Jennifer Lopez, headlined at the set with L.A, sports stars in the sixth celebration of Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Blue Diamond Gala on Thursday. The event was first since 2019 due to the pandemic.
In at the event, dubbed “The Party for L.A.,” raised a record-breaking $3.6 million for LADF. The foundation aims to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos and, since 1995, and has invested more than $40 million in programs and grants to nonprofits throughout the city. The gala also feted LADF’s “Everyday Champions,” whose work in the community was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic but who were able to step up to the plate and make a difference.
The Dodgers roster was on hand with the stars including Clayton Kershaw, Mookie Betts, Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger, as well as manager Dave Roberts in an event. The attendees were Venus Williams, Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter and L.A. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss.
Mario Lopez and former Dodger Adrián González served as emcees for the evening, which kicked off with a dinner and pre-party outside of Dodger Stadium before taking the celebration to the field.
Lopez told the crowd in the speech, “This is a big night for all of y’all, and a big night for me too.” “They told me that 8.8 million children’s lives are touched by this foundation every year. Give yourselves a round of applause, a pat on the back,” she later added. “We all know that children are going to take over this world and we need to take care of them, raise them right, teach them how to give, give them what they need, and to help one another. That’s really why you’re here tonight.”
Lopez took the stage for a stadium worthy concert in the final hours, performing her hits amid five costume changes and elaborate choreography with a dozen backup dancers. The star fresh off of her Netflix documentary Halftime, following her 2020 Super Bowl performance also brought one of her children out for a duet.
There were also the featured performances from the Inglewood High School Marching Band, the MACES Band, and the Woodcraft Rangers Mariachi and Folklorico Program from Middleton Elementary School. The gala ended with a post-show party featuring Dodgers DJ Severe and food from California Pizza Kitchen, Dunkin’, Melissa’s Produce, Milk Bar and In-N-Out.
