LAGUNA BEACH, CA--(Marketwire - Aug 31, 2011) - The Laguna Beach Festival of Arts was filled to capacity on Saturday evening, August 27th, for the highly anticipated Acura Celebrity Event, hosted and headlined by acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer Richard Marx. From 1987 to 1990, Marx became the first male solo artist in history to have his first seven singles reach the top five on Billboard's singles chart, including the #1 hits "Hold On to the Nights," "Satisfied" and the worldwide classic, "Right Here Waiting." Thirty million album sales later, Marx continues to be one of the most prolific songwriters and producers of his generation.
The event is a fundraiser for the Festival of Arts, a nonprofit organization that promotes appreciation for the arts through arts education, exhibitions, scholarships and grants. Acura generously donated a brand new Acura ZDX to be raffled off. Tickets were sold throughout the 2011 summer arts season, and on Saturday night the winning ticket was pulled by Mr. Marx. The winner of the Acura ZDX was Arick Gale of Dana Point, California who was present. The crowd cheered in delight when he held up the winning ticket. Mr. Gale's daughter, six-year-old Jaimie, is a Pageant of the Masters volunteer. Funds raised totaled nearly $50,000 for the Festival of Arts.
Attendees were treated to a rare acoustic performance by host Richard Marx, who played with a string quartet to the delight of the crowd. His performance followed a red carpet arrival by many celebrity supporters of the Festival of Arts, including Cheryl Hines (CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), Oscar© winning actress, Marcia Gay Harden (Greg Grunberg (HEROES), Camryn Manheim (GHOST WHISPERER), Alfre Woodard (MEMPHIS BEAT), Sam Hennings (MEMPHIS BEAT), CCH Pounder (LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT & AVATAR), Jo Frost (SUPER NANNY), Robert David Hall (CSI), Vanessa Branch (THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN movies), Dorian Harewood (BOOMTOWN), Richard Karn (HOME IMPROVEMENT), Brenda Strong (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES), Gregory Itzin (THE MENTALIST, 24), Marion Ross (HAPPY DAYS), LeVar Burton (STAR TREK, READING RAINBOW), and others.
"Acura is a great supporter of the arts, and we are honored that they have stood behind the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts for so many years," said Fredric Sattler, president of the board of directors for the Festival of Arts. "We're also thrilled by the continued support of KOST Radio 103.5 and our mutual friend Mr. Richard Marx, who made the evening truly magical for all of our exhibiting artists, volunteers and visitors!"
The Acura Celebrity Event was free for the evening's Pageant of the Masters ticketholders and Festival of Arts visitors. Acura, KOST Radio 103.5 and Columbia Crest sponsored the event.
The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters are sponsored in part by Acura, Fidelity Investments, KOST Radio 103.5, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Vizio, Cox Communications and the Orange County Register. The Festival of Arts is a non-profit organization that produces The Festival of Arts - California's Premier Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters - Where Art Comes to Life. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org. The event is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California. Proceeds support the arts and art education in and about Laguna Beach.
Additional photos available upon request.
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