Russell Simmon’s Art For Life Benefit was a hit, full of philanthropic fun, fantastic fashion, a delicious dinner, and a concert with today’s best artists. The event was called “A Field of Dreams”, taking place at Fairview Farms on the bucolic Mecox Bay in Bridgehampton.  The whopping $1.5 million raised was donated to the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation dedicated to exposing inner-city youth to the arts. This year’s honorees included Samuel Englebardt and William D. Johnson of Demarest Films, Anne Pasternak of Creative Time, writer Walter Mosley, and Filmmaker Tyler Perry. CNN’s Soledad O’Brien hosted the evening, which featured a Rush Kids Auction hosted by actor Anthony Anderson.

A-List stars and local celebrities sipped on Bombay Sapphire Gin cocktails and listened to music by Estelle (below), Rick Ross, and Maxwell, with a surprise performance by Doug E. Fresh! The star-studded guest list included Angela Simmons, Michael Strahan, Nicole Murphy, Rev. Al Sharpton, Star Jones, Skylar Diggins, Olivia Culpo, Nana Meriwether, Melanie Fiona, Tahiry Jose, Jill Zarin, Kevin Liles, Chloe Flower, Flaviana Matata, Angela Martini and more.

The silent auction for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is going until August 7th if you want to join in the fun! You can win a private dinner for 10 with Russell Simmons prepared by Chef Todd English at Your NYC home, Lunch with Sarah Jessica Parker in New York City, Meet LL COOL J & Receive 4 VIP Tickets to the concert of your choice, Go backstage with visionary makeup artist Pat McGrath at Fashion Week, watch a runway show & take home a lavish makeup box, Enjoy a walk-on role in an upcoming Tyler Perry Production, Lunch with celebrated TV journalist Soledad O’Brien in NYC, and more.   Just go to www.charitybuzz.com to place your bid!

CHECK OUT MORE PIX FROM THE PARTY!

For more info on the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation go to www.rushphilanthropic.org

*Photos by Billy Farrell agency