Hollywood goes all out for Fire & Ice Ball

HOLLYWOOD (Reuters) -- The entertainment industry can be justly proud of the donations it's made over the past decade at the annual Fire & Ice Ball: The $20 million raised went into the research on Herceptin, a highly successful, genetically engineered breast cancer medication.

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What did they wear? CNN Showbiz Today takes you to the Fire & Ice Ball Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

The ball has always been about eye-catching presentation, and Monday's was no exception. Except for the ceiling, every surface of the Beverly Hilton's ballroom was changed.

To achieve a glamorous, black-and-white supper club atmosphere, the room was recarpeted; the walls hung with "star drapes" (black material studded with lights); custom banquettes with rectangular tables installed; and the stage and columns covered in mirrors.

The mirrored stage formed the backdrop for opening remarks from co-hosts Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox Arquette and Lisa Kudrow, a welcoming speech by ball co-chairman Lilly Tartikoff and a short talk by medical researcher Dr. Dennis Slamon. The evening's entertainment came from Burt Bacharach, accompanied by three singers and a seven-piece band.

If there was a flaw to the evening, it was the audience's chattering during Bacharach's performance. He basically stopped and told them to shut up. The singer-songwriter then went on with a strong 20-minute set that ended with a standing ovation and thousands of white feathers falling like snow from the ceiling.

Among the feathered flock at the event, which raised roughly $2 million were Quincy Jones, Milla Jovovich, Madeleine Stowe, Donna Langley, Ralph Fiennes, Jamie Bell, Sela Ward, Ellen Barkin and Thora Birch.

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