Host Sean Michaels held his third annual Erotic Ball in the Grand Ballroom of the Wyndham Hotel at LAX here the evening of August 8. \n Some sweeping changes meant this third incarnation of Michaels' "thank you" party to the adult industry would stand apart from his earlier efforts. \n Every woman in attendance received a long-stemmed rose as she picked up her badge in the foyer, where a handful of tables, a portable bar and plenty of standing room gave partiers a quiet spot to relax and chat; inside the ballroom, go-go dancers gyrated on-stage two at a time, a second bar dispensed drinks, and the hotel staff served a variety of food late into the night. A few hours into the evening, comedian James Bean entertained the crowd; and live performances by Brothers Forever More and the B-Side Players had several Ballers (and a couple of photographers) on their feet and dancing. \n Over in the press section, Alicia Rio spent much of the night giving - and then conducting - impromptu interviews for the cameras with Nina Hartley, Crystal Knight, Leanni Lei and others. Also on hand were Sharon Mitchell, Sindee Coxx, Blair La Femme, Santino Lee, Mr. Marcus, Julian St. Jox, Lexington Steele, Video Team owner Christian Mann, and several of the current crop of Elegant Angel in-house directors, including Stoney Curtis, Dion Giarusso and Dale Jordan. \n The highlight of the party was an erotic fashion show hosted by Michaels, which featured a lineup of gorgeous industry models including Midori and Tye, showing off some stunningly original and sexy designs from Naughty by Nature, Tammy Ellis, and others. \n The timing of the Ball (concurrent with the World Pornography Conference and the Free Speech Coalition's Night of the Stars) would seem to have assured a large crowd; unfortunately, many would-be partiers were left fatigued by the other events, and so passed on attending the Ball. \n "We still threw a great party," said Wayne "Biggie" Smalls of Human Nature Entertainment, which co-sponsored the event along with Sean Michaels Productions and Elegant Angel. "We've got food. We've got music. We've got girls. It's a great atmosphere." \n Smalls said that over half the guests who reserved space at the Ball attended. \n "It's been a big weekend for the industry and we know a lot of folks are tired," he added. "We want to thank everybody who came and showed their support. Hopefully, everybody will hear how great this one was and we'll see them all next time."
-- Ken Michaels
