The third annual An Evening with the Stars, a benefit for Autism Speaks, took place Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, as 250 guests turned out to raise more than $110,000. The event brought the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to the windy city, with live video coverage as guests arrived at the event and pre-show interviews on the big screen inside the auditorium. In addition to a fantastic raffle, guests bid on a variety of live and silent auction

items including vacation packages to Hollywood, Mexico and Utah. The evening culminated with the viewing of the 80th Annual Academy Awards shown live on big screens inside the theater.

VIP guests enjoyed an extravagant pre-show dinner catered by Marcello's, while enjoying the piano jazz stylings of Peter Polzack. Prior to the telecast, guests were treated to a touching live segment by families affected by autism, which featured a beautiful photo presentation set to the Oscar winning song, “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Autism Speaks President Mark Roithmayr addressed the audience.

NBC 5 News Anchors and hosts Zoraida Sambolin and Dick Johnson emceed the event, while radio personality and co-chair Spike Manton conducting the live auction and Chicago funny man Joe Stephen hosted the red carpet arrivals. The event's honorary chair was Richard Roeper, author, columnist and host of nationally syndicated At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper. The evening was made possible through the corporate sponsorship of Grant Thornton, Harris Bank, BMO Financial, Navigant Consulting, Abbott and Northern Trust.

Join us on the red carpet next year on Sunday, February 22, 2009