Downtown Alive `99 Festival Celebrates Opening of STAPLES Center.LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1999-- Event Features Free STAPLES Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. Tours, Live Music, Food, Children's Activities, Interactive Sports Games, Arts & Crafts A free all-day, Downtown sports and entertainment extravaganza -- featuring live continuous music headlined by pop singer Chris Isaak This biographical article or section needs additional references for verification. Please help [ to improve this article] by adding additional sources. Unverifiable material about living persons must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. -- will celebrate the opening of the new STAPLES Center on Saturday, Oct. 16. Downtown Alive '99 Presented by Pacific Bell -- Sports and Entertainment Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Figueroa Street Figueroa Street is a street in Los Angeles County, California. It runs in a north/south direction for a length of more than 30 miles (48 km) between the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock and Wilmington. , between 9th and 11th streets. A pyrotechnics pyrotechnics (pī'rōtĕk`nĭks, pī'rə–), technology of making and using fireworks. Gunpowder was used in fireworks by the Chinese as early as the 9th cent. show at the conclusion of Isaak's performance highlights the close of the Festival, intended to showcase the new sports and entertainment arena and Downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or -- The Heart of the City -- to the public. Other activities include: free tours of STAPLES Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Children's Arts & Entertainment Area, a Sports Experience Area with interactive games and activities sponsored by professional sports The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. teams, in addition to numerous food and crafts booths. Timothy J. Leiweke, president of STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). hockey team stated: "Our spectacular new arena is a source of immense civic pride, not to mention will bring decades of enjoyment and entertainment to local fans. "We think it is extremely fitting to invite all Angelenos to take part in the Downtown Alive `99 festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. , to tour the new home of the L.A. Lakers, Clippers, Kings and Avengers, receive a `behind the scenes' view, and enjoy a day of music, food and sports." "STAPLES Center already represents one of Downtown Los Angeles' `crown jewels crown jewels Ornaments used at the coronation of a monarch and the formal ensigns of monarchy worn or carried on state occasions, as well as collections of personal jewelry consolidated by European sovereigns as valuable assets of their royal houses and the offices they ,'" said Carol E. Schatz, president and chief executive officer of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, which is organizing the festival. "What better way to commemorate the opening than to take to the streets and celebrate and invite all of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, to join in, too?" Arena Dedication, Ribbon Cutting The day will begin at 8:45 a.m. in Star Plaza at 11th and Figueroa with an invocation and blessing led by Cardinal Roger Mahoney, assisted by a group of interfaith clergy and other dignitaries, to which the general public is invited. Following the blessing, Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan and other officials will join Leiweke to cut the ribbon officially opening STAPLES Center to the world. From R&B To Beethoven Performances on multiple stages will feature artists spanning a variety of musical genres including: poetic contemporary pop singer Kendall Payne; Latin performer Tito Puente Jr.; and English Beat's Dave Wakeling; plus salsa band Johnny Polanco; pop-band Joe's Band; '70s music experts Funkee Hippeez; modern alternative band Joe 90; and reggae band Urban Dread. Additional artists performing jazz, country, and pop music will be announced shortly. Sponsored by Star 98.7 Radio, headliner Isaak's performance will cap the day of entertainment with his unique brand of vocals at 9 p.m. on the main stage. An avid surfer and accomplished actor, Isaak began his recording career in the mid-80s with such CDs as "Silvertone" and "Chris Isaak." His breakthrough CD, "Heart-Shaped World," was released in 1989, and his latest collection, "Speak of the Devil," has just been released. Sports Experience Area In addition to music, sports fans are invited to play interactive sports games at booths sponsored by the Lakers, Kings, Clippers, Galaxy, Dodgers, Sparks and Avengers. Sports personalities will also be on hand to sign autographs and chat with fans. For Tots & Teens Children and their parents will enjoy watching street performers, talking with costumed characters, and participating in interactive displays sponsored by the Los Angeles Children's Museum and the Natural History Museum. Food & Craft Booths To date, more than 70 vendors have signed on to place booths at Downtown Alive '99. During the event, visitors will be able to purchase a variety of ethnic and traditional American foods and beverages, and shop for art and crafts, many of which were made by local artisans. Participating restaurants include Ciudad, Pacific Grille, New Otani Hotel, California Pizza Kitchen California Pizza Kitchen (NASDAQ: CPKI, known within the food industry as CPK) is a casual dining restaurant chain that specializes in California-style pizza. The restaurant was started in 1985 by attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax in Beverly Hills, California, , Kachina kachina (kəchē`nə), spirit of the invisible life forces of the Pueblo of North America. The kachinas, or kachinam, are impersonated by elaborately costumed masked male members of the tribes who visit Pueblo villages the first half of the Grill, City Pier, Robeks Juice, and 7th & Fig, among others. Broad Spectrum of Sponsors Reflecting a broad community and corporate commitment to Downtown Los Angeles, some 30 institutions are underwriting the event. In addition to the festival's presenting sponsor Pacific Bell, event sponsors include: Athletes Direct.com, Central City Association, Cushman & Wakefield of California, Downtown Center Business Improvement District, Downtown L.A. Motors, Equity Office Properties, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Metropolitan Water District and the University of Southern California The U.S. News & World Report ranked USC 27th among all universities in the United States in its 2008 ranking of "America's Best Colleges", also designating it as one of the "most selective universities" for admitting 8,634 of the almost 34,000 who applied for freshman admission . Also participating in the event are STAPLES Center founding partners Anheuser-Busch, Bank of America
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC TYO: 8648 ) is the largest commercial bank in the United States in terms of deposits, and the largest company of its kind in the world. , DirectTV, Fox Entertainment Group, Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Morning daily newspaper. Established in 1881, it was purchased and incorporated in 1884 by Harrison Gray Otis (1837–1917) under The Times-Mirror Co. (the hyphen was later dropped from the name). , McDonald's, Pepsi-Cola, Sempra Energy, Staples Inc., Toyota Motor Sales and United Airlines. Participating radio stations include 92.3 "The Beat" Radio, Arrow 93 FM Radio, KFWB Radio, KLSX Radio, KRLA Radio, La Opinion, Mega 100 FM Radio, Star 98.7 Radio and Chancellor Media Group. Downtown Alive '99 is being produced by Go West Productions. Festival Attendees Park Free Several parking lots operated by and located near STAPLES Center will offer free parking the day of the event. Complimentary parking also can be found at: Macy's Plaza, 7th and Flower streets; Citicorp Plaza, 7th and Figueroa streets. Surrounding lots will also be available at standard rates. For up-to-the-minute Festival information, call 213/624-2146, or log on to the Web at www.downtownla.com. The Downtown Center BID is a coalition of property owners united in their commitment to enhance the quality of life in Downtown Los Angeles. The organization aims to help the 65-block central business district -- The Heart of the City -- achieve its full potential. Nearly 250 property owners provide funds to the district via a special tax assessment. Further information on Downtown events and real estate opportunities is available at www.downtownla.com. |
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