http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=622; It was a fantabulous night to make music and mingle with the stars at the second annual "Oscar Wilde: Honoring Irish Writing in Film" awards party sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance. Multi-award winning singer/songwriter Van Morrison, 2007 Oscar-nominated screenwriter William Monahan, and writer/director Terry George were honored at the star-studded event at the Wilshire Ebell in Los Angeles, California. Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino, who presented the Oscar Wilde award to Morrison, compared the legendary musician to the Irish playwright, describing the two artists as "visionaries who push boundaries."Morrison, who treated the party guests to an intimate 45-minute private concert following the awards ceremony, was joined on stage by his daughter, Shana, a fantastic singer in her own right, rhythm and blues legend Solomon Burke, who, with Van, rocked the crowd with a rendition of "Stand By Me," and Chieftains front man Paddy Moloney. Towards the end of the concert, Grammy nominated singer Maura O'Connell came up on stage and sang "Crazy Love," with Van. When Van and his band left the stage, Shana and her band, San Francisco-based Caledonia, took over.Van Morrison was honoured by the US-Ireland Alliance at its second annual Oscar Wilde pre-Academy Awards party at Wilshire Ebell Hotel in Los Angeles. The event was attended by over 500 people including key figures from the entertainment industry. Among those in attendance were Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Orlando Bloom, Colm Meaney and musician David Holmes.http://www.4ni.co.uk/entertainment/news.asp?newsid=52139 Van Morrison was introduced by long time fan, acting legend Al Pacino who described Van Morrision as 'The soundtrack to all our lives'.He then went on to play a barnstorming set for an enthralled audience. Among those who joined him were Paddy Moloney from the Chieftains, Soul legend, Solomon Burke and his daughter Shana.Following the performance Miche l S illeabh in, Chairperson, Culture Ireland said: Tonight we were witness to an extraordinary performance by Van Morrison. His voice is a truthful voice because it has taken what have been offered for no other reason than that of musical truth. It is a contemporary voice because it sings of the joys and sorrows of our own times. It is a prophetic voice because it sings in the desert of emotional reality and calls out hope. http://www.dailynews.com/spywitness/ci_5289971; Irish eyes definitely smiling for Van Morrison - Pacino presented an Oscar Wilde award to Belfast-born Van Morrison during an evening that honored Irish writing in film and featured the wee Oronoco "Wilde" mojito."I didn't understand a word Van said when we first met," admitted Pacino, who's currently directing and starring in "Salomaybe," a behind-the-scenes look at his stage production of Wilde's "Salome." "But I love Van Morrison."Morrison was equally brief."It's a long way from Belfast to Hollywood, and I'm speechless," he said."Thanks!"Everyone else, including honorees writer/director Terry George and Oscar-nominated screenwriter William Monahan, paid homage to Van the Man, whose music is in "The Departed" and almost 50 other films."If there were a soundtrack to my life, it's Van and me in agarden wet with rain," said emcee Roma Downey.Morrison made up for his short trip to the podium during a 45-minute performance that included a "Stand By Me" duet with Solomon Burke, who sang from his wheelchair in the audience, and had MacDowell clapping her hands and singing along with "Brown Eyed Girl."