Saturday, February 28, 2009

After Party Wrap-Up

BEVERLY HILLS — Veteran agent Norby Walters produced his 19th Annual Night of 100 Stars Gala in the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel's Crystal Ballroom, and this time there were over 200 stars. This was a big black tie and red carpet formal sit-down dinner viewing party. Academy members flocked to Norby Walters as he had been called the apparent heir to the famous Swifty Lazar and his party at Spago.

The guests were treated to a red carpet gauntlet of over 300 accredited media outlets including Good Morning America and The Jimmy Kimmel show, who both set up production units right in the party. The gowns and world couture were astounding. Guests enjoyed an open bar with the Hotels best mixologist mixing exotic drinks with the names of the Oscar nominees.

The five star cuisine of the Beverly Hills Hotel included French and California fine wines, Chicken Cordon Bleu, truffles, tar tar, French Basil Salad, multiple fresh baked breads, Belgian Chocolates, praline creme brulets, sherbets and ice creams and rare cheeses and after dinner cordials. The flowers were a sea of white and red roses with golden ribbons in the form of motion picture film stock.

The party was seen around the world as it was broadcast live on the worldwide web by Fashion TV, and was seen by over 70 million people as has been done for the past five years.

Stars who were seen there are serious Academy Oscar watchers, many who voted and have had Oscars and Oscar nominations as well. "If you’re not presenting or nominated—this is the party you come too," said Edward Lozzi, the events public relations coordinator.

"It's a great place to get glamorous and watch the Oscars with serious actors," said Norby Walters, the host for the last 19 years.

Guest enjoying the fun were: Chevy Chase, Daniel Baldwin, Erika Christensen, David Carradine, Dominick Dunne, James Cromwell, Cindy Margolis, Laura Dern, Frances Fisher, Robert Forster, Shirley Jones, Lance Hendriksen, Harry Hamlin, Martin Landau, Sofia Milos, Jason Ritter, Kristy Swanson, Alan Thicke, Doris Roberts, Fred Willard, Sean Young, Robert Townsend, Peter Bogdonovich, Powers Booth, Steve Baldwin, Buzz Aldrin, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilan, Lucy Lawless, Peter Noth (Mr.Big), Stefanie Powers and over 150 more. Over 40 former Oscar winners and nominees were in the room as well.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Powers Set for S.T.A.G.E. Benefit Concerts Celebrating the Gershwins

As previously announced, the songs of George and Ira Gershwin will be the focus of the 25th Anniversary S.T.A.G.E. benefit concert, which is simply titled The Brothers Gershwin — George & Ira.

The annual AIDS benefit will be presented March 21 at 8 PM and March 22 at 3 PM at the newly renovated Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA. David Galligan will direct the concerts with musical direction by Mary Ekler and Jerry Sternbach.

Those scheduled to wrap their voices around a Gershwin tune include Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young, Wicked's Shoshana Bean, Michael K. Lee, "High School Musical" co-star Lucas Grabeel, "American Idol" finalist Kimberley Locke, Betty Garrett, Carole Cook, Pat Marshall, Ian Abercrombie, pianist Allen Barton, the duo Baul Point Pen (featuring Paul Peglar and Ben McLain), Mary Jo Catlett, James Darren, "Grey's Anatomy" star Loretta Devine, Sam Harris, Bill Hutton, Vicki Lewis, John Maher, Linda Michele, Valarie Pettiford, Stefanie Powers, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" host Jai Rodriguez, Dee Wallace and the cast of Forever Plaid: Jeremy Bernard, David Engel, Roger Befeler and Larry Rabin.

Expect such classics as "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "They Can't Take that Away from Me," "Our Love is Here to Stay" and "Summertime."

The concert will also feature the presentation of the S.T.A.G.E. Producers Award to Michael Kearns, an actor, writer, producer, director, teacher and one of the four co-founders of S.T.A.G.E.

The S.T.A.G.E. concerts are the longest continuously running AIDS benefit in the world. Proceeds from this year's event will go to AIDS Project Los Angeles.

The first S.T.A.G.E. benefit took place in October 1984, honoring the music of Leonard Bernstein. Subsequent presentations have paid tribute to Stephen Sondheim (1985, 1987, 1996), Jule Styne (1988), Jerry Herman (1989), John Kander and Fred Ebb (1990), Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein (1991), Irving Berlin (1992), George and Ira Gershwin (1993), Harold Arlen (1995), Cole Porter (1997), Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe and Burton Lane (1998), Richard Adler, Jerry Bock and Cy Coleman (1999), Charles Strouse, Arthur Schwartz and Stephen Schwartz (2000), Jerome Kern (2001), Johnny Mercer (2002), Frank Loesser (2003), Andrew Lloyd Webber (2004), Marvin Hamlisch and Harry Warren (2005), Betty Comden and Adolph Green (2006), Stephen Sondheim (2007) and Burt Bacharach (2008).

The Wilshire Theatre is located in Beverly Hills, CA, at 8440 Wilshire Blvd. For ticket information call (866) 679-0958 or visit www.stagela.com.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

19th Annual Night Of 100 Stars Awards Gala

BEVERLY HILLS — The 19th annual Night of 100 Stars viewing party is the place to be on Sunday, February 22, at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel. The awards night gala, produced by super-agent and renowned poker player Norby Walters, is a black tie affair that includes a red carpet and a formal sit-down dinner where attendees can enjoy the Oscars.

Walters’s publicist Edward Lozzi, of Lozzi P.R., gave an update of the event to Canyon News and said that about 150-200 Academy members including leading actors and icons will walk down the red carpet, which is saturated with media outlets from local to international broadcasters. In fact, the media coverage is so large that the Beverly Hills Hotel had to supply a ballroom for the media alone. Everyone flocks to get a glimpse of the stars attending the second biggest red carpet aside from the Oscars!

An update of the celebrity attendees include Robert Loggia, James Cromwell, Hector Elizondo, Tony Shaloub, Dennis Hazewort, Steve Collins, Stefanie Powers, Mimi Rogers, Rob Schneider, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jennifer Tilly, Rosie Perez, Bo Derek, Eric Roberts, Lolita Davidovich, John Corbett, Camryn Manheim, Laura Dern, John Schneider, Dennis Haysbert, Sasha Cohen, Gerald McRainey and actress Jenna Jameson who is now retired from the adult entertainment industry. The special guests to appear amid the various stars are pilot Chelsey B. Kellenberger and his wife who were invited for a very special Oscar weekend! Kellenberger is a real-world hero whose fast actions saved many during the Hudson River crash.

So what is it like to attend an Oscar viewing party like the prestigious Night of 100 Stars? According to Lozzi, there are two parties going on at the same time: the cocktail party for those who would like to mingle at the bar and talk, and the sit-down dinner for those who purchased the $1000 ticket. Each table is equipped with its own screen.

“When a commercial breaks, all hell breaks loose! People take a restroom break, smoke breaks, and some even steal a kiss under the stars—it all happens…Then when the commercials are over everyone sits back down for some serious watching,” Lozzi said.

One fact remains certain, with a name like Night of 100 Stars, how can you go wrong?

Friday, February 06, 2009

The Brothers Gershwin: George and Ira! The 25th Annual S.T.A.G.E. Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event

The Brothers Gershwin: George & Ira
The 25th Annual Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.) Honoring Michael Kearns


The longest continuously running AIDS benefit in the world, the Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event (S.T.A.G.E.) has raised more than $5 million for HIV/AIDS services throughout Southern California. This year, enjoy two exciting performances of song and dance saluting legendary composers George and Ira Gershwin and benefiting APLA’s programs and services for people affected by HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles and beyond. Bid on a range of offerings, including priceless musical memorabilia, during the event’s silent auction. David Galligan directs. Jerry Sternbach and Mary Ekler are the musical directors.

S.T.A.G.E. co-founder and award-winning actor Michael Kearns will receive the "2009 Producers STAGE Award" at the March 21 performance in recognition of his ongoing personal and professional commitment to and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Scheduled to appear: Ian Abercrombie, Allen Barton, Baul Point Pen: Paul Peglar & Ben McLain, Shoshana Bean, Mary Jo Catlett, Carole Cook, James Darren, Loretta Devine, Betty Garrett, John Glover, Lucas Grabeel, Sam Harris, Bill Hutton, Vicki Lewis, Kimberley Locke, Jon Maher, Pat Marshall, Valarie Pettiford, The Plaids: Roger Befeler, Stan Chandler, David Engel, & Larry Rabin, Stefanie Powers, Jai Rodriguez, Dee Wallace and others to be announced.

Location
The Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills
8440 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Dates:
Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 p.m. (Silent auction opens at 6:30 p.m.)
Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m. (Silent auction opens at 1:30 p.m.)

For more information, please call 866.679.0958.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Rita Moreno, Stefanie Powers, Petula Clark and More Set for Rrazz Room Gala

San Francisco's Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko will hold a special charity gala in honor of its first anniversary at 7:30pm on Tuesday, March 17. Proceeds will benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

The evening will be emceed by Jan Wahl. Entertainment will be provided by Rita Moreno, Petula Clark, Paul Williams, Stefanie Powers, Sally Kellerman, Paula West, Freda Payne, Linda Clifford, Edna Wright & Honey Cone, Valarie Pettiford, David Hernandez, Tim Hockenberry, Sony Holland, and Terese Genecco.

Tickets range from $75 to $175, and can be ordered by calling 866-468-3399 or visiting www.therrazzroom.com.

SP Will Not Appear, SP Will Appear

Stefanie will not be appearing at the Hollywood Collectors Show. She will be appearing at the AIDS Benefit in Los Angeles March 21 and 22.