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Too bad Cpl. Kelsey De Santis didn't get Justin Timberlake to a Marine Corps Ball just a little sooner -- because the note that the performer wrote on his website Sunday would have been perfect message for his young fans to reflect on Friday, which was Veteran's Day.

Yes, De Santis was cool and humble and honest ("I have to tell you, it's not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and she's more worried about if I'm having fun or if I'm comfortable!" he wrote). And her friends rocked and were funny and even danced a little. She started the evening in her dress blues (Marine formal wear for women includes a skirt) then changed into a glittery evening gown, according to local station WTVR.

"The ball was epic!" De Santis tweeted afterward. "Had a wonderful time."

But what Timberlake didn't expect from a blind date that originated during the marketing of his "Friends With Benefits" promotional campaign with Mila Kunis? "An event," he said, "that turned out to be one of the most moving evenings I've ever had."

From JT himself:

[T]he next thing I knew I was watching a video about Pearl Harbor/WW2 and the September 11 terrorist attacks... It was a video with some first-hand accounts from some Marines who were there... Telling their stories of the sights and sounds of war and rescue. So vivid and real. So honest but, so filled with a sense of compassion and adoration for this wonderful country. They spoke with a pride that only they could have acquired through their experience as a US Marine. There was a common theme that I began to notice as well... No matter what the situation. No matter how dire...

They were there FIRST.

There on the front lines.

No questions... Just reaction.

While this tribute was playing, you could hear a pin drop. It was a surreal moment to be in that room with so many of our great Marines who have such a different type of connection to those stories. One that we who don't serve will NEVER understand.

He put it in context unique to those who travel in celebrity circles: "I've met so many of my heroes... From Michael Jordan to Michael Jackson. And, nothing makes me feel more honor and pride than when I get to meet one of you.

"Last night changed my life and I will never forget it."

Check out Timberlake's whole note -- lots of details for the curious! -- and then come back to the Ministry and read more about how he and De Santis wound up at the Basic School Instructor Battalion 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Virginia on Saturday night.

Coming up this Friday? Mila Kunis heads to North Carolina for her own night at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.

Downtown Los Angeles' Grand Avenue made good on its name Saturday evening, welcoming celebs, social types and, naturally, art fans to the Museum of Contemporary Art's annual gala.

The museum tapped renowned performance artist Marina Abramovic as guest director for this year's fete, presenting "An Artist's Life Manifesto" with Debbie Harry as featured performer.

Gwen Stefani attended, as she did last year, though husband Gavin Rossdale was nowhere in sight. Stefani instead buddied up to event chair Dasha Zuhkova, while Nicole Richie frolicked on the rainy grounds with actress Jaime King.

Abramovic featured live performers as dinner centerpieces, with only their heads popping out from the tablecloths as guests ate and drank. Coexisting with the human heads wasn't the only thing Abramovic requested of the crowd: White lab coats were distributed and mandatory to don as dinner began.

"It's this idea of transition," Abramovic said, as the whole of the party was to experiment within her performance. Except it wasn't the whole of the party — as some guests blatantly refused to put on the jackets (think Hills-dwelling housewives not wanting their gowns concealed).

But the boldface names were happy to oblige Abramovic; among them Kirsten Dunst, looking radiant with Rodarte designing duo Kate and Laura Mulleavy. They sat close to celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, while Will Ferrell worked the room with his wife, Viveca.

Rose McGowan turned heads in a green number, as did a late-arriving Pamela Anderson (random, no?), Dita Von Teese and a slimmed Minnie Driver.

Among the hits from Harry, the human heads, the doctor costumes and a consistent showing of celebrity art fans, Abramovic emerged as the night's true star.

She's an artist whose commitment may have turned an interesting page on an important night for Los Angeles, a gala that's frankly been struggling to find its voice since Lady Gaga graced it two years ago.