May 23, 2011
VIENNA (AFP) - The 19th edition of Life Ball, Vienna's colourful, annual AIDS charity event, opens Saturday with a fancy dinner to be followed by a glitzy show hosted at the city hall.
American singer Janet Jackson, representing American anti-AIDS charity amfAR, US ex-president Bill Clinton who has his own foundation, and actress Brooke Shields are among the celebrities due to attend the dinner.
Tickets for the event 2,500 euros (3,500 dollars).
An auction will be held to raise money for the fight against the disease first diagnosed 30 years ago. Sale items including a diamond and ruby necklace shaped like the red AIDS ribbon and an invitation to Clinton's 65th birthday party.
Thereafter, celebrities will attend a ball to be opened in Viennese tradition by 100 male and female social debutantes.
After the formal events, the party will continue at the city hall, where a disco has been created for the occasion -- for those who can afford the 150-euro entry fee.
The Life Ball -- one of the biggest AIDS charity events in the world, attracting some 40,000 revellers every year -- raised over 1.65 million euros for
international and national HIV and AIDS projects last year.
Past guests of the Life Ball, who often attend in extravagant costumes, have included singer Katy Perry and actresses Sharon Stone and Whoopi Goldberg.
Please scroll down to see more pictures.
