Austrian Life Ball: Storm cuts short start of Austrian Life Ball

VIENNA – Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and others ran for cover as the opening of a flashy Austrian AIDS gala was cut short by a fierce thunderstorm.Appearances by Clinton, burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese and Patti LaBelle had to be skipped after authorities issued a weather warning and ordered the packed square in front of Vienna's city hall to be cleared Saturday night.


Take Hans Peter Aigner, a 44-year-old from Innsbruck, whose outfit consisted of white and blue body paint, black patent leather plateau boots and tiny white hot pants."This is my twelfth Life Ball — We're never going to miss another one," he said, motioning to a group of friends in similarly sparse attire.

"It's just a shame for those who can't be here — this is great," said 30-year-old Maha Elaser as she and a friend — both dressed in strategically placed fake leaves, among other things — enjoyed a drink under an awning in the courtyard as live music acts performed throughout the building.This year's bash served as a prelude to an international AIDS conference that kicks off in Vienna Sunday and is expected to draw thousands of policymakers, activists and experts.