The "power gays" were out in full force on Sunday afternoon for GLAAD's annual summer cocktail fundraiser, ABSOLUT Hancock Park. The "Absolut" part meant free booze and the "Hancock Park" part was in reference to Wes Walraven's beautiful mansion located in a swanky area of Los Angeles.
The party took place on the grounds outside of the home and only the staff and select VIPs were allowed inside. The word on the street was that it was very "museum-like" on the inside. The shaded grassy area was sprinkled with tables and two bars nearby served as the main mingling area--at least until the sun calmed down a bit and more people started to venture out around the pool and Koi pond.
Read Wayne's highlights from the party and what celebrities were spotted after the jump...
Saturday night I attended a gallery show at Brick and Mortar's Gallery 1505 Brick and Mortar.
Here's the information on the show:
you are cordially invited...
The Big Rig Show
Roger Snider's photography series "Mega Rigs"
Opening reception Saturday Aug 4, 2007
Hosted bar and dj from 7-11pm
with the Los Angeles derby dolls:
fight crew, sirens & tough cookies
and
live Big Rigs from
Dedicated Rides
When I got the invite two things came to my mind; an art show at a clothing store and photos of Big Rigs. Should be interesting.
Brick and Mortar is a clothing store in West Hollywood with their trademark illuminating red glowing letter B that hovers over the entrance. Gallery 1505 is the third store they've opened (the first two stores are both located in West Hollywood). It has monthly art installations and events that feature contemporary artists. Just like the other two stores, Gallery 1505 carry clothes as well as books, grooming products and gifts for the home.
More details and more photos from the event after the jump.
Thursday night I attended Frontiers Magazine Hot 25 party at the gorgeous Eleven supper club in West Hollywood.
Here's what the invite said:
Hello Everyone-
Frontiers Magazine is bringing HOT back!!
Please come join me at ELEVEN in West Hollywood this Thursday to celebrate the release of Frontiers Magazine's HOT 25 ISSUE which profiles 25 interesting individuals in our community who are making a difference - Angelinos who are redefining what's HOT!
The event will be hosted by Catwoman herself - Julie Newmar and we would also like to introduce you to our new editor, Jeremy Kinser.
The event will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and will feature entertainment, drinks, and appetizers and we will have a raffle to benefit the Gay & Lesbian Center's Young Professional Council.
I promptly got to Eleven at 6:30. There was only a short window for the drinks and appetizers, so I had to position myself close to the bar, but near the kitchen when the servers came out with the food.
Last Friday night, I attended Popstarz at The Factory Nightclub in West Hollywood to see Hilary Duff. I admit it, I was kind of a "Lizzie McGuire" fan back in the day, so I was curious to see what she could do as a singer. Well, my low expectations were satisfactorily met. She's not the best singer or dancer, but I expected a little more than the lip-synching and off-beat pelvic thrusts she gave us, and that's just barely what I got. And to make matters even worse, the "queen of all media" (I won't mention his name, but it rhymes with Paris Hilton) was there to introduce Hilary to the crowd.
At least it wasn't a total bust. She only sang two songs, thanked the crowd and then was gone just as long as the "concert." The one great thing about the night, was my bartender buddy, Bernie, hooking me and my friends up with some powerful cocktails. It made jumping around dancing like 14-year-old girls at a slumber party that much more fun.
Your girl Lisa Timmons was on hand Tuesday night for the red carpet arrivals of The ESPYs Extreme 2007 Kickoff Party at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. The cream of the crop photos were posted in our earlier post. But for those of you wanting more we've compiled the whole entire photo roll into an easy to watch Video Photo-O-Rama. The video's slightly NSFW with a quick nip-slip from Bai Ling near the end.
I'll be honest--I'm not even sure exactly what this event was that I was covering. It wasn't the ESPY awards, it was a party about them, or something. God, I'm such a good journalist. That aside, I experienced two firsts Tuesday evening. Number one, I was at my first event at which an on-site paramedic was stationed in anticipation of some possible injuries during the party. Number two, Bai Ling showed up and I took my first picture of a celebrity nipple. Although, since it was Bai Ling, it's kind of like shooting fish in a barrel, so I can't really brag. But still, she was my first.
There were bunch of skaters and bicycle-riding extreme sports guys (Do you like my knowledge of the technical jargon?) doing flips and stuff from a 30-foot ramp thing. It was awesome, if you're into that kind of thing. Personally, I was more excited to see Maria Sharapova, Ladainian Tomlinson and a surly Peyton Manning, who brushed past us paparazzi so quickly, we couldn't get a picture. Amanda Beard, who recently enjoyed a cover and a spread in Playboy also showed up in what looked like a mini-mermaid dress that I rather loved.
More photos of the stars in attendance, including Bai Ling's nipple after the jump (NSFW)
WHO: Elle Magazine and Original Penguin WHAT: Shop for a cause WHEN: Thursday, June 28 WHERE: Original Penguin Store on Melrose Avenue WHY: To benefit the Art of Elysium CELEB FACTOR: Nick Verreos, of Bravo's "Project Runway" and Brad Rowe, "Shelter"
Last week, I attended the Elle Magazine and Original Penguin Store party on trendy Melrose Avenue. I've gone to parties at this store in the past, so I was totally excited. I called a couple of my comrades, and we hit the shindig, ready for gift bags and free drinks. When we arrived, I noticed it was not nearly as crowded as the opening night party of this store. But, it wasn't a total deal breaker since it was MUCH easier to maneuver around balancing cocktails, appetizers and clothes with less people in my way. Cause you know my broad shoulders need room to breathe.
After a few cocktails, it was time for more shopping. I figured I should at least buy something since the party was a benefit with 10% of the proceeds benefiting the Art of Elysium, oh and there was also a 20% discount on all purchases. During this shopping frenzy, I ran into my friend Nick from "Project Runway" who was seriously getting his shop on. There was no time for chatting, just kisses on the check, a quick hello and back to the business at hand.
More on Mike's adventures in shopping after the jump...
Thursday night I attended the Instinct Magazine party at The Factory. Being that this was a gay event, and there was an open bar, I knew I HAD to be there right when the event started. There's only one thing the gays love more than alcohol, and that's free alcohol. It started at 8pm and I got there 5 minutes late and there was already a line of about 20 guys. BITCHES!
All the usual suspects of West Hollywood were holding court throughout the venue. My main concern was making sure I got my fair share of the Absolut open bar, which only lasted 2 hours. BITCHES!
About halfway through the event, there was a fashion show by underwear and swimsuit designer Andrew Christian. It wouldn't be a gay event without men strutting their man meat on stage in their undies. Unfortunately, J.P. Calderon the hottie Instinct Magazine cover boy and contestant of Survivor: Cook Island wasn't in the show. He just walked around spreading his gorgeousness throughout the crowd.
And, like most nights in West Hollywood, I ended the night at The Abbey. That's where things got fuzzy. I'm guessing that means I had a great time.
More photos of men is tiny swimsuits after the jump.
Before I even left town for Long Beach Gay Pride, a friend of mine who works at the MAC make-up counter was lucky enough to get to apply Jennifer Hudson's make-up for her last week and nearly lost his ever-loving mind. That was the precursor to getting to see her perform this past Sunday to see her perform during the festivities.
Unfortunately Jennifer's album isn't out yet, so she mainly sang song from "Dreamgirls." She even joked that she'll come back when she has actually has songs of her own to sing for the gays. It basically ended up feeling like I was attending an Effie White concert. And even when she was done singing all the songs from the film, she brought a couple of people from the audience up to sing with her, since she had time to kill. Nevertheless, she still blew us all away. If she can draw a crowd like that without even having an album, she may become my new diva. I'm just kidding Beyonce. You're still my girl.
More festive photos from Long Beach Gay Pride after the jump...
Saturday night, I checked myself into the Stoli Hotel to celebrate my birthday. As you may remember from a past post here on ASL, it's not an actual hotel, but part of a month-long promotion for Stolichnaya Vodka. They rented a 10,000 square foot space in Hollywood that was designed to look like a hotel inside. Here's how Stoli describes it:
Invited guests will be greeted by a full-service concierge as they enter the hotel to view the exquisitely designed bar or visit the integrated spa. A series of individually designed guest rooms, inspired by Stoli's full flavor portfolio, will host a range of events. The elit Suite, which pays homage to Stoli's ultra-luxury vodka, Stolichnaya elit, will be open to VIPs only.
My guests and I stayed in the Stoli Blueberi room. Everything in the room was blue with bottles of the Stoli Blueberri encased in glass integrated into the fake walls even. I never had a chance to enjoy the spa services, but I did make my way over to take a peek. You could actually get massages, facial, manicures and pedicures.
From what I can tell by the pictures, it looked like my party was a success. The organizers of Hotel Stoli didn't exactly plan to have my birthday take place at their completely unrelated event, but a mere Evite and subsequent email reminders later, and I successfully managed to co-opt the event for my own personal use. Ah, only in Hollywood...
I also have a sneaking suspicion that my guests and I may have been the first to cause the Stoli Hotel to actually run out of Stoli before the night's end. What can I say? We were thirsty.
More photos from the Mike's birthday at the Stoli Hotel after the jump...
A Socialite's Life provides your recommended daily dose of celebrity gossip, photos, & media speculation - brought to you in digestible bites. To be enjoyed with a martini (and with a sense of humor).
