Saturday, May 21, 2011

Life Ball Trumps Apocalypse Tonight

While there's someone in the States saying today is the end of the world, there's a large crowd in Vienna tonight celebrating life. Vienna's Life Ball, thought to be Europe's largest charity event, supports AIDS charities and this year marks the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the HIV virus. Attendees were asked to dress in creative, stylish outfits in keeping with this year's theme, "Spread the Wings of Tolerance."

Guests walked, danced and did acrobatics down the pink carpet between the Rathaus and the Berg Theater.


Flocks of pink flamingo balloons were for sale and many could be seen floating in the skies above Vienna about an hour after this photo was taken.


White hair, wings, rhinestones and feathers seemed to be the order of the evening:


...along with spacey costumes...



...a few smooches...


...some pink skin...


...beehive hairdos...


...horse headdresses...




...and mysterious masks.


Show girls pause to give an interview:


Ruffled ball dresses made of bubble wrap:


The theme was interpreted at least twice as pilots:


and flight attendants:


4 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing those photos, Martha! Someone invited me to go at the last minute, but I neither had costume nor fancy dress to wear. The photos are very festive!

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  2. Hi Rhonda,
    Next year, just get some bubble wrap, fashion yourself a magnificent gown and go to the ball!

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  3. Fantastic pictures, looks as if you all had a lot of fun!
    I had lectures, unfortunately.

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  4. Thanks, Merisi,
    Sorry you had to work while so many in Vienna were playing. It was great fun to see the imaginative outfits.

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