New York, NY (Top40 Charts / San Francisco Special Events Committee) The brief program and festivities proceeding the public dedication and unveiling will feature Tony Bennett, Mayor Edwin M. Lee, former Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., San Francisco Giants' CEO Larry Baer, Regional Vice President & General Manager of Fairmont San Francisco, Paul Tormey, Chief of Protocol, City and County of San Francisco and
State of California,
Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, San Francisco Boys Chorus, San Francisco Girls Chorus and SFJAZZ High School
All Stars Combo.
"On behalf of Mayor Ed Lee and the San Francisco Special Events Committee, I am proud to be a part of the incredible events honoring the City and my friend, the incomparable Tony Bennett!" said California and San Francisco Chief of
Protocol Charlotte Shultz. Adding, "We look forward to seeing many of Tony's fans from all over the Bay Area at the dedication."
Bay Area sculptor Bruce Wolfe began work on the 8-foot-tall bronze statue at the beginning of the year and is currently putting the finishing touches on the sculpture in his studio in Piedmont, California. Mr. Wolfe has also created statues of Willie L. Brown, Jr.,
George P. Shultz, Steve
Silver and
Harvey Milk. The statue was funded by private contributions to the San Francisco Special Events Committee.
"Tony
Bennett has created a beautiful harmony with the Bay Area and our landmark hotel over the years. Fairmont San Francisco is honored to serve as the "home" for this spectacular statue that celebrates his amazing relationship with this city and our iconic property," said Paul Tormey, Regional Vice President & General Manager of Fairmont San Francisco.
The Tony
Bennett Day celebration on Friday, August 19th will continue that evening at AT&T Park when the San Francisco Giants take on the New York Mets. The Giants will honor Tony in a pre-game ceremony and throughout the game. Tony is also to perform "I Left My
Heart in San Francisco" for the fans.
In December 1961, Mr.
Bennett first sang I Left My
Heart in San Francisco in the Venetian Room at the Fairmont Room. The song has gone on to become one of the City by the Bay's official anthems. The benefit on Saturday, August 20 begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a lavish dinner at 7:30 p.m. by Fairmont San Francisco's renowned culinary team. The evening culminates with a concert featuring Mr.
Bennett and his orchestra and benefits The Tony
Bennett Fund for Emergency Pediatric Care at Zuckerberg San Francisco General [ZSFG] and the San Francisco Special Events Committee.
Proceeds from the evening will establish The Tony
Bennett Fund for Emergency Pediatric Care at ZSFG and will help make every child's emergency care experience uniquely caring, calm and safe. 42,000 children receive care at ZSFG clinics every year and 12,000 come through the Emergency Department. The fund will provide resources for medical professionals to best comfort and care for children when they need it most. A plaque in honor of the fund will be prominently displayed in the Pediatric Playroom on the 2nd floor of the recently opened Zuckerberg San Francisco General. This room is an important component of the 2nd floor pediatrics unit and is designed to reduce the stress a child can feel in a hospital environment. Children who are well enough can engage in therapeutic play activity with toys and games as well as interact with siblings or other patients.
