With the flick of a switch, pretty Nicole Richie - gussied up in a royal blue cocktail dress and eye-catching sparkly necklace - lit up the exquisite baccarat crystal chandeliers on Rodeo Drive.
Seconds later, the UNICEF snowflake was instantly transformed into a beacon of light on the roof of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, as a dazzling pyrotechnic display streaked across an inky night sky and signaled to the rapt crowds packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the street that another festive Yuletide season was underway.
The event was the annual "Lighting the Night" ceremony sponsored by tony Beverly Hills.
A short time earlier, the shoppers were treated to the song stylings of Kreesha Turner - and a popular local band - The 88.Fans of Lipstick Girls, Gossip & the Entourage may have heard strains of Kreesha's hits emanating from the backdrop of those popular shows - after all - they lend themselves well to the medium.
The music that accompanied the fireworks display - a sort-of strident techno pop sound - was right on the money, too. The dynamic futuristic sound added a touch of excitement and drama to the whole scenario.
But it was a pair of 3d glasses that volunteers handed out just before the light show, that caught the imagination of the revellers. The unique specs turned common lights in the night sky into sparkling snowflakes when you donned 'em and gazed skyward!
But, there was serious note or two in the proceedings, as well.
Sexy Joel Maddox noted that he recently travelled to the Central African Republic with UNICEF a couple of weeks ago, and he sadly reported that - at minimum - twenty-five thousand children die in that country daily from preventable causes like malaria, measles, or lack of clean water.At one point, Kreesha urged shoppers to pick up their cells and text "hope" to make a contribution to the cause.
"A dollar or two goes a long way," she insisted.
A rep from UNICEF, on hand to take part in the lighting of the "snowflake", noted it will shine brightly throughout the holiday season.
It was designed by Ingo Maurer, is made up of 12,000 Baccarat crystals, and weighs more than 1,600 pounds.
"We like to think it is a beacon sending out light to the dark corners of the world."
By donating to UNICEF, people have the opportunity to "believe in zero", note the organizers.
That's zero children dying from preventable diseases.
After the main stage event, guests took a stroll up Rodeo 2, where a flurry of snowflakes drifted magically down from the heavens.
The delighted expressions on all the children's faces said it all.
The joy of the season was upon us!
Text HOPE to 864233 and donate to Unicef. Its $5!
