Set among 37 acres of regular English countryside beside the Windsor castle, the White Tie & Tiara Ball is an amazing evening, raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since that it has become a once a year event hosted by David and Elton and is one of the premier fundraising events in the United Kingdom.
The ball which has raised £40 million over the years will continue its tradition on June 23, 2011.
Starting with reception champagne, guests can walk round the grounds of Woodside at their leisure, enjoy the graceful surroundings from the 18th century Orangery, The Roman Terrace, The White Scented Gardens, The Italian Garden, The Tennis Courts and also the Secret Garden. Each one of the gardens is comes to life with a host of themed musicians and performers that have ranged from characters from the Midsummer Nights Dream in The Secret Garden, a four opera singers and thirteen piece orchestra in the conventional Italian Garden to call home giraffes and zebras, a pink big Cadillac full of 10 Elvis’s or Venice Beach at the 2008 Ball. The evening then continues with a generous dinner that features London’s top caterers and selections of premium wines.
An auction follows having a number of exclusive and unique lots. In 2001 the auction, hosted by Kevin Spacey, saw a very funny bidding war explode between him and Kate Winslet which led to Kate joining him on stage to fight on the unique diamond watch produced by the event sponsors, Chopard. Additional auction lots have included “You write the lyrics and Elton writes the song”, a personal yoga lesson with Sting, a session with photographer David LaChapelle, football lessons with David Beckham, a monument by Antony Gormley, a painting by Marc Quinn an appliquéd blanket by Tracey Emin, along with a dinner with David& Elton at their London home.
The night time culminates with much expected performances from few very unusual surprise guests with Sir Elton himself. Every year, memorable and magical moments are made including performances from Ronan Keating and Craig David, a duet by Sting and Elton of “Hey Big Spender” and an unprepared duet of Elton’s usual “Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting” with Anastacia and Elton.
Image official credit website:http://www.starstyleinc.com/12th-annual-white-tie-and-tiara-ball-to-benefit-elton-john-aids-foundation-june-24-2010-sp51053-full.html
