Marian Anderson Award New Friends Reception 2014

PHILADELPHIA - Nov. 3, 2014 - PRLog -- On Tuesday, November 18^th, the legendary Jon Bon Jovi – founder and front man for the iconic band Bon Jovi – will receive the 16th annual Marian Anderson Award in honor of his professional accomplishments and contributions to philanthropic and humanitarian efforts. Emmy award-winning comedian, Wanda Sykes, will host this year’s Award ceremony.  In addition to Sykes, Grammy-award winner, Estelle, The All American Rejects, and Jon Batiste and Stay Human will perform. Senator Cory Booker and Sister Mary Scullion, of Project Home, will be contributing speakers for the evening.

Tickets for this year’s New Friends Cocktail Reception preceding the 2014 Marian Anderson Award ceremony and concert are now on sale.  In its second year, the Reception will again be co-chaired by Mia Tinari Esq. and Michelle Miller-DeMarco. Special guest Pierre Robert of WMMR will attend and speak about his close friendship with Jon Bon Jovi.

The New Friends Cocktail Reception will take place in the Hamilton Garden at the Kimmel Center and will be catered by Garces Catering.  The event begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are limited and will be sold at eventbrite.com at a price of $175 for individuals and $300 for couples.  The tickets also include premium seating for the Award ceremony and concert in Verizon Hall, which begins at 8:30pm.

“The New Friends Reception is a fantastic way to expose new individuals to all the wonderful things the Marian Anderson Award achieves,” says Reception Co-Chair and founder of The Nouveau Image, Michelle Miller-DeMarco.  “This is not a one-night affair. Supporters of the Award work year-round to help musically talented, young individuals in the Philadelphia area.  This is a night of real glitz and glamour, as well as a fund-raiser for a very noble cause.”

Co-Chair and founder of MCT Entertainment, Mia Tinari, Esq. adds, "Marian Anderson is a local, national, and international icon. She defied odds and persevered through incredible adversity. I am honored to be a part of a wonderful night that recognizes the path she created and carved for young people of our region."

Jon Bon Jovi has a long history of civic and humanitarian outreach which has benefitted the homeless of the Philadelphia region.  The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has succeeded in changing lives through its investment in healthcare and housing and hunger support programs. Upon announcing Bon Jovi as the 2014 Marian Anderson Award recipient, Award Board Chair Nina C. Tinari commented, “Since 1998, the Award has been conferred upon outstanding individuals whose careers and advocacy have had a global impact. But this year, we wanted to single out an artist whose work is not only global, but also deeply invested here in Philadelphia.”

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the great city of Philadelphia, in receiving this prestigious award,” stated Jon Bon Jovi. “The JBJ Soul Foundation originated in Philadelphia and will continue to reach those in need, both locally and nationally. Through the ‘power of WE,’ we can end homelessness and hunger.”

For those wanting to purchase tickets for the 2014 Marian Anderson Award Gala Dinner, they also can visit eventbright.com.  Prices are as follows:

·      Benefactor Ticket - $1,000 per person - Premiere Seating for Dinner and Concert (includes VIP Cocktail Reception and Benefactor Listing in the program).

·      Patron Ticket - $500 per person - Preferred Seating for the Dinner and Concert (includes General Cocktail Reception and Patron Listing in the Program)

Please note:  A portion of Benefactor and Patron tickets is tax-deductible.

Tickets for the concert alone can be purchased at tickets.kimmelcenter.org or by calling 215-893-1999. Concert tickets range from $25.00 to  $150.

Created in 1998, the Marian Anderson Award is named for the great Philadelphian and American singer Marian Anderson, and is produced and administered under the direction of J. Patrick Moran. Since its inception, the Award program has provided more than $500,000 in free public programs, residencies, commissions, and grants to young artists.

The Marian Anderson Award honors artists whose leadership on behalf of a humanitarian causes or issues benefits society. Previous recipients include Berry Gordy (2013), James Earl Jones (2012), Mia Farrow (2011), Bill Cosby (2010), Maya Angelou and Norman Lear (2008), Richard Gere (2007), Sidney Poitier (2006), Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis (2005), Oprah Winfrey (2003), Danny Glover (2002), Quincy Jones (2001), Elizabeth Taylor (2000), Gregory Peck (1999), and Harry Belafonte, (1998). No Award was given in 2004 or 2009.

For more information about the Marian Anderson Award, please visit www.marianandersonaward.org,  and for information on tickets, please visit www.kimmelcenter.org or call 215-893-1999.