As previously announced, Rosie's Theater Kids (RTKids) will host their 13th Annual Gala Celebration in New York City, honoring seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer Gloria Estefan, and New York City philanthropists John and Margo Catsimatidis, on Wednesday, September 28, 2016.
Actor Tony Danza will be on hand to present fellow Police Athletic League (PAL) Board Member, John Catsimatidis; and his wife, Margo Catsimatidis, with the honor. Tony Award-winning actor BD Wong; How I Met Your Mother actors Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka; radio personality Elvis Duran; musician Steven Van Zandt and his wife, The Sopranos actress Maureen Van Zandt; will also join this year's gala, where proceeds will benefit New York City public school students. As usual, the evening will be hosted by Rosie O'Donnell and will feature performances by RTKids.
"We are thrilled to pay tribute to Gloria, John and Margo," Lori Klinger, Co-Founder of Rosie's Theater Kids, said of the evening's honorees. "The Catsimatidis' dedication to the children of New York City, coupled with their belief in the mission of RTKids, is remarkable. And Gloria is an extraordinary inspiration to our students, with the rhythms of On Your Feet! lighting up the stage around the corner from Maravel Arts Center."
As part of the gala's fundraising efforts, starting September 20, 2016 and running through October 6, 2016, RTKids will also launch its annual online auction through CharityBuzz, where fans will have the rare opportunity to bid for a chance to see Hamilton and meet Javier Muñoz backstage; see On Your Feet! sitting right next to Gloria Estefan herself; have lunch with Sheila Nevins, President at HBO Documentary Films; meet fashion icon Iris Apfel; and sit in on Howard Stern's "The Wrap-Up Show."
As one of the largest arts-in-education programs serving New York City public school students, Rosie's Theater Kids is one of the only organizations that provide all of its core services free of charge to the students and the schools. Since its founding in 2003, RTKids has influenced the lives of over 80,000 NYC school students from grades pre-K through 12th grade - many of whom have never had the opportunity to see a Broadway show or experience the thrill of seeing live art performances. As the recipient of the 2015 National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award, RTKids also provides thoughtful mentoring and structured academic guidance with the goal to inspire excellence, motivate learning, build confidence and spark a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
To join in celebrating RTKids and saluting Estefan and the Catsimatidises, tickets and tables can be purchased online via RTKids' website, or by phone at 914-579-1000 or email at RTKids@buckleyhallevents.com. Tickets begin at $500 per person, with all proceeds going to RTKids.
Rosie's Theater Kids (RTKids) is a nationally-recognized arts education organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children through the arts. RTKids serves students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience theater, impacting the trajectory of their lives by providing comprehensive classes in music, dance and drama, thoughtful mentoring and structured academic guidance. Their goal is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, uplift the human spirit, build confidence, and spark a lifelong appreciation for the arts. For more information on Rosie's Theater Kids, visit www.rosiestheaterkids.org.
Photo Credit: Rosalie O'Connor
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