Celebrity and charity mingled at Alicia Keys' eighth annual Black Ball in New York.
The gala celebrated the efforts of Keys' organization Keep a Child Alive, which helps children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
This year's event recognized late Beatle George Harrison's generous contributions.
SOUNDBITE: Alicia Keys, singer, saying (English):
"He was one of the first musical artists that created an event such as this where he invited his friends, his musician friends to really do something for a cause and it was the Concert for Bangladesh. So that's been 40 years and I think he really paved the way for an evening like tonight and we wanted to honor him for really having that vision."
Since becoming a mom to one-year-old son Egypt, Keys says her enthusiasm for KCA has intensified.
SOUNDBITE: Alicia Keys, singer, saying (English):
"It's always been very important to me and that passion hasn't wavered but I do think understanding a child and what if my child was totally left out there and nobody paid any attention to his needs, you know, it does make it all that more powerful."
And Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am feels that power, saying Keys' charity efforts are the real deal.
SOUNDBITE: will.i.am, musician, saying (English):
"She's not some artist and the managers doing all the work. This is her, so I have to applaud her, I would travel all around the world, I would come from Mars to earth to help her out and do the things I can do to make this event and her philanthropy successful."
And successful it was.
This year's ball raised over raised over $3 million U.S. dollars.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.