Red Ribbon Foundation’s Bollywood Gala
Loading Dock, a swinging night spot on the water in Stamford, CT, had been transformed into an India of the imagination: Swaths of pink and mango-hued fabric, golden goddesses, pots full of floating rose petals and a huge presiding Ganesha, not to mention an Indian bazaar and Bollywood martinis. Montages from Bollywood movies played on the big screens as henna artists painted the hands of guests and sitar and tabla players did their magic.
This fantasy evening was Bollywood Gala, the biennial fundraiser to support the cause of HIV/AIDS by Red Ribbon Foundation which is one of the top 25 grantmakers for HIV/AIDS organizations worldwide. It had been founded by Florence and Karl Suerig in memory of their son Michael Faerman who had died of HIV/AIDS.
Americans had gone Indian for a day and there were enough turbans, kurtas and jewels to outfit a Bollywood film production as over 250 guests, clad in Indian outfits and headgear, danced to the music of Om Shanti Om and Jai Ho with the Bollywood Axion dancers.
One of the most eye-catching sights was the Imperial Court, a fundraising group for gay and lesbian charities, fabulous entertainers resplendent in over-the-top Indian finery and jewels, clad in sarees for the first time. The headliner for the evening was singer/songwriter Ryan Star who performed from his album.
Bollywood Helps Combat HIV/AIDS
Stamford’s movers and shakers had come out in full force to try the Indian delicacies from Coromandel and dance to the music of DJ Kucha and enjoy the India recreated by Elegant Affairs. A vibrant auction by Sotheby’s auctioneer helped toward raising $350,000 for programs combating HIV/AIDS. Nicole Hazard, Director of Red Ribbon, said, “Demonstrating our commitment to combating the increasing presence of HIV in India, we are delighted to have Children’s Hope India as Red Ribbon’s newest funded program.”
As memory of their Indian evening, guests took home bangles, bindis and an auspicious Ganesha in an ornate organza bag.
(C) Lavina Melwani
(This first appeared in Hi Blitz magazine)
8 Comments
Subash, thank you for your comments. I do love the offbeat things which happen in life. Re: India on my Mind – I think it will be time to do a fashion story again soon as so much is happening with India-inspired stores and merchandise here.
Lavina
Absolute pleasure to read. As usual your writing is live and I look forward to your next challenge. Your article on “India on My Mind”• May 20th, 2010 • was great.
Cheers
Subash Midha
Kriti, it was like being on a Bollywood set – and part of the funds raised are going right back to AIDS-related causes in India.
Thanks, Indu! Yes, it was a really fun event and for a very good cause.
Lavina, looks like an amazing event… Colors have always been synonymous with India and your article brings it out even more. Must have been fun by the look of it – Great cause attached to the fun makes it so much more worthwhile.
Great article for a great cause
Lavina, you always excel in your coverage and presentation.
Congratulations to the organizers for a successful event
Sulekha, I see you’re still in one liner mode.
Let me try one too.
Lots of adjectives in one sentence but I truly appreciate them all,deserved or not!
Lovely article about a fantastic event, for a wonderful cause, by a brilliant writer.