STARLITE GALA 2012
The third edition of the Starlite Gala took place on Saturday 4 August 2012. The gala was held in Marbella´s quarry turned auditorium 'Cantera de Nagüeles' and raised 267,861 euro from the sale of tickets and tables. The 2012 Gala saw the departure of Maria Bravo and Eva Longoria, who together in 2013 started a new Marbelle gala: The Global Gift Gala.
This year the Starlite Gala event took place within the Starlite Festival, a month of live musical performances (13th July - 14th August) by famous artists from all over the world, including: Hugh Laurie, George Benson, Tony Bennett and Julio Iglesias, among others. The Starlite Gala took place on 4th August at the 'Cantera de Nagüeles' in Nagüeles park, where all the concerts took place.
Special appearances were made by Antonio´s wife Melanie Griffith, her daughter Stella, and friend, American actress Daryl Hannah. As every year Antonio signed a Ford car to later auction for charity, as did special guest Daryl. Other guests included, Spanish Eurovision singer, Pastora Soler, Antonio Carmona, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, David Bisbal, Ana Obregon and Flamenco artist Ana Cecilia Gomez.
This year the Red Carpet event began at 20:30 followed by a cocktail reception, and a seated dinner catered by Paco Roncero´s El Bulli catering. The 2012 Starlite Humanitarian Award was presented to Anthony Kennedy Shriver, founder of "Best Buddies International". The gala also included the traditional "Auction of Experiences" whereby special life experiences and trips of a lifetime (this year including two tickets for the 2013 Oscars in Hollywood, and a night at the Royal Albert Hall with David Bisbal) time are auctioned off to raise funds for the gala´s charities. After the auction a special musical performance was given by guest of honour, John Secada. Later in the evening Antonio Banderas gave a one time performance with David Bisbal of "Canción de Mariachi"
