Palm Beach, FL -- On Friday, December 2, 2011, LIFE will host the 18th Annual "Lady in Red" Gala at The Mar-a-Lago Club, Palm Beach. Always the much anticipated start of the Palm Beach social season, the gala will begin at 6:00 pm with cocktails followed by dinner and dancing. This "Red, Hot & Blue" event will have many celebrities in attendance, and entertainment by the incomparable Smokey Robinson, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. (back for an encore performance) and renowned pianist Copeland Davis. Guests will enjoy a non-stop party like no-other in Palm Beach.

Robinson started out singing in local groups in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. In the early 1950s, he formed the Matadors, which later became the world famous Miracles. A chance meeting with record producer Berry Gordy, Jr. led to a contract with Motown Records as well as an important working relationship. The Miracles scored their first big hit with "Shop Around" (1960) and developed quite a following with their energetic R&B sound. The group has numerous hits, including "You Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962) and "I Second That Emotion" (1967). Robinson also worked behind the scenes, composing and producing for the Miracles and other Motown artists, such as Mary Wells and the Temptations. His work contributed to the success of Motown Records and helped advance the popularity of soul music.

Robinson went solo in 1972, creating a more mellow sound for himself. Often associated with romantic soul music, he released such successful albums as A Quiet Storm (1974) and Touch the Sky (1983). The mid-1980s were a difficult time for him as he battled a drug addiction. Robinson openly discussed his cocaine problem as well as many other personal topics in his 1989 autobiography Smokey: Inside My Life. He has credited his recovery from substance abuse to his religious faith.

Robinson went on to win his first Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1987 for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for the song "Just To See Her" from the album One Heartbeat. Other later solo recordings included Double Good Everything(1991) and Intimate (1999). He took his work in a new direction in 2004, releasing a collection of music that reflected his spiritual beliefs entitled Food for the Spirit.

His most current project is the recently released "Time Flies When You're Having Fun." "The title of this CD depicts my life," shares Robinson, "because I love my life. I love the fact that I'm extremely blessed, because I get a chance to live a life that I love. I get a chance to do a craft that I love."

Lois Pope, Toni Holt-Kramer, and Terry Ebert Mendozza will serve as Chairwomen of the 18th Annual "Lady in Red" Gala. Paul David Pope will serve as Junior Chairman, and Sally & Dick Robinson are Co-Chairs. International Honorary Chairs are Elizabeth & Jeff Bateman. Honorary Chairs are Rhoda & David Chase, Nathalie Fernandez, Patrick Park and Ari Rifkin.

Tickets to the "Lady in Red" Gala are $600 per person. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.