Wed. February 29, 2012
Chicago, IL -
Center on Halsted's 2012 On the Red Carpet Oscar watch party brought glitz and glamour to Chicago's Park West Theater Sunday night, where more than 400 guests watched the Academy Awards in style.
All told, Center on Halsted raised a record $70,000 for their programs and services through ticket sales, a silent auction, a raffle and corporate sponsorships.
"Our tremendous success shows the support the people, companies and institutions of Chicago have for our Center," said CEO Modesto Tico Valle. "The money raised will go directly back to building and strengthening the LGBT community through the diverse programs offered daily at Center on Halsted."
In addition to broadcasting the awards show on three giant movie screens, the event included a full buffet dinner courtesy of the Entertaining Company, cocktails and champagne service for guests who were all dressed in their best celebrity styles.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, attendees were interviewed by Precious Jewel and ChicagoPride.com's style columnist Stephen Young on their outfits and predictions for the evening during the Live Red Carpet Arrival via closed circuit television that was broadcast live in the theater, courtesy of Mini of Chicago.
"I may not have gone home with an Oscar, but our community still won the best award of all thanks to the overwhelming support," Jacob Kosior, Director of Special Events and Volunteers, wrote on the Center on Halsted's community blog.
The Nielsen Company served as On the Red Carpet's presenting sponsor for the second year in a row.
The annual event was moved to the Park West this year, a larger venue to accommodate growing interest; even still, tickets sold out in record time.
Tickets are already on sale for Center on Halsted's annual Human First gala on May 12 featuring k.d. lang and The Siss Boom Bang and hosted by Bravo's Andy Cohen, host of Watch What Happens Live.
For more information about the Center on Halsted, visit www.centeronhalsted.org.
Related: View photos from On the Red Carpet
On the Web: Visit CoH's Facebook page to view more photos from On the Red Carpet
Information from a Press Release
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