Ringo Starr stops for an interview along the red carpet walk on the way to the gala premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Beatles-inspired "Love" Friday at The Mirage. Photos By Marian Umhoefer/Review-Journal. Julian Lennon and his mother, Cynthia, stop and chat with photographers during the red carpet walk for "Love." Olivia Harrison, widow of George Harrison, and her son, Dhani, stop for photos along the red carpet. George Harrison played a key role in the early discussions about "Love" with creators from Cirque du Soleil. Las Vegans Robert and Vera Goulet take part in the red carpet walk for "Love." Edgar Winter, a member of Ringo Starr's band, attends the "Love" event. At the party following the gala premiere performance of "Love," guests relax in the conversation pit while "mermaids" entertain. The Hornbuckle family, including Lindsey, from left, Bill, Wendy and Sara visit the pastry cart during the party after the premiere of "Love" at The Mirage. Dacia Hernandez, from left, Kristyne Schmillen, Alisa Liston, Sherry Cesarek and Linda Unzueta celebrate at the party following the gala premiere of "Love" at The Mirage. Comedian George Wallace jokes with people lining the red carpet to see stars. Performer Wayne Brady is all smiles along the red carpet for "Love." Hamish Stuart, a member of Ringo Starr's band, attends the "Love" premiere. Sheila E., who is performing with Ringo Starr, turns out for the premiere. Richard Marx attends the premiere of "Love" Friday at The Mirage. Actress Elisha Cuthbert stops along the red carpet walk. John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, peeks over her sunglasses while on the way to the Cirque du Soleil gala premiere of "Love."

The Mirage pulled out all the stops to make the gala premiere of Cirque du Soleil's "Love" Friday a spectacular event. It was a celebration of the musical legacy of the Beatles.

Crowds lined the red carpet where celebrities and Cirque du Soleil creators gave interviews while flashbulbs popped.

The theater's concession area offered the usual libations along with island fruit drinks, popcorn and pretzels.

The new circular theater with its multitude of speakers and high ceiling was the perfect venue for the intricate performances.

The audience gave the show a standing ovation that lasted as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison and George Martin with their family members left their seats to move onstage to accept the accolades.

Following the gala premiere, invited guests walked to The Mirage Events Center to celebrate Cirque style as all staff wore Cirque costumes and props from the show served as the party's background.

Guests included Siegfried Fischbacher, Roy Horn, George Wallace, Vera and Robert Goulet, Lovee and Bob Arum, Ruth and Mel Wolzinger, Sharry and Tim Quillin, Cathy Ray, Bernie Yumen, Rossi Ralenkotter, Renee West, Sandy and Lonnie Hammargren, Gina Polovina, Ira Sternberg, Sharon and Rudy Prieto, Ken Ciancimino, Miles E. Fine and Don Marrandino. Long-stem strawberries were offered the entire length of the hall before guests entered the party through an evocation of the Taj Mahal.

Then it was on to a trippy wonderland outfitted with a psychedelic piano on stilts, a magical underwater garden with live "mermaids" and fabricated fruit trees offering edible treats.

Party rooms were inspired by the Beatles' Eastern spiritual leanings and by their film "The Yellow Submarine."

Circling the vast ballroom were many bars along with a wide range of culinary experiences from many hotel gourmet rooms. Tasting selections came from The Mirage, Bellagio, MGM Grand, Treasure Island, Luxor, Monte Carlo, Excalibur and New York-New York, including Circo, Olives, Isla, Nob Hill, Shibuya, Nine Fine Irishmen, Fin, Kokomo's, Regale Italian Eatery, Sensi, Andre's, Francisco's and, soon-to-open at Treasure Island, Social House. The all-night party lasted until 8 a.m. Saturday.

The "Love" gala was the culmination of six months of event planning and preparation -- a show in and of itself. The gala was created by the Cirque du Soleil Special Events team.

Summer soiree: Terri and Tom Eden opened their Canyon Gate home June 17, inviting neighbors and friends to enjoy canapes and cocktails on the patio overlooking the beautiful pool and golf course.

Guests included Heather and Jim Murren, Susan and Art Ham, Sandra and Jim Frank, Persia and Jim Golden, Susan and Bill Houston, Lou and Fred Schwager, Roxane and Dan Wade, and Julie and John Pilkington

The Normandie Restaurant catered the dinner served for Gayle Anderson, Linda and Jerry Stafford, Jennifer and Rob Gatti, Jim Heroy, Rosita Kane, Eleanor Koch, Barbara Krause, Connie Silvaggio, Audry and Syd Paul, and Simona and Mark Ott.

A highlight of the evening was the entertainment provided by two young artists of Opera Las Vegas, Rachael von Hoffman and Matthew Edwardsen, singing arias from well-known operas as well as selections from Broadway's "Phantom of the Opera."