Rock the Kasbah is an annual gala fundraiser co-hosted by Sir Richard Branson and his mother

Eve Branson Evette Huntley Branson (née Flindt; 12 July 1924 – 8 January 2021) was a British philanthropist, child welfare advocate, and the mother of Richard Branson. Life and career Branson was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, England, the daughter of Dor ...

. Funds raised go to Richard Branson's Virgin Unite foundation and also to the Eve Branson Foundation. The first Rock the Kasbah event was held on July 2, 2007 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Richard Branson attended the event in formal Moroccan wear and arrived at the event by way of horseback. Branson described the first Rock the Kasbah event as "one of the best parties I've ever been to" and musical guest Jewel performed. Funds raised at this event, via ticket sales and live and silent auctions, went to help build schools in the

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of Morocco, as well as three villages near Kasbah Tamadot. Celebrity guests included Buzz Aldrin and Rachel Hunter. The 2008 Rock the Kasbah event was also held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on October 23 in Los Angeles, California. Celebrity guests at that year's gala included Salma Hayek and

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. While at the event, Theron said that Richard Branson "is an incredibly compassionate human being and is coming up with really innovative ways, under this umbrella of this foundation that he has, to really give back." Also in attendance were Neve Campbell and Natalie Imbruglia. Richard Branson was unable to attend the 2008 event due to being at sea in an attempt to set a transatlantic sailing record. In 2009, Rock the Kasbah was held at Vibiana on October 26 in Los Angeles, California, with a mix of Moroccan and Hollywood theme. Gavin Rossdale performed and some of the celebrities in attendance were

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, Sharon Stone, and Estelle. The 2010 event took place on November 11 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California, with the goal to raise at minimum $500,000. At the event, Colbie Caillat and

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performed together on stage. Sam Branson, son of Richard Branson, also performed at the event with his band Delilah. Items up for auction included a 7-night stay on Branson's own Necker Island, and a Triumph Daytona 675 World Supersport motorcycle. Celebrity guests included

Jennifer Love Hewitt Jennifer Love Hewitt (born February 21, 1979) is an American actress and singer. Hewitt began her career as a child actress and singer, appearing in national television commercials before joining the cast of the Disney Channel series ''Kids I ...

, Justin Long, and musician Yoshiki. The fifth annual Rock the Kasbah event took place on November 16, 2011 and was held at Boulevard3 in Los Angeles, California. Performers playing at the 2011 Rock the Kasbah event included

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, the Pussycat Dolls, and

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. Celebrities in attendance included Richard Branson and his mother, Eve Branson, Paris Hilton, Geena Davis,

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, and others. Items up for bid during the live auction included the opportunity to name a Virgin America airplane, a trip to meet Ben and Jerry and create a

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ice cream flavor, an opportunity to swim with the sharks and Richard Branson, and more. Prior to the event, on 1 November 2011, a full-page ad on the back cover of

Daily Variety ''Variety'' is an American media company owned by Penske Media Corporation. The company was founded by Sime Silverman in New York City in 1905 as a weekly newspaper reporting on theater and vaudeville. In 1933 it added ''Daily Variety'', based ...

magazine listed over 50 logos of the apparent partners in this event, including Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic,

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, Tiffany & Co.,

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, Gilt, Charitybuzz, and many others. Rock the Kasbah 2011 was broadcast live (for the first time) on Livestream.com, an internet streaming channel.

References

{{reflist
Rock the KasbahSplash MagazinesLook to the Stars: The World of Celebrity GivingPopsugar (Sugar Inc.)GrabNetworks - CelebNews (video)I'm Not ObsessedBush-Music.comRed Carpet Fashion Awardstonic.comMaximo TV (video)
Charity events in the United States Virgin Group