Mad About MOCA

(LOS ANGELES) When Lady Gaga appears out of the mist accompanied by a masked Francesco Vezzoli, who is furiously threading a needlepoint, you know you must be at MOCA. They came in droves Saturday night for the Museum of Contemporary Art's 30th Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles, as the stars formed a dazzling constellation for an evening honoring art with a private preview of the new collection. Major players including Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Gwen Stefani, Pierce Brosnan, Kate Beckinsale, Marisa Tomei, James Franco, Eva Mendes, Miuccia Prada, Chloe Sevigny,  Carine Roitfeld, Christina Ricci, and scads more showed for a fête of mammoth proportions.

The museum's usual strict ban on food and drink near priceless pieces of art was lifted for the night, as platters of mini burgers and bowls of borscht found their way into the gallery, and culture-seekers soaked in works by Diane Arbus, Andy Warhol, Ed Moses, Nan Goldin, and many more iconic artists. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (who were given a private tour) were particularly enthralled by a Mark Rothko painting. The intoxicating aroma of coco lured guests into the Edward Ruscha chocolate room. Marisa Tomei ventured a bit too close, and Cameron Silver had to advise his friend not to rub up against the walls dripping in chocolate. "I was very concerned!" Silver confessed.

Tomei and guests did not sample the candy walls, saving room for supper. Feeding a gaggle 1,000 is no simple feat, and the illustrious Wolfgang Puck brewed up a savory chicken dinner. Michael York delivered an informative history lesson on the Ballet Russes, followed by a brief, but fabulously captivating performance titled, "Ballet Russes Italian Style (The Shortest Musical You Will Never See Again)." Symphonic music and flickering chandeliers announced Lady Gaga's entrance, as she approached her Damien Hirst-designed rotating pink grand piano. The audience perked up, and the dramatic tension was palpable. Bolshoi dancers swept the stage and a masked Vezzoli threaded his needlepoint during Lady Gaga's performance of "Speechless," although he did not reveal his handiwork at the show's finale.

After the performance ended, the Pepto pink piano sold to Larry Gagosian for a staggering $450,000 while the "Price is Right" theme played. Although the dinner and performance was an absolute resplendent haven of high culture and glamour, the only aspect out of place was the port-a-potties, which Zoe Saldana approached with great trepidation, clad in Marchesa. Guests, dizzy from the assault of performing arts and weighted down by their hefty goodie bags, dashed out the doors after a satisfying celebration of influential art and bang-out bashes.