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Glamour, charity and those cars
January 13, 2006
Email this Print this BY JULIE HINDS
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
There was no lack of heat Friday at the 2006 North American International Auto Show Charity Preview.
Dressed to the nines in tuxes and skin-baring gowns, the estimated 17,000 gala guests basked in the unseasonably warm weather.
“I think it is fabulous. No coat required,” said Corinne Cuff, 40, of Troy. “I think it is a good omen. It’s going to make people think more positively about Michigan in January.”
Did we mention hip-hop star Ashanti performed at the Chrysler stand? Sizzling.
The charity preview is expected to raise $6.8 million for 11 local children’s charities. It also raised some hopes for the coming year.
The fashions this year were light on furs with the weather, and heavy on strapless and plunging gowns with sprinkles of glitter. Several expectant mothers looked good in clingy gowns (expect to see Angelina Jolie in them soon), and many soccer moms looked as svelte as teens.
One of them, Elizabeth Adams, 48, of Tullahoma, Tenn., made the trip at the last minute with her husband, Brant, who works for a research and development firm.
So where did she find her white gown with black floral beading? She hesitated to say.
She then blurted, “It’s my daughter’s,” guessing that it was a junior size 3 or 5. With a laugh, she said that Kara, 17, is going to college soon, “so I won’t have any clothes after that.”
Grammy-winner Ashanti added a dash of youth and funk to the night by singing and grooving with two backup dancers at the Chrysler stand.
“I’m so happy to be here! This is such a wonderful event!” yelled Ashanti, who is a big supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs, one of the groups that benefits from the charity preview.
Although Ashanti drew an enthusiastic crowd, it wasn’t like the crush caused by Celine Dion in 2003.
“It’s manageable. We can appreciate the singer,” said Ana Brown of White Lake Township, comparing the Dion night with Ashanti’s performance.
Ashanti was introduced by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who said before the mini-concert that he’s a big fan. What’s his favorite Ashanti song?
“I can sing it, but I don’t know the name of it,” Kilpatrick said. An aide came up with “Only U” before hizzoner could offer a rendition.
Among the stars spotted in the crowd: Gov. Jennifer Granholm, her husband, Dan Mulhern, and her son, Jack; and Aretha Franklin in a magnificent white fur coat (her escort, Willie Wilkerson, had an equally dazzling white fur coat and matching fur newsboy hat).
The most charm was probably spread by comedian Steve Harvey, who posed patiently for photos with a swarm of fans.
“I love it,” said Harvey of the show. “I go to a lot of auto shows. This is the baddest one I’ve ever been to.”
So did Harvey spot a possible ride? He sure liked the Ford F-250 Super Chief concept truck, a luxury vehicle that boasts a cigar humidor and a wood-paneled floor.
“I’ll buy that one from them, if they let me,” Harvey said.
Art Barber, a 75-year-old dance instructor from Sterling Heights, wore his sequin-splashed ballroom dance tie and chatted about ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” (Master P could use some lessons, in his opinion).
His wife, Victoria, 59, who wore a strapless chocolate-brown gown, gave a shout-out to the seniors where she works as an activities director at Sunrise Assisted Living of West Bloomfield.
“I told all of the seniors to watch tonight. They’re all staying up special tonight,” she said, referring to the WDIV-TV (Channel 4) coverage.
Her favorite thing about the show? “To see all the people enjoying themselves. To help others and to live in such a great country. I sound like Miss America, don’t I?
January 13, 2006
Email this Print this BY JULIE HINDS
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
There was no lack of heat Friday at the 2006 North American International Auto Show Charity Preview.
Dressed to the nines in tuxes and skin-baring gowns, the estimated 17,000 gala guests basked in the unseasonably warm weather.
“I think it is fabulous. No coat required,” said Corinne Cuff, 40, of Troy. “I think it is a good omen. It’s going to make people think more positively about Michigan in January.”
Did we mention hip-hop star Ashanti performed at the Chrysler stand? Sizzling.
The charity preview is expected to raise $6.8 million for 11 local children’s charities. It also raised some hopes for the coming year.
The fashions this year were light on furs with the weather, and heavy on strapless and plunging gowns with sprinkles of glitter. Several expectant mothers looked good in clingy gowns (expect to see Angelina Jolie in them soon), and many soccer moms looked as svelte as teens.
One of them, Elizabeth Adams, 48, of Tullahoma, Tenn., made the trip at the last minute with her husband, Brant, who works for a research and development firm.
So where did she find her white gown with black floral beading? She hesitated to say.
She then blurted, “It’s my daughter’s,” guessing that it was a junior size 3 or 5. With a laugh, she said that Kara, 17, is going to college soon, “so I won’t have any clothes after that.”
Grammy-winner Ashanti added a dash of youth and funk to the night by singing and grooving with two backup dancers at the Chrysler stand.
“I’m so happy to be here! This is such a wonderful event!” yelled Ashanti, who is a big supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs, one of the groups that benefits from the charity preview.
Although Ashanti drew an enthusiastic crowd, it wasn’t like the crush caused by Celine Dion in 2003.
“It’s manageable. We can appreciate the singer,” said Ana Brown of White Lake Township, comparing the Dion night with Ashanti’s performance.
Ashanti was introduced by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who said before the mini-concert that he’s a big fan. What’s his favorite Ashanti song?
“I can sing it, but I don’t know the name of it,” Kilpatrick said. An aide came up with “Only U” before hizzoner could offer a rendition.
Among the stars spotted in the crowd: Gov. Jennifer Granholm, her husband, Dan Mulhern, and her son, Jack; and Aretha Franklin in a magnificent white fur coat (her escort, Willie Wilkerson, had an equally dazzling white fur coat and matching fur newsboy hat).
The most charm was probably spread by comedian Steve Harvey, who posed patiently for photos with a swarm of fans.
“I love it,” said Harvey of the show. “I go to a lot of auto shows. This is the baddest one I’ve ever been to.”
So did Harvey spot a possible ride? He sure liked the Ford F-250 Super Chief concept truck, a luxury vehicle that boasts a cigar humidor and a wood-paneled floor.
“I’ll buy that one from them, if they let me,” Harvey said.
Art Barber, a 75-year-old dance instructor from Sterling Heights, wore his sequin-splashed ballroom dance tie and chatted about ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” (Master P could use some lessons, in his opinion).
His wife, Victoria, 59, who wore a strapless chocolate-brown gown, gave a shout-out to the seniors where she works as an activities director at Sunrise Assisted Living of West Bloomfield.
“I told all of the seniors to watch tonight. They’re all staying up special tonight,” she said, referring to the WDIV-TV (Channel 4) coverage.
Her favorite thing about the show? “To see all the people enjoying themselves. To help others and to live in such a great country. I sound like Miss America, don’t I?
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