The Philadelphia Freedom Concert and Ball, a landmark HIV/AIDS awareness event and fundraiser that is expected to draw 1.5 million people this year, will boast significant star power on July 4th.
Headlined by Sir
Elton John, Hairspray's Bruce Vilanch and comedic actor Wayne Brady will serve as co-hosts for the event, with sports legend Billie Jean King as a
presenter. The three join a lineup that includes Canadian rock n' roll
icon Bryan Adams (the first artist to open the American side of Live
Aid in Philadelphia), R&B diva Patti LaBelle broadcasting legend Walter Conkrite, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, and singer/songwriter
Rufus Wainwright.The Sunoco Philadelphia Freedom Concert is slated to be the largest, free outdoor HIV/AIDS Awareness event ever held. Starting at 8:25 PM in front of thehiladelphia Museum of Art, and capped by a
fireworks display, the event will be preceded by the Philadelphia Freedom Ball fundraiser, from 5 to 8 PM in the main atrium of the
Philadelphia Museum of Art, featuring appearances by the celebrity
performers. Tickets to the Ball, as well as VIP tickets to the concert,
are still available. Proceeds from the event will support the Elton
John AIDS Foundation, which raises global awareness and resources for
HIV/AIDS prevention and care services, and the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld
Fund, which will allocate funds to Philadelphia region HIV/AIDS service
provider organizations. Funds are being raised through sponsorship,
tickets to the Ball and concessions at the event.
Brady, who has been seen on Broadway in Chicago, hosted "The Wayne Brady Show" for two years, as well as winning and Emmy and earning four nominations for his improvisational work on "Whose Line is It Anyway?" Vilanch currently plays Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, and has written for the Quadruple Crown of award shows--the Oscars, Tonys, Emmys and Grammys. Also known for his appearances on "Hollywood Squares," Vilanch has co-written 15 Academy Awards telecasts, and won 6 Emmys. John is the composer of The Lion King, Aida and the West End smash Billy Elliot. Of course, he has also been a leading rock star for decades, and his hits include "Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer," "Candle in the Wind," and more. King is the tennis legend who beat out Bobby Riggs in the seminal Battle of the Sexes match in 1973, helping to break ground for female athletes.
Vilanch and John (who was recently knighted) and King are heavily involved in AIDS-related and philanthropic work, with Vilanch working for AIDS Project Los Angeles, Project Angel Food, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Project Inform and countless others. John is the founder and chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, an international non-profit organization that has distributed more than $50 million in
grants worldwide. King is a member of the Elton John AIDS Foundation Board and is the founder of Billie Jean King World TeamTennis Charities.The Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund was established in 2004 to fund programs
that foster education about HIV/AIDS, fight prejudice and
discrimination, or deliver services to people living with or at risk
for HIV/AIDS, with a mission of translating the best of contemporary
social and medical science into change that protects, enhances, and
saves lives. Hirschfeld was a German Jewish lawyer and activist who
founded the first gay rights organization in history, launching the
movement in Europe over 100 years ago.
Tickets to the
Philadelphia Freedom Ball range from $1000 - $2500 per person, and are
being sold on a first-come, first-served basis as quantity is limited.
VIP Concert tickets are available for $500. Tickets may be purchased (as well as donations made) by
calling 800. 917. 4389 or by visiting http://www.phillyfreedom.net/. For travel information and special Philly Freedom Hotel packages, visit http://www.gophila.com/.
