LOVE AND HOPE BALL (1)

What a night to remember!
Report and copyright photos: Laura Terrell

February 14th. 2009
What a night to remember! Cocktail hour was fantastic…..dinner …excellent….and then the icing on the cake was Barry’s performance….each song he performed was right on the money….his falsetto still as strong as ever and his duets with Olivia just wonderful…..and then there was Stephen performing Living in the Rain….he was shining…..Barry was enjoying every moment ……very relaxed….the fans and DRI welcomed his performance with open arms….he got standing ovations….and he was right where he should be…on stage performing with his whole heart and soul….I got the chance to tell him…please Barry do not stop performing….he said: I won’t stop till I drop…. The play list goes something like this:
To Love Somebody
You Should Be Dancing
Marley Purt Drive (and Stephen Gibb was excellent on guitar)
First of May
Lonely Days
Words (which he dedicated to his wife Linda)
Fever (not Night fever)
Living In the Rain ( Stephen’s solo with Barry doing back up vocals and guitar)
Islands In the Stream (duet with Olivia Newton John)
I Honestly Love You (Olivia solo dedicating this to her new husband)
How Can You Mend Broken Heart (duet with Olivia)
Grease
Jive Talki
n How Deep Is Your Love
Stayin Alive
I hope I got this correct, Laura.
Click here for some photos
Ashley with mum Linda
LOVE AND HOPE BALL (2)


The 35th Annual Love and Hope Ball to benefit The DRI
My review by Georgette Hodson (copyright report),
Ashley with mum Linda

We girls (Marla, Vickie and myself) started to get ready for the ball apox. 2:30. Curling hair, plucking eyebrows and applying make-up, then it was time for the ball gowns to go on. Vickie and I both had corset type dresses so we had to tie each others dresses. We left our apartment about 4:15 and made our way though South Beach, North Beach, Sunny Isles, Golden Beach, Hallandale, then arrived at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood. Once we had the car valet we walked into the hotel where we were greeted by some gentleman who pointed us in the direction of the elevators to the grand ballroom floor. But not before we stopped and made one last make-up and hair check. Upon getting off the elevator we were again greeted and offered our professional pics to be taken by photographer Claude Zick, then made our way to get our place cards. Unfortunately we were seated at different tables but, we were close to each other. The Love and Hope Ball boasts a different theme each year. On this anniversary occasion, the committee has dubbed it The Royal Ball We entered the cocktail room where a spread of cocktails such as lamb chops, honey ham, and raw veggies were offered. There was also a shrimp bar and two open liquor bars to serve you while waiters and waitresses walked around to tables offering coconut shrimp (my fave) and pigs in a blanket. At the back of the room were three models with brilliant jewels from Saks We mingled with other guests and enjoyed the cocktails and greeted at our table by members of the Gibb family and other friends until it was announced the grand ballroom was open.

Entering the ballroom we were greeted by the sound of the house band that played a mixture of songs from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s and guests made there way to the dance floor to boogie to the tunes. We made our way to our tables were it was set in a lavish style to fit the theme of the night. At each place setting was a little ice sculpture of the word “LOVE” and inset in it was a jar of caviar. This thing melted and made the entire table soaked and the waiters and waitresses hurriedly took them away and gave us a few cloth napkins to soak up the water. Around the room were many items on display for the silent auction including a guitar and photo autographed by Barry, a Grease package with a CD and a limited edition Pavlova Perfume lalique Bottle valued at $700. We were served a salad of mixed greens in a thinly shaped crown crouton with a side of baby lobster tail served with a balsamic vinaigrette Then the main course of lamb chop with mushroom in a reduction sauce, (was supposed to be veal but it was lamb), a small twice baked potatoes. It was also supposed to include a nest of vegetables in a jesters hat but no one at my table got the vegetables on there plate that I saw. During the serving of the dinner Lisa Petrillo emceed the ball, recognizing certain members of DRI and huge donators. At this time the head of DRI Sonja Zuckerman also said a few words thanking all for coming and Linda was honored at this time for her many years of dedication.
Then it was time for the MAIN COURSE. BARRY GIBB took the stage and the crowd rose to their feet!! Songs he performed included Jive Talkin’, To Love Somebody, Words (dedicated to Linda), You Should Be Dancing, Marley Purt Drive, First of May( written about his dogs birthday), Lonely Days, Night Fever, Living in the rain (Steve sang this one and Barry accompanied him on guitar) Guilty and Islands In The Stream with Olivia Newton John, A little bit of Grease, How Deep Is Your Love, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and Staying Alive!! The crowd was on their feet and dancing for most of the show and when Barry did his encore the fans who were enjoying the show from the back of the room rushed to the front and danced and enjoyed there idol giving one of the best performances I have ever witnessed. Barry left the stage to a standing ovation and a load round of applause. Dessert was then served A cheese and fruit platter and a decadent dessert accompanied by the queens petit fours But the best dessert was Barry coming out to greet the adoring fans. He stayed for about 20 minutes posing for pics and signing CD’s and other items. When all was said and done the highly anticipated night was over too soon. Upon leaving the ballroom we were given a thank you gift from Saks fifth Ave and a copy of the photo that was taken when we first arrived. Downstairs we were offered starbucks coffee to drink while awaiting our cars While waiting for our car we had a lovely conversation with the mayor of Hollywood Fl.

It was a wonderful night with lots of memories made.   (Georgette H.)
Click here for some photos
LOVE AND HOPE BALL (3)


Was bleibt ist die Musik
For a report and photos in German please visit the following site: www.andreas-anderegg.ch