Hollywood Arts Council's 26th Annual Charlie Awards Set for Today

The Hollywood Arts Council's 26th Annual Charlie Awards will take place at The Blossom Room in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel at noon today, March 29, 2012. This year's honorees will include James Burrows, Cirque du Soleil, Feast of San Gennaro Los Angeles, The Ricard Montalban Theatre, Hollywood Center Studios and Eric Garcetti.

The awards will be presented by Ted Danson Hector Elizando and Mariette Hartley with more to be announced.

Entertainment will be provided by three animation characters from Cirque du Soleil's "IRIS" at The Kodak Theatre and Norm Panto, accordion player extraordinaire, visiting From The Feast of San Gennaro Los Angeles.

Nyla Arslanian, President of the Hollywood Arts Council said: "Although this is a celebration of creative accomplishment in Hollywood, it also serves as a reminder to our community that thousands of elementary school children here do not have access to art or artistic instruction. The Charlie Awards provide support for worthy and necessary community efforts. We are excited to continue our tradition of presenting the 26th Annual Charlie Awards in the home of the first Academy Awards at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel."

James Burrows (Inaugural Television Arts Award)

James Burrows is one of television's most honored and respected creative talents. Over his distinguished career, Burrows has been the recipient of 10 Emmy Awards, four Directors Guild of America Awards and the 1996 American Comedy Awards' Creative Achievement Award. In 2006 he was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Science's Hall of Fame and was honored by the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival with their Career Tribute Award. He has been the recipient of 21 nominations for the Director's Guild of America Award, thus making him the most nominated director in the history of television at the Guild. A few of the many shows he is known for are "Cheers," "Will & Grace," "Frasier," "Friends," "Wings," "Night Court," "Taxi," "Dear John," "Dharma & Greg" and "Mike & Molly."

Cirque du Soleil's "Iris" (Entertainment Arts Award)

Written and directed by Philippe Decouflé with a brilliant musical score written by composer Danny Elfman, "Iris" is a lyrical, fanciful, kinetic foray into the seventh art. Bringing together dance, acrobatics, live video, filmed sequences and animation, the show takes spectators on a voyage through the history of cinema and its genres, taking them into the heart of the movie-making process. From illustration to animation, black and white to color, silent films to talkies, spectators witness the poetic construction/deconstruction of this art as an object and as a way of transcending reality.

Feast of San Gennaro Los Angeles (Cultural Arts Award)

Hosted by popular television personality, Jimmy Kimmel of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," and podcaster, Adam Carolla, the Feast of San Gennaro Los Angeles celebrates Italian culture, food and entertainment, and features live music, street performers, strolling musicians, a kid's corner, and many rides and games. In addition to sampling wine from local wineries and food from some of Los Angeles' best Italian restaurants, guests are invited to learn recipes from the cooking stage and play bocce ball and bingo with some of Hollywood's Italian-American celebrities.

The Ricardo Montalbán Theatre (Theatre Arts Award)

The Ricardo Montalbán Theatre is the embodiment of the late Ricardo Montalbán's dream to provide the skills for a successful career in the performing arts. The Theatre and the Foundation are partnered with performing arts groups such as the Harmony Project, The Lula Washington Dance Company and the UDLA. On a more commercial level, "Selena," Culture Clash's "Zorro in Hell," "The Who's Tommy," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "A Night Without Monty Python" (with Eric Idle and other stars), "An Evening with Comedian Billy Connolly," and most recently a two-week run of John Leguizamo's "Ghetto Klown" have been presented at The Ricardo Montalbán Theatre.

Hollywood Center Studios (Hollywood Arts Award)

Hollywood Center Studios has a rich and colorful history that mirrors the development of Hollywood and the growth of the entertainment industry. The studio has played host to some of the most notable productions of the past century, including such iconic television shows as "I Love Lucy," "The Addams Family," "Jeopardy" and "Mad TV," and classic film productions such as "When Harry Met Sally" and "The Player." In recent years, Hollywood Center Studios has continued to grow and modernize to support its large television clientele, which includes Disney ("The Wizards of Waverly Place," "Jessie") and HBO ("True Blood"). Hollywood Center Studios remains a vital part of the Hollywood community and a place where entertainment history continues to be made every day.

Eric Garcetti (Special Recognition)

Currently serving his third term as Los Angeles Councilmember for District 13, Eric Garcetti is a fourth generation Angeleno who in 2001 became the youngest city councilmember in the city's history. Garcetti was unanimously elected as Council President in December 2005 and served in that capacity until December 2011. As the city council representative for the central Hollywood area, he has been at the forefront of the renaissance of Hollywood. He is an ardent supporter of the arts and an accomplished jazz pianist.

The Event Committee Members are Nyla Arslanian, Oscar Arslanian, Nancy J Brown, Tony Clark, Carol Connors, Kate Langrall Folb, Ira Handelman, Joni Labaqui, Patti Negri, Deanna-Marie Smith and Joel Thurm. The Event Sponsors are Title Sponsor: James and Deborah Burrows Foundation, Gold: DeVito Family Trust, Discover Hollywood Magazine, Paramount Pictures, Laura and Larry Worchell, Silver: Alliance Residential Company, Bronze: Capitol Records, Classic Arts Showcase, COP Communications, LA, Inc., Millennium Partners/Argent Ventures, Sunset Gower/Sunset Bronson Studios, The Ricardo Montalbán Theatre & The Walt Disney Company. The Table Sponsors are Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Nike, Robertson Properties, Rose Breast Cancer Foundation & San Gennaro Festival.

The Annual Charlie Awards help support Project S.O.A.R. (Students Overcoming All Risks), the Hollywood Arts Council's After School Art Workshops held in eight Hollywood area elementary schools, and its Annual Children's Festival of the Arts held each August at Paramount Pictures. Celebrity guests will present awards to individuals and companies for their significant contributions to the arts in Hollywood.

An Online Auction for one-of-kind celebrity items, shows, arts, etc. is being held at www.biddingforgood.com/hollywoodartscouncil in advance of the Charlie Awards. Please visit online for details.

The catered fundraising Awards Show Luncheon is open to the general public. Tickets are $100 each. For reservations and further information, call the Hollywood Arts Council at 323-871-ARTS (323-871-2787) and visit the website www.hollywoodartscouncil.org. Valet Parking is available.

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