Lady Antebellum Headlines Concert for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital

The third annual Concert for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital had it all–luxe, laughter, and Lady Antebellum. The Grammy award-winning band opened their hearts and wallets and joined funnyman Dana Carvey, MC Hammer, best-selling author Tony Robbins, and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom to raise money for the children’s hospital’s brand new home.

All in all, the night was a huge success. 100% of the ticket sales to the sold out benefit show went directly the hospital, topping out at a cool $4.5 million. Here’s how the hundreds of generous philanthropists celebrated the cause.

The festivities kicked off with a classy, candlelit cocktail party with just the right amount ritz. Attendees nibbled on mini muffalettas filled with mortadella and smoked ham, organic crudite, tomato and mozerrella skewers, vegetarian jambalaya cakes. and red velvet cupcakes. The stunning centerpieces atop each cocktail table were perfect conversation starters and really complemented the dreamy, pale pink decor. Post appetizers, guests settled into lush couches and prepared to toast the night’s first act.

Before taking the stage for a near hour-long set that had attendees rolling in the aisles, comedian Dana Carvey schmoozed with Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, Salesforce CEO and the man behind the night, Marc Benioff, and the always-charming Tony Robbins. The peak performance strategist’s emotional tour of the hospital fortified his decision to donate 100% of the proceeds from his latest book, Pathways to Growth: 9 Disciplines to Create Sales Breakthroughs in Turbulent Times, to the new hospital.

“I came up to see the kiddoes and it hit me in the heart. You can’t see the preemie babies and not want to do something,” said Robbins. “I’m not from San Francisco but children are universal and I want to make a difference.”

Ending the night on a high note, country stars Lady Antebellum rocked out to neon strobe lights and twangy guitar rifts. Country fan or not, the talented trio’s infectious pop lyrics are addicting. They just may have outperformed last year’s headliner, Alanis Morissette. But before their knockout performance, the group visited the hospital and were blown away by some very special people.

“The kids were unbelievable, they light up the room, every single one of them that walk in,” says lead singer, Hillary Scott. “But seeing how unbelievably happy the staff are to be there and their focus on giving the kids the best experience they possibly can was amazing to see. It was beautiful.”

The compassionate trio donated their entire $50,000 performance fee to the hospital.

For more information on the new hospital’s progress and how you can make a difference, head to their interactive online home.