The stars aligned for amfAR's New York Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, where Natasha Richardson opened a stellar evening of fundraising for AIDS research. Actress/comedienne Whoopi Goldberg, MTV Networks vice chairman Bill Roedy, and M.A.C AIDS Fund chairman John Demsey received amfAR's Award of Courage for outstanding service on behalf of the foundation. Award presentations were made by Richard Gere, Eve, and Beyoncé Knowles.

Woody Allen offered a touching tribute to Dr. Mathilde Kim, cofounder of amfAR in 1985 along with Elizabeth Taylor. And Sharon Stone received the inaugural Roy London Award for her longstanding support and commitment to the fight against AIDS.

The pitch-perfect evening included a performance by singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, with A-list attendees including Kim Cattrall, Carol Alt, Petra Nemcova, Sigourney Weaver, Cheyenne Jackson, Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera, Stanley Tucci, Carey Lowell, Donna Karan, David Brenner, Gary Shandling, Lauren Turak, Vincent Roberti, Maria Cuomo Cole, and Mary Alice Stephenson.