Burak Altunay

Another great venue to have events in Dubai, the Four Seasons Golf Club at the Festival City, Dubai.

The set up was for 400 people wedding, with Guy Manoukian performing on stage.

I had the privilege to production manage an event for a cause (though still got paid) and had the most fun and relaxed production crew and management in years thanks to Pete & Martin and all else that worked hard to make it happen.

As there’s a Press Release for the Event Here are the event details

Inaugural Dubai Event Raises $3 Million to Support amfAR’s AIDS Research Programs and Raise Awareness about HIV/AIDS

Dubai, UAE, December 11, 2007 – Sharon Stone, Michelle Yeoh, Kenneth Cole, Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Paulo Coelho, Gloria Estefan, Dana Fuchs, Christian Louboutin, and Dita Von Teese came out to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS last night at amfAR’s inaugural Cinema Against AIDS gala in Dubai. The event, which was presented by the Dubai International Film Festival, raised $3 million for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. Dubai Pearl was the event’s sponsor, and the grand patrons were Hewlett-Packard Company and Alfiya Kuanysheva.
Among other guests who attended the gala at the Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa were Abdul Majid al Fahim (chairman of Dubai Pearl), Abdulhamid M. Juma (chairman of the Dubai International Film Festival), Pooja Batra, Kabir Bedi, Akbar Khan, and Sarah Shahi.

The evening opened with remarks by amfAR CEO Kevin Frost. Thanking those in attendance, Frost said, “no action that you take has greater potential to bring an end to the global AIDS pandemic than what you do tonight in support of AIDS research.” Frost then introduced amfAR Ambassador Michelle Yeoh, who spoke about amfAR’s Treat Asia Initiative and the power of cinema to engender cross-cultural understanding. Both Abdul Majid al Fahim and Abdulhamid M. Juma spoke about the importance of funding research to find a cure for HIV/AIDS.

Later in the program, amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole recognized the vision of the Dubai International Film Festival and thanked the organizers for joining amfAR as a partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He then introduced amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Sharon Stone, who spoke about the importance of remembering that HIV/AIDS affects everyone. Stone began the live auction by raising bids to $55,000 for a custom Louis Vuitton Vanity Case that she designed.

Five-time Grammy Award-winning Cuban-American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan provided a surprise performance, singing her hit “Cuts Both Ways.” During a break in the auction, Across the Universe star Dana Fuchs performed “The Rose.” Celebrity portraitist Brian Olsen then created a one-of-a-kind Marilyn Monroe portrait during the event, which was later auctioned off for $200,000.

Estefan closed the evening’s festivities by joining Dana Fuchs and Sharon Stone to sing the Beatles’s “Let It Be”. A fireworks display and an after-party featuring DJ Mateo ended the evening.

Other highlights of the auction:

Sharon Stone’s vintage 1961 Lincoln Continental, refurbished to mint condition, sold for $400,000.

Sharon Stone auctioned a private screening in Beverly Hills, followed by a private dinner with her at Spago Beverly Hills, courtesy of ce¬lebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, for $110,000.

The Dior Christal Unique Timepiece by Dior Watches sold for $200,000.

The Trench of Stars by Ottavio Fabbri, a fabulous limited edition crystal-encrusted silk trench coat, sold for $10,000.

The Voodoo Omen Gold-Edition Hewlett-Packard’s Custom-Built Gold-Plated Personal Gaming Computer sold for $45,000.

The Jumeirah/Emirates Vacation for Two–which included five nights in a suite in any Jumeirah hotel in New York, London, Dubai, or the soon-to-open Shanghai property, as well as round-trip business class airfare–sold for $30,000.

amfAR’s annual Cinema Against AIDS galas have been important and successful fund-raising events for the Foundation since 1993, generating more than $33 million for essential AIDS research. Past events have been hosted by Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, and Sir Elton John.

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested $260 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.

And here are some more pictures:

Set Up

‘Fogggyyyyy’

‘Tim & Rob hard at work’

Carpet goes down

Pete Lindop

Sharon Stone

Dana Fuchs, Sharon Stone & Gloria Estefan

Burak Altunay & Martin – Production hard at work