Antonio Banderas joins friends for a Star Spangled event in Marbella

The Starlite Gala, which gathered together a firmament of stars at the Villa Padierna Hotel Marbella, has put the resort back on the A-list map.
Sultry A-lister, Eva Longoria, one of the Hollywood stars of the über popular TV series, Desperate Housewives was shining bright in Marbella last week at the most talked about event of the season.  The starry brunette was co-hosting the much anticipated Starlite Gala, which was supporting three worthwhile causes in USA, Spain and Mexico. The brainchild of Eva Longoria’s good friends Maria Bravo and Sandra Gª Sanjuan, Marbella was the chosen location of the first edition of the benefit gala, aptly “illuminated by the stars.”

The Super A-list Gala

The Starlite Gala, which took place on 7th August at the sumptuous Hotel Villa Padierna west of Marbella – at the very same time that America’s First Lady was in residence. Attended by a firmament of A-list celebrities, Eva Longoria found herself in impeccable company. Co-hosting with the Malaga-born super star actor, Antonio Banderas, the star of El Zorro was accompanied by his lovely wife Melanie Griffith and the couple’s daughter Stella del Carmen. Eva’s hunk of a husband, Tony Parker, was also  among the personalities attending the stellar society event.

Joining Eva, Antonio and co on the red carpet sweeping far inside the marble masterpiece were Boris Becker and his wife Lilly Kerssenberg,  and many well known Spanish faces including radio great Luis del Olmo, top model Eugenia Silva, Gunilla von Bismarck, Carmen Lomana and Adriana Karembeu among a host of other well known personalities.
The guest of honour was none other than Deepak Chopra, the spiritual guru whose teachings and books have changed the lives of millions. Chopra was about to receive the Starlite Humanitarian Prize 2010 for his outstandingly positive contribution to the world’s well-being.

The celebrities took a walk of glory, posing for around 100 press photographers as they made their way to the elegant grounds of the hotel to enjoy an al fresco cocktail party.

Guests were lead through magnificent halls, decorated with artistically displayed flamenco gowns and floral creations, before being seated in the magnificent ballroom for a 5-star feast. A ippluxurious raffle offered guests the chance of winning a magnificent array of gifts from leading companies, while the hosts had offered a day on set with the lovely Eva Longoria, while Banderas dedicated tickets to his broadway show of Zorro and a chance to dine with him afterwards!  Guests also bid on a number of high calibre auction items including three new models of Ford signed on the evening by the hosts!

The entertainment was a high calibre affair, with Spain’s  David de Maria, EBS, Rafael Amargo, Soraya, Angela Carrasco, Chenoa, Manu Tenorio y Tamara all hitting the stage to support the underprivileged children at the heart of the evening. The charities receiving funds from the Starlite Gala in Marbella include Eva’s Heroes, Fundación Lagrimas y Favores and Niños en Alegría.

For further information  www.thestarlitegala.com