A Christmas party was hosted by Liz Brewer to honour Dame Shirley Bassey. The party took place at Papageno's Restaurant in Covent Garden, London and it is reported that Shirley sang to a celebrity packed audience which included stars from the world of television and politics.


Photos © OK! Magazine 2004


Photos © Getty Images 2004

The following pictures were kindly sent to me by famous Dutch singer Ronnie Tober, who was lucky enough to have attended the event. He is pictured left on both photos:


Photos © Jan Jochems
 

"Well done Wales. Well done Cardiff!" - Dame Shirley Bassey's reaction to the opening of the Wales Millennium Centre, located just a stone's throw from where she grew up. The doors to the spectacular building were officially opened with a key that had been travelling around the world. The building cost over 100 million pounds to build, and is set to attract millions of visitors, flocking to the many events that are to be staged there.

Dame Shirley was one of five Welsh legends who were honoured as the first recipients of a series of annual awards. Stage and screen celebrities including Sir Ian McKellen, Derek Jacobi, Michael Ball, Robert Hardy and Ruth Madoc were amongst those paying tribute. Even Nana Mouskouri, as part of a mutual fan club with Dame Shirley, sang in Welsh during the tribute. Soprano Dame Gwyneth Jones, actors Sian Phillips and the late Richard Burton, and composer Alun Hoddinott were also honoured.



External Link: Wales Millennium Centre
 

A host of glamorous celebrities including Dame Shirley Bassey attended the Helping Hands awards ceremony at London's Tate Modern. The event was part of a month-long celebration for the National Lottery's tenth anniversary to recognise the charitable causes that have benefited from National Lottery money. The event was hosted by Cilla Black with Duncan James from Blue.



External Link: National Lottery Good Causes
 

Dame Shirley Bassey travelled from her home in Monte Carlo to Switzerland, where she attended a gala dinner in Geneva in aid of UNESCO. As one of the organisation's 'Artists for Peace', Dame Shirley Bassey headlined a host of stars who attended the special event and donated many lots to a successful auction which helped raise a significant amount for the charity. Although Shirley didn't sing at the event, she is reported in German magazine 'Gala' to have commented that she is "taking a year out at the moment."



Thanks to Astrid for providing information on this event
 

Dame Shirley Bassey and friend Beaudoin Mills were amongst guests at the launch party for Joan Collins' latest novel 'Misfortune's Daughters.' The party took place at Frankies restaurant in Knightsbridge, London. Other celebrities attending the event included Cilla Black and Esther Rantzen.

'Misfortune's Daughters' is described as 'a compelling novel which plunged the reader into a glamorous world infused with intrigue and power, revealing some dark and shocking secrets along the way.' It is available now from bookshops, published by Robson Books.



External Link: Joan Collins Official Site
 

A gala dinner took place as part of the first international Anti-Ageing Conference which has been taking place in London. The event took place at the mansion of Heather Bird, president of HB Health, one of the leading anti-ageing clinics and a major sponsor of the Anti-Ageing Conference.

The Conference included many speakers from the world of anti-ageing and health, discussing the scientific issues behind living longer and re-affirming the declaration that new scientific developments can prolong life to 120.

Dame Shirley Bassey attended the conference to pick up tips on health and looking younger, but judging from her appearance it seems she is already doing a very good job of that! Other celebrities in attendance included Brigitte Nielsen and Diana Moran.

External Link: Anti-Ageing Conference Official Site
 

The Monaco Red Cross Ball took place on Friday 6th August 2004 in the enchanting setting of the Salle des Etoiles at the Sporting Monte-Carlo. Entertainment was provided by singer Lionel Richie who gave a unique concert and the evening was compered by a duo of Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi and Woody Allen. The tombola was presented by Corinne Coman (Miss France 2003) and Gaël Leforestier, and the sumptuous prizes including a vintage cigarette case from the 50’s in solid gold and a decorated lid set with three hundred and thirty four sapphires which was offered by Van Cleef & Arpels. The soirée featured music by the Orchestre du Sporting Monte-Carlo, arranged and conducted by François Legrand, Monte-Carlo Violins and Banda Bananeira. Dance routines were performed by 'Soul Circus'. A dazzling fireworks display brought the evening to an end in an explosion of colours which lit up the skies of Monte-Carlo.



Information provided by Sporting Monte-Carlo © 2004
 

Elton John welcomed a roll-call of glamorous celebs to his Windsor mansion on Thursday night, when the pop legend hosted his annual White Tie And Tiara Ball. Now in its sixth year, the lavish bash has become one of the hottest tickets in Britain's social calendar. And this year's event was no exception, with a VIP guestlist including the likes of Elle Macpherson, Ivana Trump and Dame Shirley Bassey.

Liz Hurley was turning heads in a figure-hugging white dress and matching tiara, while Kylie Minogue likewise made an impression in a floral chiffon number. Ozzy Osbourne was meanwhile accompanied by his wife Sharon and children Jack and Kelly, while rock veteran Rod Stewart was escorted by leggy girlfriend Penny Lancaster.

The film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was the inspiration for this year's party, and Sir Elton pulled out all the stops to make it a night to remember. Chinese acrobats somersaulted through the air while Buddhist monks filled the gardens with the sound of their chanting. Shirley is pictured right with restaurant entrepreneur Prady Balan.

Once everyone had arrived, the guests settled into a five-course Chinese banquet, before Sir Ian McKellen compered an evening of entertainment from artists including Mary J Blige, Bryan Adams and, of course, the host himself. There was also a charity auction to raise money for Sir Elton's Aids charity, with lots including an Aston Martin DB9, a Damien Hirst painting and one of the musician's beloved pianos.

© Hello Magazine 2004

Dame Shirley Bassey and other stars turned out in force to support the Galapagos Conservation Trust at their Gala Dinner held at Chelsea Physic Garden on Thursday 17th June. Other celebrities and guests attending the event included Countess Raine Spencer (pictured left with Dame Shirley), The Marquess of Bath, Ivana Trump, Lady Isabelle Hervey and Prof David Bellamy. Over 280 people attended the £500 per head black tie event and were treated to a ground breaking performances including two fashion shows from world famous designers Eric Way and Bernard Chandron with dresses modelled by Catalina Guirado & Joanna Taylor, as well as Performances by Phixx, Keedie & Hayley Evetts. The event raised over £90,000 from the Gala auction run by Lord Archer and has been deemed a huge success by the Galapagos Conservation Trust. Shirley Bassey is pictured right with Heather Kerzner.

In the idyllic grounds of the Chelsea Physic Garden around their recently restored Victorian Conservatory, Dame Shirley Bassey sipped a special cocktail created by Dame Diana Rigg which was fuelled with Matusalem Rum. The cocktail was called "Dire Straits" which is "exactly where we all would have been if we had drunk much more of it!"

Commenting on the success of Some Enchanted Evening, Leonor Stjepic, Director of the Galapagos Conservation Trust said, this has been the most successful fund raiser of the Charity’s 9 year history here in the UK. We have been so pleased by the event we are looking to build on our success by making this an annual event – most appropriate considering it is our 10th Anniversary next year here in the UK and 170 year’s since Darwin first visited the Galapagos Islands.”

Other celebrities attending the event included Ross Burden, Maureen Lipman, Celia Imrie, Diana Moran, Grayson Perry, David Jenson, Toyah Wilcox, Ben Goldsmith, Oliver Tobias, Rolf Harris, Joanna Taylor, Phixx, Hayley Evetts, Keedie, Heather Bird, Robert Tchenguez, Sol Kersner, Jimmy Choo, Eric Way, Bernard Chandran, Tony Blackburn and Catalina Guirado.

External Link: Galapagos Conservation Trust
 

Travelling on one of Virgin Trains' new hi-tech tilting 'Pendolinos', not only was I surprised to find in-seat audio entertainment, but also pleased to discover Shirley Bassey featured on the 'Unforgettable' channel.

A short write-up could also be found in the audio section of the summer edition of the Virgin Trains magazine (see left) with a nice photo from the National Music Awards ceremony.

External Link: Virgin Pendolino Trains
 

Dame Shirley Bassey was among the select guests at the 2004 Rose Ball which has taken place in Monaco. The traditional ball was, as ever, a glamorous social event.

Princess Caroline, who arrived at the Sporting Club accompanied by both her brother Prince Albert and her husband Prince Ernst of Hanover, was hostess to several other regular attendees including designer Karl Lagerfeld, and actress Gina Lollabrigida.

The theme of this year's Ball was imperial China. As well as the thousands of roses traditionally used to decorate the venue at the specific request of Princess Grace, who founded the event, there were hanging Chinese lanterns, dragon-shaped lamps and hundreds of yards of richly-coloured satin ribbons.

Photo displayed with kind permission of Société des Bains de Mer, Monte Carlo © 2004
 

Shirley Bassey joined Cherie Booth, J.K. Rowling, Kate Moss and a host of other high-flying women for a "girl power" lunch with the Queen today. It was reported that Shirley rose from her sick bed to attend the event, which celebrates the cream of British female achievement.

The Queen was joined by the Princess Royal, the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Gloucester at the historic all-female event, which was the first of its kind to be held at Buckingham Palace.

Other celebrities including the teenage singer Charlotte Church and Heather Mills McCartney mingled with writers, academics and sports stars to mark the achievements of women.

Superstar entertainer Dame Shirley Bassey declared that the day had been long overdue. "I’m glad Her Majesty has done this. Men have had it their own way for too long," she said. The singer said the female members of the Royal family should be recognised for the work that they do. "They have achieved so I think they should be allowed some slack and people should get off their backs."
 

Singing Legend Sparkles at Bulgarian Bash

Dame Shirley Bassey - who this year was awarded France's highest accolade, the Legion d'Honneur -attended a lavish champagne party, at the Hyde Paris Gate residence of the Bulgarian Ambassador Valentin Dobrev. Dame Shirley and her fellow guests were entertained by the violinist Ching, The past year has been a landmark for the James-Bond theme legend - it saw her celebrate her 50th year in showbiz.

© OK Magazine 2004

The New Year has arrived with a bang in Australia with a spectacular firework extravaganza in Sydney. Crowds of revellers counted down to midnight, when a gong sparked off a huge sound and light display.

Music by Shirley Bassey blasted from speakers in front the Circular Quay area, as around one million people were expected to cram into Sydney for the celebrations.

Shirley Bassey was to be performing concerts in the area throughout 2004 in her Thank You for the Years Australasian Tour in April and May, and at Australian Vineyard Concerts in February. These concerts were subsequently cancelled.

 

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