By continuing to dazzle us with these incredibly memorable events, Camille & Larry Ruvo and their team are doing all they can do to literally Keep Memory Alive.  Take the most recent Power of Love gala, for instance.  Yes, there was an incredible meal prepared by Wolfgang Puck and Giada De Laurentiis; and more vintages than you could down with two livers; but also a frenzied luxury auction that went into hyperdrive (even without the presence of some of the event’s regular high-rollers), and some mind-bogglingly sensational entertainment.

First came last year’s co-Honoree Gloria Estefan (who, with husband and partner, Emilio; returned to co-Chair this year’s event), singing her 1990 hit, “Coming Out of the Dark” that got things started with a spiritually uplifting bang.  Then, Estefan was joined onstage by country crooner Martina McBride, with whom she sang a duet of McBride’s 2003 song “In My Daughter’s Eyes” (a song so earnest and beautiful that Estefan said she wished she’d written it, herself).  After this, the assembled guests were informed by emcee Robin Leach that dinner was served.

Then came the Live Auction, that included a trip to London with the gang from Casamigos (Amal & George Clooney, and Cindy Crawford & Rande Gerber) for the launch of Amal’s new book; vacations on two of the world’s most private hideaways, David Copperfield’s Musha Cay and Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island; tickets to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show; and a 4-day/3-night sailing for eleven guests aboard Sol Lew’s majestic 144-ft superyacht the M.Y. Texas, along the Great Barrier Reef, that was so in-demand that once the bidding war got up to six-digits, Ruvo (ever the consummate businessman, and recognizing that two at $75k is better than one at $100k) did what he’s wont to do in such situations, and awarded both Diana Bennett and Abbie Friedman with her own sailing – for $75,000 each.

But hold your hats folks, because the real star of the Live Auction was the weeklong trip to Italy, this September, aboard Mark Cuban’s 767.  There, guests will be shown Rome and Florence as a guest of Veronica and Andrea Bocelli; including a pair of concert performances (one, presented by Cartier, in the Bocellis’ home); a private tour of the Vatican City and Sistine Chapel, followed by lunch at Maison Valentino; and tours of the finest Tuscan wineries.  Who could’ve foreseen that a dozen couples would pony-up the $200,000 to go?  Certainly not Veronica Bocelli, who declared that this might require the use of a second jet!   (Brother, can you spare a 767?)  In all, this package alone brought-in $2.4 million – 100% of which has been earmarked for KMA’s Ronaldo Brunelli Caregiving Program (named for Veronica’s beloved grandfather).  

Back to the entertainment, once again; the incredible past honoree Quincy Jones (in his third year as co-Chair) took the stage to introduce Robin Thicke.  Now, I own Nicole Ruvo Falcone a huge apology, because the night before, as we drove Downtown, to the VIP Reception at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, I voiced my opinion that Robin Thicke was “douchey” – to which Nicole schooled me that he was a terrific performer.  I chose to hold my opinion, and I’m here to tell you – he IS an incredible performer, and besides, he’s not my husband.  So the pair of disco-tinged, Jacksons-influenced songs he performed in front of an orchestra (“Magic” and “When I Get You Alone”) was undeniably on fleek!

Then came the legendary George Benson, who sang some of his classics, then grabbed a guitar and sang “This Masquerade” and I can’t believe it, but I was shushing people “Shut up, y’all!  This is major!”  And it was.

But all of it was just aural foreplay for the main event, and the evening’s co-Honoree, Andrea Bocelli (introduced, in true Hollywood fashion, by one of the true modern day sirens of the silver screen, Sharon Stone), who not only sang a couple arias, but then performed his international hit, “Con te Partiro” (known to any longtime Las Vegan as “The Bellagio song!”).  After this, Bocelli brought it home, in a truly Vegas way, by singing Elvis Presley’s 1961 classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – which brought the house down.  As our table was gagging, Larry walked by and whispered “It gets better…”  HOW???  By bringing Celine Dion out, to recreate the magic of her famed duet with Bocelli, “The Prayer” – that’s how.

What were my favorite parts of the evening?  Well, I had a very amusing encounter with Quincy Jones as I escorted Amy Sacco down the red carpet.  Q was giving me props on my look for the evening, and I asked him if he’d seen himself, lately (as he looks fantastic).  Being photographed with Sharon Stone – that certainly didn’t suck.  Sitting between two of my favorite people, Diana Bennett and Amy Sacco, was sublime, as was being seated at a table that included such dear friends of mine as Scott Menke, Ross Miller, Nicole Ruvo Falcone & Michael Falcone, Ronnie Newman, Greg Calejo, and Bravo’s newest breakout star (and my newest chums), Dorinda Medley (The Real Housewives of New York) and John Mahdessian (proprietor of NY’s famed Madame Paulette).  But if I’m really being honest, it was probably the 15 minutes I spent chatting, at the beginning of the night, with Eloise & John Paul DeJoria, who are an absolute scream, and truly kind and generous people; and that’s really what and who this whole event is about.

19th annual Power of Love gala | benefiting Keep Memory Alive
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#OneMemory

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