Gloria Estefan, Cheyenne Jackson & More Perform at Life Ball, 5/19 - Bill Clinton, Melanie Griffith, et al. to Speak

Tonight, May 19, 2012, a host of performers and dignitaries will take part in the 20th Anniversary Life Ball Gala at City Hall in Vienna Austria.

An estimated 40,000 visitors will attend and millions will watch the live broadcast of Life Ball, Europe's largest charity event supporting people with HIV or AIDS. This year's speakers and performers include; President Bill Clinton, United Nations UNAIDS / Executive Director Michel Sidibé, actresses Milla Jovovich and Melanie Griffith, and poet Maya Angelou. Live performances will take place by Scissor Sisters, Gloria Estefan, and Cheyenne Jackson.

This year's them "Fight the Flames of Ignorance" is dedicated to the element of fire - after water, earth and air, the fourth element fire completes the four-year theme cycle begun in 2009.

A main highlight of the evening will be, VOGUE Italia hosts the 20th Anniversary Life Ball Fashion Show presented by MINI.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, Franca Sozzani, Editor in Chief of Italian VOGUE creates an arc from the past to the present by show casing creations of former Life Ball designers as well as the most legendary looks of the last two decades.

The cooperation with the Italian VOGUE was enabled by MINI, one of the most important Life Ball partners.

In the last years many international fashion designers, such as Donatella Versace, Gianfranco Ferré, Renzo Rosso for Diesel, Missoni, and photographer Mario Testino have designed a Life Ball MINI.

In this anniversary year of Life Ball, Franca Sozzani, Editor in Chief of Italian VOGUE and UN goodwill ambassador will join the ranks of Life Ball MINI Designers. A reunion of all designer MINIs from the past 19 years and the entrance of the 2012 Life Ball MINI will start the magenta carpet. American singer Cheyenne Jackson will accompany the entering parade with the world premiere live performance of his new song "Drive".