Stars Align to Save the Arts: SAVE THE ARTS/SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, June 2nd

from SaveTheArts.net

STARS ALIGNED TO SAVE THE ARTS

SAVE THE ARTS BENEFIT TO RAISE AWARENESS, PROMOTE ARTS EDUCATION

     

For immediate release

Contact: Suzanne Nichols, Chairperson Telephone:  (323) 219-5693 Email: helpsavethearts@gmail.com

LOS ANGELES — On Saturday, June 2 government officials and celebrities will join members of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for the Save the Arts benefit to resuscitate arts education held at the historic Cocoanut Grove 3400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010 at 3 p.m.

The benefit will include an art auction followed by a showcase of the achievements of the arts program students, as well as the talents of art appreciation advocates. All proceeds will go directly to the Arts Education Branch of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to help ensure that all children receive an arts education. Tickets are available starting at $25.

Guests scheduled to appear include: Councilmember Tom LaBonge, California Arts Chair Melissa Fruzzi Shriver, muralist Eloy Torres, as well as performance by the Chester Whitmore Opus One Big Band and jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison. Performances by “American Idol” contestants and a  dance performance by the “So You Think You Can Dance” dancers are also in the lineup. Students of LAUSD will be performing theatrical, musical and dance pieces. The art auction will feature the artwork of Shepard Fairey, Castillo, Olivia Armas, Michael Blasi, Deborah Krall, Adriana Munoz, Katherine Ng and multi-talented artist John Lithgow.

“Due to the current economic situation and budget cuts to education, LAUSD students are in danger of losing a pivotal arts education program,” said Suzanne Nichols, chairperson of the Save the Arts benefit and a fellow LAUSD theatre teacher. “ The arts are the great equalizer.The arts keep students in school. For many children, the arts are a lifeline. Our children will be negatively impacted as there is no way that a skeleton staff will be able to serve the entire LAUSD student community.”

The Arts Education Branch  of LAUSD is the only one of its kind in the nation. It provides a comprehensive arts program to elementary school children through the sixth grade. Last year’s event attracted more than 500 people. This year’s event aims to attract even more people. Join the members of the community to ensure that the arts stay, and continue, to be an integral part of the LAUSD community. Visit http://youtu.be/bEQSqFpIuUs to view a video on last year’s benefit. For all other information, visit www.savethearts.net or contact (323) 935-9744.

About Save the Arts

Save the Arts is an organization created by teachers, parents and students. Their express purpose is to ensure that all Los Angeles Unified School District children from grades k-12 receive a well-rounded education which, naturally, include the arts. For more information, visit www.savethearts.net.