LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Tellem Worldwide) - America's Sweetheart, Paula Abdul, will host an extraordinary evening of music and entertainment, the first-ever star-studded Benefit Concert for the Animals, Saturday evening, February 17th at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. This In Defense of Animals (IDA) special event will help the animals still affected by Hurricane Katrina as well as launch IDA's Disaster Relief Fund to help animals in future disasters and other IDA rescue operations throughout the world.
This highly anticipated event will provide a memorable evening complete with red carpet arrivals, a VIP sponsor/celebrity reception, specialty food stations, tantalizing gourmet vegan cuisine and luscious desserts created by celebrity chefs and restaurants; and an after party featuring dancing with the All Star Band and special guest appearances. There will be stellar performances by Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night), Howard Scott (War), Robbie Dupree, Lester Chambers (The Chambers Brothers), Stephen Bishop, Joey Gian, E.G. Daily, Keaton Simons, Amana Melome, Justin Hopkins, Steve Ferrone, Alphonso Johnson, Peter Wolf, Jeff Pevar (from CPR), Steve Postell, Jeff Levine, Jaared, Morris Pleasure, John Leftwich, Seleno Clarke and Paul Peress. Additional artists are joining daily. Check www.idausa.org/concert for updates.
Celebrities and other luminaries are attending or lending their support including, Grant Aleksander, Ed Asner, Antonio Banderas, The Barbi Twins, Ed Begley, Jr., James Cromwell and Joan MacIntosh, Michael Franks, Deborah Gibson, Melanie Griffith, Tippi Hedren, Lori and Jeff Hyland, Lamb Chop and Mallory Lewis, Dave Mirkin, Kevin Nealon, Willie and Amy Nelson, Alexandra Paul, Joaquin Phoenix, Arnold Shapiro, Marina Sirtis, Billy Squier, Mariana Tosca, Ann Turkel, Steve Valentine, Jane Velez-Mitchell, Ken Wahl, Diane Warren, Bernie Williams, Debra Wilson, Maureen Van Zandt and many more.
Elliot M. Katz, DVM, IDA founder and president, says, 'When you help animals in disasters, you're helping people. I am stunned by the outpouring of compassionate musicians and celebrities who want to be involved in this new endeavor.' IDA has established a Disaster Relief Fund to finance transportation, search and rescue, staging and disaster relief training for future disasters.
Dr. Katz added that IDA was one of the first groups on the ground when Katrina hit the Gulf region in August 2005. Over the months, IDA provided shelter for homeless animals at its sanctuary in Mississippi, coordinated food and water drops for strays still wandering the barren streets of New Orleans and continues today to transport surviving dogs and cats from devastated areas to shelters and new homes in other parts of the country.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $275 per person or $1,000, which includes two VIP concert tickets and the VIP sponsor celebrity reception. Tickets are available online at www.idausa.org/concert or by calling the IDA office at 415.388.9641. For sponsorship information, please contact: Eilene Cohhn, IDA Special Events Director (301) 365-7048 or [email protected]. All proceeds benefit In Defense of Animals, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations may also be sent to Disaster Relief, c/o In Defense of Animals, 3010 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901.
