, describing him as a “true superstar in a time with very few superstars.” Iglesias then entire arena into a singing and dancing frenzy.

Also view a gallery of one of our favorites, Eva Longoria.

Twenty-three-year-old singer Lady GaGa, not well-known for her conservative attire or opinions, drew stares Monday night with a hat that resembled a cocoon at the the Accessories Council Excellence Awards in New York.

The black lace veil accompanied a rather interesting outfit that included a pink bra over a long sleeved black shirt, shiny hotpants, fishnet stockings and, of course, heels.

Read more and see pictures here.

Needless to say, Lady GaGa was not a recipient of an accessory award this year.

Some of the biggest names in music gathered for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concerts last week, Oct. 29 and 30 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The two concerts included performances by U2, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Simon and Garfunkel, Metallica, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Crosby, Stills Nash and Friends, Eric Clapton and many more.

BACARDI, one of the most internationally recognized rums and official spirit sponsor of the concert, showed its support for the program by asking the performers to sign commemorative bottles of BACARDI Reserva Limitada rum, an ultra-premium rum aged between 10 and 16 years.

Twenty-five bottles were auctioned off for charity in recognition of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary. Proceeds from the auction went to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum.

In honor of these groundbreaking concerts, BACARDI has created a signature cocktail, the BACARDI “Center Stage,” a delicious mix of BACARDI® Superior Rum, fresh lime juice, strawberry puree, cranberry juice and citrus soda. To provide additional support, BACARDI will sponsor events, including the official after party surrounding the 25th Anniversary celebration.

“BACARDI has a long-standing connection and dedication to music,” said Billy Melnyk, senior experiential marketing manager, BACARDI rums. “This unique collaboration of some of music’s greatest legends is an experience that embodies the spirit of BACARDI and one we are proud to be a part of.”

Though her father has stepped down from the presidency, Jenna Bush Hager has not toned down her goal of changing the world. The former U.S. First Daughter headlined the bash launching her volunteer team with UNICEF on July 24, 2009.

UNICEF Next Generation is a group that works to improve the plight of impoverished children around the world. Hager, who is a Young Leadership Ambassador, chairs the nonprofit.

Held at hip nightspot Gates, the party doubled as a fundraiser for the group’s inaugural initiative, which required $175,000. By the wee hours of July 25, the event had raised around $45,000.

For their first project, the group is eyeing Guatemala’s malnourished children. This fall, the group will fly there to enact its initiative Project Sprinkles.

Project Sprinkles involves the distribution of the eponymous sachets to Guatemalan children. Sprinkles, which look like pouches of sugar, contain the daily recommended amount of micronutrients for children.

Gate’s partygoers had their fill of nutrition through tasty cupcakes called Crumbs. They feasted on Sprinkle Spritzers and cocktails from Grey Goose, while gyrating to DJ Josh Madden’s energetic tunes.

Onstage, Next Generation members raffled gift certificates to plush eateries at the Hotel Griffou, Waverly Inn, and Kingswood. Members also sold UNICEF Inspired Gifts, including a toolkit called School-in-a-Box. The kit offers tools for a provisional school for more than 40 children anytime, anywhere.

US Fund for UNICEF President Caryl Stern partied with the Next Generation youngsters. Members Lauren and Barbara Bush were standouts at the party, along with sisters Maggie and Jessica Betts.

Next Generation is also composed of Danielle Abraham, Mia Baxter, Gretchen Bylow, Clementine Crawford, Arielle Diskin, Megan Ferguson, Randolph Frazier II, Jillian Gumbel, Gillian Hearst Simonds, Louise Hooff, Geoff Johnston, Anika Kreider, David Lauren, Brian Lee, Melissa McGhie, Gloria Marie Moncrief, Purvi Padia, Caroline Polisi, Meredith Ross, Jason Rotter, Maya Samuelsson, Anna Schwab, Krystal Shanahan, Ashley Irvin Weaver, Candice Wolfswinkel and Brooke Worthington.

Winners and losers alike plied the boulevards towards New York City’s happening nightspots following the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Musicians, new and old, interrupted in their acceptance speeches or not, kept the fun all night last September 13, 2009.

Probably expecting the scene would match her hedonistic songs, the industry’s biggest names converged at Lady GaGa’s afterparty at Avenue. The gathering, thrown by her record label Interscope, lured everyone from Nicky Hilton to Perez Hilton.

GaGa’s party nature easily revealed itself when she arrived at the celebration looking like a bride. Wearing Jean Paul Gaultier threads and a Minnie Mouse-inspired hat, she was reportedly in the seventh of costume changes that included head-to-toe laces, blood-soaked leotards, and birds’ nests.

GaGa departed from the ceremonies at Radio City as Best New Artist. In addition to the said award, her eccentric music video for “Paparazzi” won the VMAs for art direction and special effects.

VMA host Russell Brand celebrated with GaGa after the show. At the party, he was seen cozying up to Katy Perry, who was accompanied by Markus Molinari. Perry’s fellow hit-makers Akon, Keri Hilson, Polow Da Don and Soulja Boy Tell’em were also in attendance. Other partygoers included Kristin Cavallari, Melody Thornton, Teyana Taylor and Julie Henderson. Lorenzo Martone and Jon Gosselin came, too, sans their lovers Marc Jacobs and Hailey Glassman.

Tequila and champagne loosened the Interscope party atmosphere. Managing to catch the merriment was Justin Timberlake, who came from Jay-Z’s party at 1 Oak in the meatpacking district.

Sighted with him at 1 Oak were VIPs like Rihanna, Djimon Hounsou, Kimora Lee Simmons and Cassie. Jay-Z had thrown another party at his club 40/40.

Not to be outdone, Warner Music Group staged its own merrymaking, spotlighting DJ D-Nice on the sets. Abe & Arthur’s was the site; Green Day, DJ Premier, Sean Garrett, Maino and Gabrielle Union came.

Diddy was present at the GaGa, Jay-Z and WMG affairs. His ex-flame Jennifer Lopez dined with husband Marc Anthony at Waverly Inn, where Kim Kardashian was also dining. In the meantime, Pete Wentz threw an afterparty at the bar Angels & Kings, which he owns.

The Ross School, founded by education innovator Courtney Sale Ross, hosted its annual “Social@Ross,” with a percentage of the proceeds going to scholarships for lower-income students. The Ross School, located in the Hamptons in New York, is an exclusive school known for its eclectic curriculum and advanced educational methodologies. Tuition to the school is quite high, but Courtney Sale Ross has set aside a large percentage of admissions for students whose families could not afford the school.

This year’s Social@Ross had a musical lineup to die for. Headliners included Piano Man Billy Joel, funky soul-master Prince, college favorite The Dave Matthews Band, folk legend James Taylor, and classic rockers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The series of five concerts went for a whopping $15,000 for all five shows, or $3,000 a show. The 1,500 tickets for each show were completely sold out.

Admission included superb seating, gourmet meals prepared by top chefs, and an intimate atmosphere where concertgoers could mingle with the music stars and celebrities. The evening was sponsored by Cierge, the high-profile executive social networking group.

The evening redefined elegance and sophistication. On the menu were truffle tarlets, flowing champagne, the finest liquor, sushi, salmon, Asian salads, and more traditional fare such as Pop Burgers and hot dogs. Guests even received martini glasses filled with gourmet jelly beans

On hand was school founder Courtney Sale Ross and a long list of A-list celebrities. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Bon Jovi, Londell McMillan, Lizzie Grubman, Christie Brinkley, and L.A. Reid were just a few of the big names who showed up at the concerts. Also attending were Edie Falco, Aidia Turturro, Jay-Z, Ron Burkle, Steve Bing, and Marci Klein. Mo Osten was spotted sitting and chatting with Courtney Sale Ross.

On site, concert-goers enjoyed perfect seating in sling back beach chairs, without a bad seat in the house. Tables were covered with black linen and decorated with candles and purple flowers and pillows. But all this luxury was set up for a great cause: ensuring that some of the country’s best and brightest students got a shot at attending the Ross School. For Courtney Sale Ross, it’s not money that should determine your educational goals, but only imagination and discipline.