The Art of Elysium’s Heaven Gala Included a Sleepover-themed After-Party

Heaven is a place on Earth. The divine Rosewood Miramar in Montecito was even more dreamy than usual this week, as a starry crowd descended on the five-star hotel for the Art of Elysium’s annual Heaven Gala. Hosted once more at the elegant venue overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this year’s black tie affair honored filmmaker Lee Daniels with its hallmark Visionary Award.

Highlighting the power of art, the event raises funds to support creative, healing, and inspiring programs for individuals experiencing illness or homelessness. Similar to past honorees, Daniels worked with founder Jennifer Howell to design a scene around his definition of “heaven”— focusing this time on childhood innocence and curiosity. For Daniels’ turn at the helm, the ballroom was adorned with white and red roses, complemented by soaring outdoor lamps and a series of Bob Baker Marionettes puppeteers. (Indeed, the chance to experience being a kid again was taken up by many, with David Arquette even stepping out in clown attire for the event.)

Daniels, a producer and director behind films including Monster’s Ball, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Precious, The Butler, and the TV show Empire, was thrilled with how his vision was realized. “This event has humbled me so much,” he told Vogue. “It made me realize that heaven can be right here on earth. Heaven is what we make it.”

Performers and sisters Aly and AJ Michalka—who later took the stage for a musical performance—were also honored with the Spirit of Elysium Award at the event, while Christian Siriano was presented with the Fashion Visionary Award.

During the dinner program, Andra Day, who Daniels directed in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, also sang for the room, as did Nikka Costa, Thomas Dekker, and Yola & Leoni. Channeling free-spirited energy, the evening’s guests—Rachel Bilson, Jason Segel, Christina Hendricks, Kevin Costner, Camilla Belle, Jordana Brewster, and Dita Von Teese among them—later hit the dance floor for a karaoke dance party led by Zuri Marley and Linda Perry.

In keeping with his nostalgic nod to bygone days, Daniels concluded the event with a sleepover-themed after-party—a callback to childhood, if ever there was one. Siriano, for one, was all in. The designer jumped at the chance to dress attendees in custom pajamas for the cozy and relaxed finale. Sweet dreams are made of this.