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Looks like Oscar Night festivities will sweep the country more this year than ever before. Our best source reports Oscar Night America (ONA), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' grassroots program that enables local charities to host glamorous Oscar viewing parties and raise money for their organizations, kicks off its 16th year in 2009.
Even in the best of times, the need for financial support keeps growing. So this year we're especially gratified to have so many cities and charities participating in Oscar Night America," said Academy Executive Director Bruce Davis.
On Sunday, February 22, 52 cities including first-timer Grand Rapids , Michigan, will host official Oscar viewing parties during the 81st Academy Awards ceremony. The events will all feature the live broadcast of the Awards presentation on the ABC Television Network.
In addition, to Grand Rapids, ONA 2009 locations are Atlanta,
Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnatti,
Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Greenville,
Hartford, Honolulu, Houston, Inidanapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas,
Lewisburg, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Omaha, Orlando, Palm Beach, Palm Springs, Philadeplhia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence ,Raleigh, Richmond, Sacaramento, St, Louis, Salt lake City, San Anotnio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Springfield (MO), Tampa, Tucson and Washington DC.
Most parties are black-tie affairs, though some are less formal. Some party goers dress up as famous couples, and some events feature limousine arrivals and red carpets complete with local celebrities, paparazzi and press interviews for arriving guests. To set these parties apart from the thousands of other events taking place on Oscar Night, each ONA party receives from the Academy copies of the official commemorative poster and the official Oscar show program. Only one charity party in a given market may participate in ONA. Events are entirely produced by local non-profit organizations, with the active participation of the local ABC-TV affiliate station.
Last year 51 charities, hosted viewing parties for the 80th Academy Awards, raising ore than $3.3 million, all of it remaining in local communities. With close to 16,000 guests attending nationwide, ONA 2008 benefited such charities as American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, Ronald Mc Donald House, Special Olympics, the United Way and the Ellie Fund for Breast Cancer Research. For more details visit Oscars.org
Christian McKenzie is an Editor, Journalist and Film Producer based in New York and London. She has worked with IMG Fashion, Future Proof Productions, Acolyte Films, and Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation. For more information, visit ChristianMcKenzie.com
A life-long New Yorker currently residing in Maine, Richard has employed his writing and artistic talents in a wide variety of professions and projects. He presently does music promotion for underground artists, is a tireless community activist/organizer who has worked on several high-profile political and civil rights campaigns, and is also himself a musician who has performed in numerous bands, done some studio session work, and currently makes instructional guitar and bass playing videos.
George T. Wilson aka Georgeo is the owner of a small boutique PR agency Mangeo Public Relations Group which caters to a select group of clientele who are a brand or on thier way to becoming one. He has been involved in the entertainment field for a number of years and first got his start in the industry as a dancer/ choreographer of his own production company. With his passion for life he is inspired to greatness by walking in his destiny without apology .
New York based Lifestyle Consultant Peggie Walker is on a quest! As Executive Editor of this very blog (The Quest for "it") Peggie has recently re-ignited her longtime passions in the areas of inter-generational beauty, fashion, lifestyle and culture. Look for articles that reflect her quest as well as that of others. Some things borrowed, some things new some things old....here's wishing ALL your dreams come true.
The Quest for "it "welcomes our first official Guest Blogger on film, Sharon Abella. Sharon is a true girl about town reporting on Film premieres from the red carpet to the after parties. Coverage for 2007 includes: The Kite Runner, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street etc.
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