....Oprah Winfrey's fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama took place Saturday with Sidney Poitier, Forest Whitaker, Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx and Halle Berry among the 1,500 guests in attendance.

The affair with tickets at $2,300 apiece, was expected to raise $3 million for the Illinois senator's campaign....

Stevie Wonder performed at the gala, which also included Will Smith, Dennis Haysbert, Cindy Crawford, Jimmy Connors, Linda Evans and many others. Media outlets were barred from entering the event held at Winfrey's secluded home in Montecito, Calif., a coastal enclave south of Santa Barbara.

Michelle & Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey

Guests had to take a shuttle to Winfrey's estate from an equestrian center located about 10 miles away.

...a solid line of limousines, BMWs, Bentleys and a few hybrid Priuses disgorged well-dressed guests. Some sported stiletto heels despite official instructions to wear flat shoes for walking on Winfrey's meadow.

Security took away any recording devices or cameras toted by guests, who were also informed that Winfrey and Obama would not be accepting gifts....