A Shaggy, Sting-y night by the ocean raises more than $4 million for AIDS research

It was an exceptionally starry night on Palm Beach's north end as amfAR welcomed its warriors.

And we're not talking about just the night sky. There was plenty of star power on the ground for the third annual Palm Beach gala, which took place March 2 under a mammoth tent at the home of event chairs Lisa and James Cohen.

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The night began with a Hollywood-style red carpet walk to a step-and-repeat, then more red carpet to the cocktail tent and auction preview.

Once seated, guests heard from emcee Julianna Margulies, who expressed her hope that the HIV-focused storylines on her groundbreaking show "ER" were able to help move the needle forward. She then introduced the chairs, who noted that a cure for HIV was still urgently needed and reminded guests that the night was all about raising money.

And, apparently, chat. Also speaking were amfAR board co-chairs Kevin McClatchy and T. Ryan Greenawalt, and amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost.

The tribute to Dionne Warwick ― one of the night's two honorees, with Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger ― began with actress and singer Amber Riley performing a rendition of Warwick's "Don’t Make Me Over."

In his presentation speech, CEO Frost told of how Warwick’s activism impacted the AIDS epidemic and presented the singer with amfAR’s Award of Courage. Warwick, in turn, recalled the moment when she, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Elton John collaborated on "That’s What Friends Are For," and how Elizabeth Taylor asked if Warwick would “give” the song and its royalties to amfAR. She did, and the song won multiple Grammys and became an AIDS anthem.

After the live auction, fashion designer Tom Ford presented Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger with amfAR's Philanthropic Leadership Award. In her acceptance speech, she shared the credit with her husband, fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger.

After dinner, Margulies introduced 17-time Grammy Award-winning Sting, whose mini-concert included his hits "Roxanne," "An Englishman in New York" ― featuring surprise guest Shaggy ― and "Fragile."

Chairwomen, along with hostess Cohen, were Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Amy Phelan, and Michele Kessler. Chairmen, along with host James Cohen, were Barry Gibb, amfAR's McClatchy and Greenawalt, Tommy Hilfiger, John Phelan and Howard Kessler.

More than 600 people attended, including Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, Sylvester and Jennifer Stallone, Keith Lieberthal, Leonard Lauder, William Lauder and Aerin Lauder.

Proceeds assist amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, in its mission to support AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $635 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,800 grants to research teams worldwide.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: AIDS research benefit welcomes Sting, Margulies, Warwick