Pre-Oscars Event Is A Party
The lights, the glamor, the red carpet, the step-and-repeat banner and, oh, the freebies.
And the champagne.
This is all a part of the pre-Oscars gift bag lounges, and PubClub.com got to walk the red carpet into the Rafi gifting lounge held at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills two days before the Academy Awards. Here’s what we witnessed at this exclusive event.
Lots Of Lights And Cameras
We had to weave my way through all the cameras, most of which had very bright lights. In front of the cameras were hosts doing stand-ups and interviewing people in the lounge and lobby. I noticed that more than a few of the cameras were actually smart phones with attachments.
Celebrities
I saw a few, although being more of a sports guy than a celebrity person, I generally don’t know who people are unless they have a name and number on their back. Spike Lee was scheduled to be there and I’m sure I would have recognized him, but the event went on all day and we arrived late afternoon so we probably missed him. I did see a few people that looked familiar but in that room instead of on a TV or movie screen could not say for certain, “oh, that’s so-and-so.”
The Gorgeous Girls
If you have the perception that celebrity events bring out gorgeous girls, then you would be correct in that assumption. This event was full of them, from the ones doing the gifting to those receiving the gifting. All of them were impeccably dressed, too with style that caught your eye but nothing gaudy or over the top. Girls always want to look their best in public and with the lights, cameras and a photo banner with a red carpet, this was a place for them to shine, and shine they did at this event.
Everyone Was Friendly – Very friendly
This was the most pleasant thing about the experience. I kind of went in with my defensive guard up – Hollywood people have a reputation of having a, well, “I’m better than you” attitude” – but I quickly adjusted my frame of mind. Everyone smiled, was really friendly and making small talk was as easy as saying hello.
One celebrity – at least I think she was a celebrity, as she had a gift bag so full slung over her shoulder she looked like Santa Claus bringimg presents into a living room – inadvertently stepped back. She quickly turned around and issued a “oh I’m SORRY!” apology.
The Gifting Lounge Gifts
There were stylish suits (for women!), high-end designer jeans, jewelry, even a 5-day spa trip to a resort in Bali. At the exit there were buckets of roses from PassionRoses.
I did not get gifts, tho saw a fellow lifestyle blogger with a bag and said “you mean media can get a bag!?” She winked as if to say “of course – for me!” Tho she not, I learned upon inquiry, get the jeans or jewelry. Or a trip to Bali.
It’s A Party!
I always had the perception gift lounges were quiet affairs where celebrities and their handlers would come in at their leisure, grab stuff and then go into hiding again, but at least in the case of the Rafi gifting lounge, it was a party.
The first thing I saw upon arrival was a girl walking around with an antebellum dress full of champagne glasses (she later switched to wine, all from local Temecula Valley winery Wilson Creek).
After the gift bag lounge gifters packed up and left, classic bands played on a stage, The Temptations, The Platters and the Grammy-winning group Mary Mary. The whole event could be simply described in one word: fun.
I went in not knowing what to expect and left impressed. Very impressed.
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