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Start with one part fundraiser. Add a celeb-packed guest list. Throw in some live music from Stevie Wonder, food from Thomas Keller and Charlie Palmer, or a silent auction with Louis Vuitton goodies or tennis lesson from Andre Agassi. Season to taste with black ties and cocktails. You’ve just whipped up one of Night+Day’s Best Annual Charity Events, some of the hottest parties on the social calendar.
Best Annual Charity Events in....
Best Annual Charity Events
Las Vegas
Andre Agassi Foundation Grand Slam for Children
Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, 3883 Howard Hughes Pkwy.,
October, 702-227-5700 agassifoundation.org
The Draw: Since 1995, this black-tie event has been a favorite both for its cause—the Andre Agassi Foundation, dedicated to improving education in Las Vegas—and for its A-list headliners. The Scene: Agassi’s rolodex is large, which means plenty of local bigwigs and Hollywood types in their finest gowns and tuxedos. This year, Elton John and Rob Thomas perform (in years past Barbra Streisand and Tim McGraw were in the line-up). Hot Tip: The after-party is on pretty tight lock down (no chance of sneaking in), but if you’re looking to rub elbows with the stars, book a room at the Wynn for the weekend—it’s where all the visiting celebs stay.
Keep Memory Alive Power of Love Gala
Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave.,
February 702-263-9797 keepmemoryalive.com
The Draw: Larry Ruvo, whose father Lou suffered from Alzheimer’s, hosted Vegas’ first annual memorial dinner in 1994 at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. Thanks to Larry’s connections in the food and wine world, this event has been catered by top toques such as Thomas Keller, Mario Batali, and Emeril Lagasse. The Scene: Guests—a mix of locals and celebs—are greeted with a glass of Dom, and then treated to great food, wine, and entertainment by the likes of Michael Bublé and Barry Manilow. The dress code though, is surprisingly low key: jackets, no ties for men; cocktail attire for women. Hot Tip: Tickets start at $1500, but big spenders (you’ll need to splurge on a whole table of $7,500 seats) get access to a private after party and a premium gift.
Nevada Cancer Rock for the Cure
1 Breakthrough Way, November, 702-822-LIFE nevadacancerinstitute.org
The Draw: This 13-year-old event has already become one of the city’s charity musts, thanks to a roster of celebs that includes Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy Award–winning artists, and TV hosts. The Scene: The site rotates—this year it’s at Aria—but the scene is the same. Expect a smattering of celebs (Paris Hilton and Sylvester Stallone have attended in past years), but a mostly local crowd, including the titans of industry and society. Hot Tip: The event often coincides with James Bond premieres—and the live auction includes big-ticket items such as the James Bond Jaguar (which sold for $200,000).
