words and pictures by Brian Solis

The Children

I was given a tremendous gift recently, the ability to photograph a very special event that benefited a very special organization.

Relativity Media, LLC CEO, Ryan Kavanaugh and fashion designer Rosetta Millington Getty hosted The Art of Elysium’s 2nd annual black-tie charity gala at the beautiful and historic Vibiana in Los Angeles.

The Art of Elysium is a non-profit organization founded in 1997, that encourages working actors, artists and musicians to dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. The organization provides artistic workshops that help children learn and participate in acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing. To contribute your time or donations, please contact them at: info@theartofelysium.org

Vibiana

The occasion served as an event to showcase the multitude of artistic expressions The Art of Elysium shares with hospitalized children on a daily basis.

The visual and conceptual aspects of the theme, “Heaven and Hell,” were created by legendary director, Jim Sheridan (Brothers, My Left Foot, In America), who also received the program’s Visionary award that evening. Following the celebration dinner at Vibrian, guests went followed the hosts to “hell” at the after-party hosted at The Edison.

Eva Mendes received the “Spirit of Elysium” award for her enthusiastic support and active participation in The Art of Elysium’s hospital program over the past two years, as well as her dedication to securing considerable financial support for the program.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story…

Amber Heard

Brittany Snow

Shannen Doherty and Ryan Kavanaugh

Ryan Kavanaugh, Topher Grace

Zelda Williams

Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Meyer

Ryan Kavanaugh, Amy Smart

Eva Mendes, Milla Jovovich

Rumer Willis, Ryan Kavanaugh

Priscilla Ahn

Ryan Kavanaugh, Sting

Gerard Butler

Ryan Kavanaugh and Kate Bosworth

Cartier Jewels

Priscilla Ahn performs

Ryan Kavanaugh, Jim Sheridan

The Edison

Daniel Lanois

Bonnie Sommerville, Andrew Marcus

Dave Annable

Ali Larter, Milla Jovovich

Kirsten Dunst

Donald Faison, Cacee Cobb

Gala attendants included Sting and wife, Trudie Styler, Gerard Butler, Kirsten Dunst, Aaron Eckhart, Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Meyer, Rosanna Arquette and Patricia Arquette, Joy Bryant, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, Rumer Willis, Amy Smart, Milla Jovovich, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, Bonnie Sommerville, Dave Annable, Shiva Rose, Charles Roven, Kate Bosworth, Shannen Doherty, Brittany Snow, Marisa Tomei, Sophia Bush, Ali Larter, Elijah Wood, Jared Leto, Rachel Griffiths, Topher Grace, Amber Heard, Paula Wagner and Rick Nicita, Lisa Love, Frederic de Narp and Ben Silverman.

For more pictures, please visit my album on Flickr.

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by Brian Solis

One of the most inspiring aspects of the Social Economy is the widespread comradeship that is pervasive amongst thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers. Although we’re in the throes of a recession, the community is more vigilant than ever and ready to help and guide you to success.

My good friends at Dealmaker Media are certainly among the greatest connectors and resource providers and they’re hosting an incredible event just for you.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area on February 6th, you could only benefit from participating in Startonomics. Dealmaker Media has organized some of the most revered, networked and proven entrepreneurs and experts to share insight, strategies, successess, challenges, and mistakes to help you effectively navigate your startup through these opportune stages of economic possibilities.

Speakers include:

David Sacks, Yammer

Mike Jones, Tsavo Media

Mark Jeffrey, Mahalo

Jim Benedetto, MySpace

Jason Nazar, DocStoc

Sean Percival, Author of MySpace Marketing

Ted Rheingold, Dogster

Peter Pham, Billshrink

Frank Addante, Rubicon

Dan Gould, Fox Interactive

Richard Rosenblatt, Demand Media

Startonomics is a one-day workshop designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs on how to create simple, actionable metrics; and how to use them to make better product and marketing decisions for long-term growth and startup success.s

There’s also an after party hosted by Media Temple…

If you’d like to attend, please click here. This link will reduce the ticket price by $100. Get it before they’re gone!

One more thing. I’m taking up residence for the day and will officially host a series of PR for Startup discussions during “office hours.” Stand by for more details! In the meantime, read this post on TechCrunch, “PR Secrets for Startups.”

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