Ben Vereen and Ronan Tynan to Headline Opening Ceremonies of 2004 International VSA arts Festival at Kennedy Center.Entertainment Editors WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2004 American Express American Express (NYSE: AXP), sometimes known as "AmEx" or "Amex", is a diversified global financial services company, headquartered in New York City. The company is best known for its credit card, charge card and traveler's cheque businesses. , Bell South, Kmart, and Pfizer are among latest companies to sponsor Festival celebrating disability and the arts VSA arts VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. It was originally called Very Special Arts. Although VSA no longer explicitly acts as an acronym, the three letters of the name are intended to represent "Vision of an inclusive , the world's leading arts and disability organization, announced today that entertainers Ben Vereen Ben Vereen (born October 10, 1946) in Miami, Florida, is a Tony Award-winning, Golden Globe ,and Emmy Award-nominated American actor, dancer, and singer who has appeared in numerous Broadway theatre shows. Vereen graduated from Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts. and Ronan Tynan Ronan Tynan, MB BCh BAO (born 1960 in Dublin, Ireland) is a popular tenor, singing in the classical Irish style. He is most famous for his renditions of God Bless America performed at Yankee Stadium during important New York Yankee games, such as Opening Day, nationally-televised will perform at the opening ceremonies of the 2004 International VSA arts Festival to be held on June 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the name by which it is known, (or, as named on the building itself, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts but, locally called the The Kennedy Center . The performers will share the stage with dancers, musicians, and vocalists with disabilities from across the nation and globe who are gathering in Washington, D.C. for the Festival, including 11-year-old jazz pianist Matt Savage
Tickets to opening ceremonies are available by calling the Kennedy Center at (800) 444-1324/(202) 467-4600 or through the website www.kennedy-center.org. "We are absolutely thrilled that Ben and Ronan will join us for the Festival opening ceremonies and can't wait to see the terrific show that they and our VSA arts performers have planned," said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. "In addition to being amazing artists, these men are inspirations to us all in their unwavering commitment to helping others face personal challenges. We are truly fortunate to have them join us to celebrate the vibrant and unifying role the arts play in all our lives." VSA arts also announced today the addition of several new sponsors that have generously committed to contribute to the Festival: Altria American Express BellSouth Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Airlines, Inc. Downtown DC Business Improvement District Enesco Group, Inc. Georgetown Business Improvement District Golden Triangle Business Improvement District The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Kmart Corporation Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation National Park Service Panasonic Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative The Rasky/Baerlein Group Sony Music Entertainment The City Museum Union Station The United States Department of Education WAMU WVSA arts connection About the Performers Ben Vereen, a renowned singer, actor, and dancer, has been a staple on Broadway, television and the lecture circuit, where he speaks to audiences on various topics including overcoming adversity. He has performed in Broadway hits including Hair, Sweet Charity, and Jesus Christ Superstar and on television shows including Roots, Touched by an Angel and Webster. In addition to his love of performing, Vereen is a dedicated humanitarian and has received national and international recognition for his efforts. His many accolades include the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award, Israel's Humanitarian Award and the NAACP's Image Award, which he received twice in consecutive years. Ronan Tynan, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland and one of the Three Irish Tenors, was born with a lower limb disability and when he was 20, his legs were amputated below the knee after an auto accident caused complications. Tynan became the first disabled person ever admitted to Ireland's National College of Physical Education, and then earned a medical degree from Trinity College, specializing in Orthopedic Sports Injuries Sports Injuries Definition Sports injuries result from acute trauma or repetitive stress associated with athletic activities. Sports injuries can affect bones or soft tissue (ligaments, muscles, tendons). . Tynan went on to pursue a successful singing career in which he has become one of the best-known Irish singers worldwide. Matt Savage, an 11-year-old piano artist with autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. , has been studying jazz since 1999 and performing for amazed audiences since 2001 as the leader of The Matt Savage Trio. He has met and played for many of jazz's greatest musicians and been featured for his genius in national and international media, including the Today show, 20/20 and Time magazine. About the 2004 International VSA arts Festival Held every five years, the 2004 International VSA arts Festival will include artistic performances, exhibitions, and educational seminars in venues throughout Washington, D.C., June 9-12. The premiere event of its kind, the Festival provides free and open access to top-quality arts experiences for artists and patrons alike. Performances will take place at a variety of venues, from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to Georgetown Waterfront Park, from Union Station to Farragut Square and Freedom Plaza. Visual artworks will be exhibited at Union Station, the Kennedy Center, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (IATA: DCA, ICAO: KDCA, FAA LID: DCA) is a public airport located three miles (5 km) south of the central business district of Washington, D.C., in Arlington County, Virginia, United States. , The City Museum of Washington, D.C., and the National Press Club. For more information, please visit www.vsartsfestival.org. About VSA arts VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith Jean Kennedy Smith was born Jean Ann Kennedy on February 20, 1928 in Brookline, Massachusetts, the eighth of the nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. . VSA arts is creating a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. Nearly five million people with disabilities participate in VSA arts programs every year through a network of affiliates in every state and over 60 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vsarts.org. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion