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<\/a>The stage where the awards ceremony was held. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
Lambda Legal is a very charitable organization that fights for the rights of the LGBT community.\u00a0 This fete was to honor Toyota North America and Asian Pacific Islander Equality by bestowing upon them the Liberty Award, which Lambda presents annually to \u201cindividuals, organizations, and leaders whose efforts, advocacy, and policies contribute to a world of greater equality for all.\u201d \u00a0But isn\u2019t that what everyone<\/em> should be doing?! It\u2019s so sad that so many in this world, including our country\u2019s current shameful administration, have not received that memo.<\/p>\n Even though it was a fundraiser, this was far from a stuffy awards type of evening.\u00a0 First of all, the reception was held in the hip, recently-opened restaurant, Tao, which is in the also-hip Dream Hollywood Hotel, which is located in the even more hip (now) area of Hollywood.\u00a0 Except for the early evening hour, I felt like I was back in my clubbing days!\u00a0 (But that time frame of the party was part of what made it so perfect; it was like the Baby Bear\u2019s bed–just right.\u00a0 It was not too early, not too late, and the whole shebang was done in about two hours!\u00a0 I was home in time to watch my DVRed Game 3 of the NBA play-offs shortly after it had ended in real<\/em> time, and not have to stay up until the wee hours, throwing-up over the Cavs losing again.)<\/p>\n The upstairs bar. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n The fascinating venue was totally packed.\u00a0 I\u2019ve rarely seen anything like it.\u00a0 And I must laud everyone there for something; for once, every single guest was dressed appropriately! The invitation stated \u201ccocktail attire,\u201d and even on a week-day evening, the assemblage complied. I really appreciated that. I never understand what exactly can be in someone\u2019s mind to choose to dress contrary to what is called for by the host. [Note: I\u2019m serious about this. A (formerly) really good friend of mine recently decided to wear jeans<\/em> to a major theatre\u2019s opening night, despite my having outlined the attire for the event for her! On top of that timely info, she had been to many<\/em> opening nights with me before! I was so mortified that I had to cross her off my \u201caccompanying me to good events\u201d list. No lie.]<\/p>\n Karen Salkin and Lucia Singer-McCarthy in the photo booth.<\/p><\/div>\n Tao is a gigantic space, with many levels, which the exterior gave no clues to.\u00a0 The silent auction (part of which is depicted in the big photo at the top of this page, taken\u00a0by Karen Salkin) was set-up on the ground floor, across from the pretty bar, which served a special cocktail all night.\u00a0 On one side of that level, which overhangs the main floor, there was a fun photo booth set-up.\u00a0 (The guy who ran it was kind enough to allow Lucia and me to take three pictures until we were both satisfied with our images. I saw some other groups take even more<\/em> shots! And, by the way, the photo booth guy was also dressed-up for the occasion! There were no slouches there at all.)<\/p>\n The view from the main level of Tao, going down. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n All the dining tables were on several more levels going down the stairs.\u00a0 And three food stations were set-up on the bottom level, where there were high-top tables to stand at to eat.\u00a0 One station was all sushi, which Lucia was happy with, and another one had several dishes, including lobster fried rice, skewers of chicken and sea bass, (not together, of course,) and a basic salad in individual Chinese take-out containers.\u00a0 (Although we never made it over to the other side, we assume it featured the same items.)\u00a0 There were also hors d\u2019oeuvres, such as potstickers, egg rolls, and sliders, being passed the whole while by a very amiable and attractive staff.\u00a0 It was all delicious and uber-generous.\u00a0 (Too bad for me that I had just begun eating better\u2014read: \u201cnot as much as usual\u201d\u2014the day before.)<\/p>\n Amin El Gamal, looking like he wants to join that statue behind him. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n After just the right amount of time had passed for mingling, chowing-down, and imbibing, the awards presentation began.\u00a0 It was hosted by actor\u00a0Amin El Gamal, who\u2019s on the new version of\u00a0Prison Break<\/em>.\u00a0 (Sadly for me, who was an avid watcher of the original series, I haven\u2019t had even one second to watch this new one.\u00a0 And I really need to begin, because it\u2019s the perfect diet show\u2014I\u2019ve always lost my appetite watching those brutal prison scenes!)<\/p>\n In addition to the awards and brief speeches, there was also some live auction action.\u00a0 Gavin Keilly, who owns GBK Productions, auctioned-off the opportunity to be a guest at one of his impressive gifting suites.\u00a0 As one who\u2019s been to multiple GBK events, I can attest to the fact that whoever claimed that item is due for a wonderful experience.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>