Aspen's BIG BLUE: Light it up Blue 2015

In it's third year LIGHT it UP BLUE Aspen has earned it's spot in the pantheon of amazing Aspen events.  The Light it Up Blue bash benefits Autism Speaks and Ascendigo (formerly Extreme Sports Camps).  In 3 short years LIUB as become a big blue highlight on the jam-packed Aspen social scene.

Click 4 Pix:  ASPEN's BIG BLUE

LIUB Aspen was hosted by Dr. Jennifer Berman from TV's The Doctors and Johnny Moseley Olympic Gold Medal winning freestyle skier and included music from Project M out of L.A.  The rowdy live auction raised plenty of gelt.

The Aspen ladies always look striking in Blue and LIUB Aspen proves it every year.   Decked out in cocktail attire the fully VIP crowd dined on a sumptuous selection of  vittles.  The seafood tower is always a fan favorite.  Lobbys, oysters, huge crab legs ...lets just say A. Party hit it early and often.  Most of the revelers headed straight for the open bar as the good times started immediately.

The name change from Extreme Sports Camps to Ascendigo is an interesting choice. Maybe its a tax thing?  I for one, actually read the program which explained the logic behind Ascendigo.  The new name does not change the fact that the organization still provides experiential and community based learning that has an extremely positive impact on the lives of those with autism.  I was excited to learn about "The Yellow House" in Carbondale which houses several young adults who live with autism.  Autism now effects 1 in 68 children which is a striking fact.  It is the fastest growing childhood disability.   So HUGE thanks to those who contributed and partied with a purpose.  Click to learn more about Ascendigo/Extreme sports Camp. and Autism Speaks.

In consultation with Dr. Berman...and I concur.  Light it Up Blue Aspen is the real deal.   Get your tix for next year because this party is getting bigger, better and bluer.

CLICK 4 PIX:  ASPEN's BIG BLUE

Light it up BLUE: Aspen for Autism

The Historic Hotel Jerome bathed in blue for Light it Up Blue Aspen. an event for Autism Awareness.Light it Up Blue Aspen (LIUB) hosted their 3rd annual gala in Aspen to increase awareness and raise funds for autism charities.  The beneficiaries of the evening were EXTREME SPORTS CAMP and AUTISM SPEAKS.  Extreme Sports Camp is a local Aspen organization that creates innovative activities and experiences for those with autism. It's community based and provides experiential learning that improves the campers health, personal growth and social engagement.   Autism Speaks is the World's leading autism science and advocacy organization.  Autism speaks is active in 40 countries on 5 continents.   Give the links a click and support these worthy organizations generously.

Click 4 Pix.  LIGHT IT UP BLUE, ASPEN

The Light It Up Blue gala in Aspen certainly raised the bar this year. Co-Organizers Julie Royer Manning, Rene Mackie and Sheryl Barto thought of everything.  The event was held at The Hotel Jerome and was first class all the way. ESP Productions and Esther Pearlstone rolled out the "blue carpet" as everything was perfect.  The silent auction and live auction were filled with awesome items.  Bidding was furiously competitive and we're still waiting on a final tally of the money raised.

The gala's honorees included Jacqueline and Chris Laurita, from Real House Wives of New Jersey and parents of an autistic child.  Jacqueline called herself a "warrior mom" in the battle against autism. Also honored was Ari Greenberg and Andrea Lee, a Hollywood power couple.  Ari was a founding partner of Endeavor and is now a partner in William Morris Endeavor where he heads the television department.   Ari and Andrea are parents to a child with autism and they have been instrumental in raising money and awareness about autism in L.A.

Everybody was modeling at Light it Up Blue, Aspen The good times were flowing all night long.   A ridiculous and plentiful array of food and drinks were available to the attendees.  An obvious highlight LIUB was the seafood tower (my favorite) was overflowing  with HUGE jumbo shrimp, oysters, lobster and crab legs.  It was a beautiful thing.   Some people are eaters...some are drinkers...I happen to be both.  

The entertainment was phenomenal.  John Popper (from Blues Traveler) fronted the Vail party band, Brother's Keeper...featuring semi-locals  Michael Jude and John Michel and Jono Manson.  Popper was very friendly with the late Billy Reiger who got involved with Extreme Sports Camp via his relationship with Olivia Manning, Julie's daughter who battles autism.   Popper and Brother's Keeper put on a "helluva show" and the crowd danced and partied late into the night.  

Light It Up Blue Aspen was an early kick-off to International Autism Awareness month coming this April.  Autism is a disorder of neural development that affects information processing to the brain. There are thrilling stories about autistic children who reach personal break throughs via the outdoor activities they experience for the first time at Extreme Sports Camp.  Extreme Sports Camp is doing ground-breaking work right here in the Roaring Fork Valley.  There is no question that everyone loved eating, drinking and jamming with Popper at LIUB...but the main mission was never forgotten.  Once again...we were partying with a purpose in Aspen.

Click 4 Pix.  LIGHT IT UP BLUE, ASPEN

Extreme Sports Camp...doing great things in Aspen for those who battle autism

Just the Girls.Team Joey.John Popper jammed with Brother's Keeper at Light it up Blue, Aspen to support Autism awareness

Light It Up Blue: Aspen

Click to learn more about Autism.Light It Up Blue lit up the snowy sky in Aspen tonight. 

Light It Up Blue (LIUB) is a worldwide campaign for autism awareness commemorating the United Nations-designated World Autism Awareness Day and the kick off to Autism Awareness Month. LIUB entails the blue lighting of more than 7000 landmarks across the globe.  Some of my favorite spots will be LIUB'd including Sydney's Opera House, Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue, The Great Pyramids in Egypt and even the Empire State Building in NYC.

 Click the Pix: LIGHT IT UP BLUE: ASPEN

It is estimated that 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys are affected by Autism. LIUB shines a blue light on Autism, which is a complex set of developmental brain disorders that is a growing health problem globally.

Aspen, given it's iconic status in the ski world has gathered together to support LIUB.  AspenSpin attended the posh gala at The Little Nell and skied a few laps on Aspen Mountain in support of LIUB: Aspen's Vertical Blue program.  Vertical Blue pledged to ski 1 million vertical feet in a fun raising exercise at all four mountains in Aspen.

LIUB Aspen's Gala honored Ed Brown, CEO of Paton, actor Max Burkholder who plays Max Braverman on NBC's  Parenthood and celebrity chef Franklin Becker. The beneficiaries of the funds raised by LIUB Aspen are Autism Speaks and Extreme Sports Camp which provides athletic experience for autism.

The gala was super-sweet and attended by a glittering crowd of blue-clad supporters.  Aspen Mountain shined in blue...although the display was somewhat distorted by the POW POW that we received tonight. 

Please share the love on-line and off with LIUB. 

Click 4 pix:  LIGHT IT UP BLUE: ASPEN

Light It Up Blue: Aspen A campaign for Autism Awareness. Click 4 pix.The room was bathed in Blue. Light It Up Blue: Aspen Click 4 pix.Patron CEO , Ed Brown and his wife. Chief supporters of Light It Up Blue : Aspen. Click 4 pix.It was a BIG night in Aspen for Light It Up Blue. Click 4 pix.