At the Elton John Aids Foundation Oscar viewing party, the real bash didn’t start until long after the last statuette was handed out.
That’s when serious partying began, thanks to a riveting concert by Nile Rodgers and Chic that ended with a jam session featuring Elton John on piano and Craig Robinson and Lil Kim dancing on stage.
The 22nd annual event drew a celebrity crowd that included Miley Cyrus, Heidi Klum, Sarah Hyland, Beck, the Band Perry, Smokey Robinson, Sia, Camilla Belle and John Stamos.
The audience hardly paid rapt attention to the Oscar telecast — they milled about socialising and taking trips to the bar during the show, which ran over three and a half hours.
Things changed once Rodgers hit the stage: He energized the room during his 45-minute set. The renowned producer, who has made blockbuster hits for over three decades, dug deep into his well of hits for his performance Sunday night, from songs he made for others (David Bowie’s Let’s Dance) to Chic classics (I Want Your Love, Le Freak).
Craig Robinson, who came prepared for things to heat up by bringing a hand-held fan, partied near the stage, while John sat nearby. On the last song — Chic’s Good Times — Rodgers pointed at Robinson, a musician himself, and invited him on the stage.
“Wanna come up here and have a little hot tub?” Rodgers said, referencing Robinson’s comedy Hot Tub Time Machine 2.
“Now we’ve got the man who can take us back in time,” he said.
More of the crowd joined Rodgers on stage, including Lil Kim, and soon, John himself.
