I traded in the Big Apple for a little apple strudel last weekend andheaded off to Vienna to DJ at the annual Life Ball. Since 1993, this opulent celebration has raised money and awareness forHIV and AIDS. The city's breathtaking Gothic city hall is the perfect backdrop for its thousands of extravagantly, creatively costumed revelers. Though the event felt much more like a Klimt painting come to life, I couldn't help but thinkof my favorite Austrian family the Von Trapp's from The Sound of Music. Much like FrauleinMaria making curtains into dresses, people managed to take leaves,tinsel, fruit, garlands and other everyday objects and make them into elegant costumes.

The room was decorated like a Thai temple fitted with elephantstatues and a large golden Buddha. Singer Adam Dugas and harpist Mia Theodratus performed as did UK's Gateau Chocolat.Not to be outdone, the Buddha's belly opened wide and I came out of itfrom a lift below the stage to perform with Club Sandwich. (It's important to always make an entrance.)

Dita VonTeese, Patti Labelle, and speeches by Bill Clinton, Whoopi Goldbergand Sharon Stone were slated, but a thunderstorm cancelledthe acts along with a fashion show by Kenneth Cole, and Calvin Klein anda performance by the Rockettes dressed by Diane Von Furstenberg. Butwe didn't let a little rain dampen the mood, and the party continuedon till the break of dawn. To date, Life Ball has raised over 12million Euros... dancing the night away, being with frinds and raising money for AIDS? These are a few of my favorite things.