France News Daily: Louvre Raises $3.5 Million at Gala, Janet Jackson Performs

Louvre Museum Gala Raises $3.5 million in Fundraiser Karen Fawcett BonjourParis France News Daily PARIS, June 15—It was hopping in the apartments of the Louvre last night when the rich, famous and beautiful (and naturally the paparazzi) assembled for the Liaisons au Louvre II bash that raised more than $3.5 million for the museum. Napoléon III would have been smiling if he could have seen Janet Jackson performing in a full-blown rock show that brought the house down. The Champagne reception for 300 guests was the culmination of three days of tout A-list partying and from all reports event chair Becca Cason Thrash pulled off a not-to-be-believed coup by assembling such notables as: Prince Albert of Monaco, film star Diane Kruger and her steady Joshua Jackson, designer Naeem Khan and wife Ranjana, French actress Fanny Ardant, Duran Duran’s John Taylor and wife Gela Nash Taylor. French Minister of Culture Frédéric Mitterand praised the success of event chair Becca Thrash, an American philanthropist from Texas who has been associated with Louvre fundraising programs for several years. “The Americans have done so much for culture in France. They saved Versailles and Giverny,” said Mitterand. “I can only applaud the efforts of Mrs. Thrash, who is one of those prominent Americans who have wonderfully spent much time and effort to save these precious things we are fortunate to have in this country.” US Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin and wife Susan Tolson waited with other guests at the Richelieu secured entrance to the Louvre, after which they and other guests were ushered to a Champagne reception on the balcony overlooking the Louvre courtyard and I.M Pei-designed glass pyramid. The US Ambassador stated, “This evening is so symbolic of the relationship between America and France. More than 1 million Americans visit the Louvre every year. The American Friends of the Louvre serves as a model for museum fundraising.” Sources: Premiere   Not yet subscribed to BonjourParis? Please help yourself to a free subscription for French travel guides, news from France and Paris lifestyle stories delivered to your in-box twice weekly.