‘Ballroom’ Dancing for a Good Cause

The Scene: The Los Angeles premiere Wednesday of Miramax’s “Strictly Ballroom,” the Australian dance/romance comedy, at the Hollywood Galaxy Theater followed by a retro disco at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The event, co-hosted by Detour magazine, benefited American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Finances: Tickets were free (“Invitations just arrive on my desk all the time,” noted a callow William Morris agent), but it was pay-your-way popcorn and parking. Donations were voluntary.

Who Was There: Hollywood behind-the-scenes-types, mostly under 30. Plus “Ballroom” director Baz Luhrmann and stars Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice. Also, Timothy Dalton, Valeria Golina, Ally Sheedy, Rebecca De Mornay, Harry Dean Stanton and Mimi Rogers.

Who Wasn’t There: Madonna topped the extensive list of stars with bad manners who all RSVP’d “yes” according to the PR powers that be.

Working the Party: Aussie Nicole Kidman.

Audience Movie Review: “Ballroom” is totally campy, but it absolutely works.

Overheard: “My mom and I watch those cheesy ballroom shows all the time.”

Quoted: “If the story’s a fairy tale, it’s not a bad structural ending to have my opening on Hollywood Boulevard,” said director Luhrmann.

Dress Code: Grunge, bell-bottoms and platforms, eyeglasses with heavy rectangular frames and still-dependable black leather jackets.

Moves Requiring Dexterity: Doing the hustle in clogs. Balancing a cigarette and beer bottle and eating raw oysters while standing in line for more food.