On Saturday, June 19 the Worldwide Maniac Foundation launch party was held at Austin Music Hall with live music, art displays, a fashion show, professional athletes and VIPs galore!

Michael Torres, founder and CEO of Worldwide Maniac Foundation, put on this exciting event to launch his foundation. The foundation promotes "conscious capitalism with the concept of 'paying it forward' to create a unique business platform where success is measured not only through maximizing profits, but by fulfilling a greater purpose in supporting humanitarian and environmental efforts" (see website http://worldwidemaniac.com/about).

This was not a small event like so many other Austin fundraisers almost every weekend of every month. Worldwide Maniac Foundation used Rozone Productions, who have worked with KISS, to stage the fashion show, the live music, the sound and lights. Among the many VIPs I saw were designers Maggie Norris, Richie Rich and Carson Case who had personally come out to see their collection featured in the fashion show.

The evening started with live music by Love At War  followed by singer and "piano-man" Josh Charles and his band. Josh Charles shares a common believe with the Worldwide Maniac Foundation since he started the Healing Time Foundation to assist American cities in need of disaster assistance with the notion of "paying it forward." Paintings by award winning Austin artist Leanne Venier (http://www.leannevenier.com/) were on display. Leanne won the prestigious "Grand Prize of the Jury for Outstanding Artwork" in Vico del Gargano, Italy.

The fashion show started with the Carson Couture  line. The huge 4-feet high runway came out two-thirds into the large hall. The models, some of which had come from New York, featured Carson's beautiful collection. There were two short interludes where the amazing Blue Lapis Light arial-dancers performed high above the stage. Next, was the Maggie Norris collection, which included an amazing wedding dress. The fashion show ended with the flamboyant Richie Rich collection. You can always count on Richie Rich to bring out the glitter adorned buffed male models in their "speedo" bathing suites. The crowd loved it and loud screams and applause was heard as they walked the runway.

After the show DJ Johnny Bravvo provide the music for the rest of the evening. Michael Torres, visited with all his guest and seemed to have a wonderful evening, enjoying the successful launch of his foundation.
 

Click here for a complete 120 photo gallery of the Worldwide Maniac Launch Party
Photos by Manuel Nauta