Storm cuts short start of Austrian Life Ball

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[July 19, 2010]  VIENNA (AP) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and others ran for cover as the opening of a flashy Austrian AIDS gala was cut short by a fierce thunderstorm.

InsuranceAppearances by Clinton, burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese and Patti LaBelle had to be skipped after authorities issued a weather warning and ordered the packed square in front of Vienna's city hall to be cleared Saturday night.

The 18th annual party -- a fundraiser for people with HIV and AIDS -- each year attracts thousands of revelers in quirky costumes who dance until dawn in the vast neo-gothic building -- often wearing nothing more than the bare minimum.

Take Hans Peter Aigner, a 44-year-old from Innsbruck, whose outfit consisted of white and blue body paint, black patent leather plateau boots and tiny white hot pants.

"This is my 12th Life Ball -- We're never going to miss another one," he said, motioning to a group of friends in similarly sparse attire.

Saturday night's show also should have included an address by actress Whoopi Goldberg and a video message from Sharon Stone, as well as a fashion show with designs by Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein and Diane von Furstenberg.

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But those lucky enough to have tickets to enter city hall didn't seem too perturbed about missing all that due to the downpour.

"It's just a shame for those who can't be here -- this is great," said 30-year-old Maha Elaser as she and a friend -- both dressed in strategically placed fake leaves, among other things -- enjoyed a drink under an awning in the courtyard as live music acts performed throughout the building.

This year's bash served as a prelude to an international AIDS conference that kicks off in Vienna Sunday and is expected to draw thousands of policymakers, activists and experts.

___

Online:

The Life Ball: http://www.lifeball.org/

[Associated Press; By VERONIKA OLEKSYN]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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