Stars to the Rescue 2009

Please join ARF at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California for ARF's 18th anniversary Stars to the Rescue gala. Individual tickets, priced at $300, $100 and $50 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 925.943.SHOW or online at www.lesherartscenter.org.

This fabulous evening of music and entertainment will include soft rock duo from the 70’s and 80’s, Air Supply. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock became instant friends with their common love for the Beatles and singing. After forming Air Supply, they spent the late 70’s opening for Rod Stewart across Australia and throughout the United States and Canada before signing with Clive Davis of Arista Records in 1980. ‘Lost in Love’ became the fastest selling single in the world and leaped to the top of the charts. The second single ‘All Out of Love’ went up the charts even faster. Seven top-five singles later, Air Supply equaled the Beatle’s run of consecutive top five singles. The albums ‘Lost in Love’, ‘The One That You Love’, ‘Now & Forever’ and ‘The Greatest Hits’ sold in excess of 20 million copies. ‘Lost in Love’ was named “song of the year” in 1980, and with the other singles sold over 10 million copies.

Also appearing on stage will be Tony Orlando, one of America's most endearing and enduring stars, who brings to the stage a warmth and exhilarating energy that electrifies an audience. From million selling records (five number one hits), a popular television variety series, movies and Broadway (Barnum and Smokey Joe's Cafe), Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business.

A passionate lifelong music lover, Billy Bob Thornton has been playing and following music all his life. In a musical universe where far too many still haven’t found what they’re looking for, Billy Bob has finally happened upon true musical happiness with life as a Boxmaster. The Boxmasters are really a combination of the Beatles, the Monkees and the Turtles with Del Reeves and Buck Owens and Merle Haggard — all put together.”

America cries out for a man with the aim, strength, and style to hit them where it hurts the funniest. Will Durst is that man. Sweeping both sides of the aisle with a quiver full of arrows dipped in common sense, Durst transcends party ties, having performed at events honoring former Presidents Bill Clinton and George HW Bush as well as acclaimed appearances at both a Mayors Convention and Governors Conference.

Once again, Moving Arts Dance will grace the Lesher stage with one of their articulate and eloquent performances. Blending humor, grace, compassion and sorrow with striking visual effects and athletic physicality is the trademark of Moving Arts Dance. Directed by Anandha Ray, the company produces works of dance art that reach into the world's emotional realities. Building on the strengths of ballet and modern styles of dance these contemporary dancers demonstrate strong classical technique blended with a kinetic understanding of movement and an emotional ability to arouse audiences.

Accompanying Moving Arts Dance are Marc Russo, Steve George and Karl Perrazo. Marc, a long-standing saxophonist with the Doobie Brothers has been ARF’s Stars to the Rescue musical director for many years, Steve who has performed at numerous Stars events will be on piano, and Karl from Santana fame will accompany on percussions.

Sponsorships are currently available for this exciting annual event. Please view the available sponsorship levels and contact Judy Bentley at 925.296.3154 or jbentley@arf.net to reserve yours today. Individual tickets, priced at $300, $100 and $50 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 925.943.SHOW or online at www.lesherartscenter.org.