The Irvine Auditorium at 34th and Spruce streets was packed to the rafters when U2 frontman Bono took to the stage to speak at a World Affairs Council event Friday night. And while the adoring throng rose to applaud just as often as they would've during an hourlong concert, the night wasn't about music. Rather, it was about advocacy, namely for the woes on the African continent, which Bono has championed.

In town to accept the council's International Statesman Award, Bono took to the dais in a dress jacket, tie, jeans and shoes with just enough lift for people in the nosebleeds not to realize he's actually a rather short fellow. Among the more poignant moments in his speech, Bono addressed the fact that staving off African hunger — both physical and financial — is actually a homeland-security issue, one complete with racial implications.

"If we don't put value on their lives, why should they put value on ours? In turbulent times, isn't it smart to make friends of potential enemies rather than having to defend yourself against them later?" Bono asked. "If we really accepted that Africans were equal to us, we'd do more about this."

Judging by the applause, the audience took to Bono's message, but when the event broke for a private reception and dinner at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, a couple hundred people who shelled out up to $500 to have a cocktail near, or dine in the same room as, the rocker showed how celebrity status helps draw attention to issues.

When Bono popped out for a brief appearance at the reception, the bar and food stations emptied. Hands and cameras were thrust in his direction. They stood three- and four-deep even for the briefest of glimpses, or touches. Then, some beamed about being so close to a music legend. During dinner, however, a pair of private security guards ensured that Bono could eat in quasi-peace before leaving town to catch up with his touring bandmates.